By Stephen McCarthy
Should You Waive the Home Inspection? Know the Risks Before You Decide
In today’s competitive market, you might feel pressured to waive your home inspection to make your offer more appealing. But before you do, it’s important to understand the risks involved.
A home inspection is designed to uncover defects, explain how the property functions, and estimate future expenses. Without it, you’re essentially flying blind on one of the biggest investments of your life. Imagine moving in only to discover the roof needs immediate replacement or the heating system fails on day one.
There are exceptions. If you're an experienced buyer with a construction background, you may feel confident assessing the property yourself. Or if you're buying a teardown or planning a full renovation, your focus may be on the land or structure rather than the current condition of the home.
But for most buyers—especially first-timers—a professional inspection is essential. A good inspector will thoroughly evaluate the property, inside and out, identifying issues you might not notice until you’ve already moved in. They’ll also help you understand your responsibilities as a homeowner, like where the water shut-off is or whether the hot water tank is due for replacement.
Over the years, I’ve attended hundreds of inspections and seen how valuable they are—not just for uncovering problems, but for giving buyers peace of mind. I’ve also seen inspections reveal serious issues that led buyers to walk away, thanks to a contingency that protected their investment.
Even with new construction, inspections are important. They help create a punch list of items for the builder to address. For older homes, inspectors may focus on structural integrity and specific concerns you raise.
If you're worried about losing out on a home, consider alternatives:
- Schedule an inspection before making an offer
- Limit the inspection to specific concerns or a dollar threshold (e.g., only issues over $10,000)
Home inspections are a critical part of the buying process. Before waiving one, carefully consider your ability to handle post-purchase surprises.
Thinking about making an offer?
Let’s talk strategy. Contact Stephen McCarthy today to discuss how to protect your investment while staying competitive in the market.
