Why You Should Never Skip a Home Inspection (And What to Do Instead)

If you're buying a home—especially in a hot market—you might feel pressure to waive your home inspection just to get your offer accepted. Maybe you've already submitted multiple offers without success, and you’re tempted to do “whatever it takes” to get this one across the finish line.

But skipping the inspection? That’s a risk you don’t want to take.

The Importance of a Home Inspection

Once your offer is accepted, a home inspector will assess the condition of the house. While inspection details vary by state, they typically include major components like:

• Roof condition

• Foundation and structural integrity

• Plumbing and electrical systems

• Heating and air conditioning

• The home’s exterior (e.g., rot or damage)

• Safety features, like smoke detectors

In New York, this inspection takes place after you have a non-binding accepted offer and before signing the purchase contract. That means you still have the option to walk away if something serious is uncovered.

The inspection serves several purposes:

• It helps you avoid surprises that weren’t visible during your walkthrough.

• It gives you negotiating power—you can request repairs or credits.

• It becomes your post-closing project list so you know what to tackle once the home is yours.

Skipping this step can mean inheriting thousands of dollars in unexpected repairs. According to data, about 1 in 5 buyers are skipping inspections to be more appealing to sellers—but that decision often comes back to bite them.

A Smarter Way to Make a Competitive Offer

If you want your offer to stand out without waiving your right to protect yourself, there's a better way:

• Include a home inspection contingency, but state that it will be for informational purposes only. Meaning you won't be using items uncovered in an inspection to re-negotiate any part of your offer. This is the strategy we are seeing most buyers use in today's market.

• Commit to completing the inspection right away, often within 24–48 hours.

• Make it clear that you’re not going to nickel-and-dime the seller—you simply want to ensure there are no major red flags before signing the contract.

This strategy shows sellers that you’re serious and committed, while still giving you the opportunity to uncover deal-breaking issues like foundation problems, water damage, or faulty wiring. A Home Inspection can be the best money spent as it provides confidence in your investment and helps you know what to expect while owning the property.

Be Prepared Before You Start House Hunting

The offer and negotiation process can move fast. If you haven’t taken the time to understand how it works, it can feel overwhelming and pressured.

That’s why it's so important to sit down with your buyer’s agent before you ever start touring homes. Together, you can:

• Review the full home buying process

• Understand key terms like contingencies, contract period, and closing

• Plan for what happens after your offer is accepted

• Discuss how to strengthen your offer without sacrificing key protections

An inspection isn’t just a technicality—it’s your chance to avoid costly headaches and gain peace of mind. It’s your final opportunity to say, “Yes, I’m comfortable moving forward.”

Let’s connect and talk about smart ways to make your offer competitive—without putting your investment at risk.