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The Importance of a Home Inspection When Buying a Home?

In recent years, some buyers have been tempted to waive home inspections to make their offers more competitive or to ease the seller’s stress during a sale. While it might seem like a strategic move, I always advise my clients against waiving an inspection. The reason is simple: you never know what hidden issues a home may have, and those problems could end up costing you thousands of dollars—or more—down the line.

A seller’s disclosure can provide helpful information, such as the age of the roof, HVAC system, water heater, and other major components. However, sellers often aren’t aware of every issue in the home, and some problems may not be included in the disclosure. Inspections can uncover critical details about plumbing, electrical systems, windows, radon levels, termites, and more—issues that may not be immediately visible. Knowing these details upfront can help you plan for immediate repairs or future expenses, especially if you’re considering renovations or updates.

Waiving an inspection might feel like a shortcut in today’s competitive market, but discovering significant issues after closing can leave you in a financial bind. A thorough inspection allows you to negotiate repairs, request a seller’s assist, or adjust the purchase price—saving you from unexpected costs and stress after you move in.

Real-Life Examples of Why Inspections Matter

Let me share a few examples from my experience that highlight the value of home inspections:

• Radon Discovery: When I helped my parents buy a home, they initially didn’t think a radon test was necessary since the house was built on a slab without a basement. I disagreed and insisted on paying for the radon test. It turned out the radon levels were dangerously high, and we negotiated with the seller to remediate the issue before closing. That decision likely saved my parents thousands of dollars and gave them peace of mind.
• Foundation Issues: An investor client of mine was purchasing a triplex in West Philly. During the inspection, we discovered that the house was slightly leaning forward due to an unsecured foundation. While my client was open to addressing the issue, the repairs would have been time-consuming and expensive. The seller refused to negotiate, so my client walked away from the deal and got their full deposit back—avoiding a potentially costly mistake.
• Roof Misrepresentation: A client buying a single-family home in Bucks County was told via the seller’s disclosure that the roof was only five years old. However, the home inspector discovered that the roof was actually 20 years old by checking the material’s manufacturing dates. Since my client hadn’t budgeted for a roof replacement, we renegotiated and secured a large seller’s assist. The seller also avoided potential legal consequences for the misinformation, and my client avoided an unexpected expense.

These are just a few of the many examples where inspections uncovered issues that could have caused significant headaches or financial strain.