Should I order a home inspection?

I recommend getting one done.

A home inspection is typically ordered by the buyer. It will include a thorough examination of the major systems and components of the home, including the roof, foundation, plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling systems, and more. The inspector will provide you with a detailed report of their findings, which can help you make an informed decision about whether to move forward with the purchase of the property.

While a home inspection may come at an additional cost, it can ultimately save you a lot of money and headaches in the long run by identifying any major issues before you buy the house

You should always order a home inspection unless You're absolutely set on a particular home and the only way for Your offer to be accepted is to waive it.. If You're financing, this may not even be an option. It is always better to seek inspectors Yourself rather than be referred by Agents, also ask them what areas they cover and how long they take. I have been to inspections that take 30 minutes and others that took 3 hours and would comfortably say that the 3 hour one was much better and more thorough. I would also check whether the home was a "flip". Feel free to reach out if You have any questions!

Hi! inspection is a buyer's expense and normally takes place during the attorney review/due diligence period. Even though it is not mandatory, and we're seeing a lot of buyers waiving home inspection in this market, in my opinion it is EXTREMELY important to have a full understanding of the property youre planning on purchasing. The inspector will do a through inspection of the exterior, interior, roofing, appliances, plumbing, electric, etc. Based on the inspection, a buyer will decide if its a good idea to proceed with the sale, back out or request repair credits from the sellers. It's a good idea to have the report on you so you know what items to repair or focus on after the sale takes place. Hope this helps! if you have any other questions, I can be reached at 773-516-1111. I run a 25 broker team selling well over $150 million annually and do over 400+ transactions so extremely savvy when it comes to different scenarios. Good luck with your journey!

Yes, you are making one of the largest purchases of your life. Hire a professional to come in and take a look at it. If there is a big problem, you should be able to back out. If it is a small problem you should be able to either overlook it or get the seller to fix it. Once you are out of your inspection period you are obligated to complete the transaction.

https://www.nsmn.com/why-get-a-home-inspection/

Yes indeed you should have the house inspected for the sole purpose of having identified that you are not aware behind the walls, under the house or on the roof for example. The naked eye does not always see the problems when you are not trained

Unless you are an experienced contractor you should

A buyer should always have a home inspection conducted. As an agent I can assist with setting the inspections up.

I would recommend a home inspection although if it is a certain specific areas (HVAC, Roof, Structure etc) I would also hire a contractor with that expertise. Some inspectors suggest that in their reports , whereas some inspectors are certified in those areas . Do your homework as to who you hire and what the specialize in. Also like a lot of things in life “cheapest” isn’t always the route to go . Just my 2 cents .

Mike, yes, a home inspection is the best protection for you as a buyer so you know what you are purchasing. Even if you don't have the seller fix anything, you at a minimum know what the issues are in the house. Or you can use the home inspection for leverage with the seller.

A home inspection is a must. If you are a seller it is even more important. When you get the inspection up front it allows you to correct any helath and safety issues, and it allows you to give the interested buyers a heads up on any itmes on the report so they can make an infomred decision to offer.

Yes. A home inspection protects you from unexpected problems and costly repairs. It helps you make an informed decision and gives you leverage in negotiations. Even if the home looks good, hidden issues can exist.

It’s almost always wise to hire a professional home inspector. An inspector will thoroughly check the roof, foundation, plumbing, electrical and other major systems and give you a written report. This helps you understand the true condition of the property and negotiate repairs or credits with the seller.

In a hot market some buyers waive inspections to make their offer more attractive, but doing so exposes you to unexpected and expensive problems. The few hundred dollars spent on an inspection is minimal compared to your overall investment and can save you thousands down the road. Work with your agent to schedule a qualified inspector and attend the inspection so you can ask questions and learn more about the home.

In New York City, many buyers purchase co-op apartments, and in most cases, a traditional home inspection is not necessary.

Why inspections are often skipped for co-ops:
1. You’re not buying the building structure, you’re buying shares in a corporation.
2. Major systems—roof, boiler, exterior walls, plumbing stacks are maintained by the co-op

When I do recommend a home inspection for a co-op:

1. Ground-floor units to check for water intrusion, drainage issues, or foundation-related concerns

2. Top-floor units to assess potential roof leaks or ceiling water damage

When inspections are essential:

Single-family homes
Townhouses
Multi-family properties
Condos where you’re responsible for more than just the interior

In those cases, skipping an inspection can be costly, especially with older properties common in New York City.

Yes. In most cases, absolutely.

A home inspection isn’t about nitpicking a house to death. It’s about understanding what you’re actually buying. I’ve seen brand-new builds with issues and 50-year-old homes that were rock solid. You don’t know which one you’re getting without an inspection.

An inspection gives you clarity, leverage, and the ability to make an informed decision. Sometimes it leads to repairs or credits. Sometimes it just confirms what you already suspected. Either way, you’re not guessing.

The only times I see buyers skip inspections are cash purchases, heavy fixer-uppers, or situations where the buyer fully understands construction and is prepared for surprises. Even then, most experienced buyers still inspect.

You’re spending hundreds of thousands of dollars. Spending a few hundred to understand the condition of the home is usually money well spent.

Short answer: yes, you should order a home inspection. Skipping it is almost never worth the risk—especially here in Colorado Springs.

I work in this market every day with the Behr & Behr Team, and I can tell you that homes in Colorado Springs often come with things you won’t catch during a walkthrough. Our climate, soil conditions, snow load, hail, and big temperature swings are tough on roofs, foundations, HVAC systems, and drainage. Even houses that look great on the surface can hide expensive issues.

A home inspection isn’t about killing the deal or nitpicking cosmetic stuff. It’s about understanding what you’re buying before you own it. Roof life, sewer lines, electrical panels, furnaces, grading, moisture issues—those are things buyers routinely miss without a professional inspection.

Yes, you can skip it. People do. When it works out, it’s usually because the buyer has construction experience, the home is brand new with strong warranties, or they’re financially prepared to handle surprise repairs. Most buyers aren’t in that position, and in Colorado Springs those surprises can get expensive fast.

It’s also a misconception that an inspection means you’re asking the seller to fix everything. Most of the time it’s simply about awareness, planning future maintenance, or negotiating a reasonable credit if something major comes up.

I’ve seen buyers skip inspections to be more competitive and later discover issues that cost $10,000, $20,000, or more after closing. That’s not uncommon here, especially with older homes or properties with deferred maintenance.

If you’re buying in Colorado Springs, a home inspection is one of the smartest parts of the process. It’s a small upfront cost that protects you from much bigger problems down the road.

Yes, you should get a professional home inspection. It helps uncover issues with the roof, foundation, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC before you are fully committed. When buyers call me or message me through www.homesforsaleinirvine.com asking if they should save a few hundred dollars by skipping the inspection, I strongly recommend that they do not. Even in competitive Irvine and Orange County markets, waiving an inspection increases your risk and can lead to some expensive surprises later.

Technically: You can skip it.
Practically: You usually shouldn’t.

Why inspections matter:
Reveals hidden issues (roof, foundation, electrical, plumbing)

Helps you:
Renegotiate price
Ask for repairs

Walk away if it’s a major problem
Inspections often cost $350–$500
One repair found can save you thousands

When buyers sometimes skip inspections:
New construction (even then, many still inspect)
Competitive multiple-offer situations
Investor purchases (still a calculated risk)

Smarter alternatives if competition is tight:
Informational-only inspection
Short inspection window
Limit repair requests
Pre-offer inspection (when possible)

Skipping an inspection means:
You’re accepting the home as-is, even if problems show up later.

Most regret stories in real estate start with:
“We skipped the inspection because we didn’t think we needed one.”

A home inspection is strongly recommended and not something to skip. Even in a hot market, it protects you from expensive surprises

You should absolutely have one! Do you due diligence, this is the most expensive purchase you make. You need to make sure you have checked out anything you can!

A home is a big investment. Doing a home inspection, besides pointing out any major issues, can also make you aware of maintenance and upkeep of a home, and what's important. Highly suggest doing one, and worth every penny.

Yes, I strongly recommend ordering a home inspection. A home inspection helps you understand the condition of the home beyond what you can see during a showing, and it can uncover issues with major systems like the roof, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, foundation, and more.

Even if a home looks well cared for, an inspection gives you clarity, peace of mind, and the opportunity to address concerns before closing. It’s one of the best ways to protect yourself and make an informed decision during the purchase process.

You can skip a home inspection… but you’re basically choosing to buy a house the way you’d buy a used car in the dark, during a thunderstorm, from a guy named “Trust Me.” 😄

Here’s the real talk.

What a home inspection actually does (and doesn’t do)

A general home inspection is a professional, top-to-bottom “condition check” of the home’s major systems—roof, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, foundation/crawlspace, attic, appliances, moisture issues, drainage, etc.

It’s not a guarantee and it’s not an engineering report. But it is your best shot at spotting expensive surprises before you own them.

When skipping an inspection is a bad idea

Most of the time, skipping is a gamble—especially if:

* The home is 10+ years old (systems start aging out)
* It’s on a crawlspace (moisture + wood rot + termites love crawlspaces)
* You’re buying **as-is** (you still want to know what “as-is” means)
* You’re using a VA loan (you’ll still want eyes on condition items, even though VA has its own appraisal standards)
* You don’t have a big “oops fund” for repairs after closing

When it might make sense to skip (rare, but possible)

Skipping can be reasonable if:

* It’s new construction and you’re doing at least a builder punch + 11-month warranty inspection (honestly, new homes still have issues—just different ones)
* You’re buying the property mainly for lot value and you’re prepared to renovate heavily or rebuild
* You’re competing in a multiple-offer situation and have a high risk tolerance and a solid backup plan financially

Even then, a smarter move is often: don’t waive it—modify it.

The “smart compromise” options (my favorite)

If you’re worried about being competitive or “nickel-and-diming” the seller, you can:

* Do an inspection for information only (you keep the right to walk if it’s scary, but you’re not asking for repairs)
* Limit repairs to major items only (roof, structural, HVAC, electrical safety, plumbing leaks, moisture/termite damage)
* Shorten the due diligence/inspection window (shows seriousness without going blind)

This keeps you protected without turning the deal into a repair rodeo.

Bottom line

If you’re buying a home you plan to live in, a home inspection is usually one of the highest ROI moves you can make. It’s a relatively small cost to potentially avoid:

* A $10K HVAC surprise
* Hidden moisture/wood rot
* Roof failure
* Electrical hazards
* Foundation/crawlspace nightmares

Skipping it is possible. It’s just not “free.” You’re simply choosing to pay later… with interest.

If you’re in North Carolina, especially in our crawlspace-heavy market, I’d strongly lean toward getting the inspection and negotiating smart—not emotional.

If you are a buyer, I highly recommend getting a home inspection, even for new construction. City inspectors are not home inspectors and are not as thorough as an actual home inspector. Like any profession, there are good inspectors and bad ones. Be sure to interview the inspector, or ask your agent to provide three of their top picks.

It is very important to have a home inspection done by the buyer's inspector. The buyer must hire a highly-qualified inspector who has plenty of experience, an eye for detail so nothing is missed, and loads of knowledge about all of the issues a buyer will encounter when doing due diligence. A thorough inspection will end up helping a buyer determine whether or not the cost of the important concerns are beyond the buyer's capacity to pay. So an inspection is vital for a buyer to have done before concluding the due diligence period.

In Virginia, a home inspection isn’t legally required, so you can choose to skip it. That said, inspections are strongly recommended because they give you a clearer picture of the home’s condition and help you avoid expensive surprises after closing.
From a practical standpoint, an inspection gives a Buyer leverage — whether that’s for negotiating repairs at Seller’s expense, gaining peace of mind, or identifying major issues that could affect your decision to move forward. In some competitive situations buyers do waive inspections, but that’s a strategic decision that should be made carefully and with a clear understanding of the risks.
Something else to consider is that the scope of an inspection can be tailored to the type of property — for example, a single-family home may warrant a full inspection, while a condo or co-op might justify a more limited inspection focused on the interior systems since common elements are typically handled by the co-op/association.
I hope this helps!

Yes, you should absolutely get a home inspection.
While technically you can skip it, choosing not to have a home inspection is one of the riskiest decisions you can make when buying a home. Here's why:
A home inspection protects your investment. For a few hundred dollars, a professional inspector will thoroughly evaluate the home's condition, including the roof, foundation, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and structural components. They'll identify issues you can't see during a walkthrough, from minor maintenance needs to major safety concerns or expensive repairs.
Knowledge is power (even if negotiation isn't). The inspection report gives you valuable information about the home's condition. In a less competitive market, you may be able to negotiate repairs with the seller, request a price reduction, or walk away from a bad deal. In a highly competitive market, you may not have leverage to negotiate after the inspection, but you'll still know what you're buying and can make an informed decision about whether to proceed.
You'll avoid costly surprises. Discovering after closing that you need a new roof, foundation work, or electrical upgrades can cost tens of thousands of dollars. An inspection helps you understand what you're getting into and plan accordingly.
What about pre-listing inspections? Sometimes sellers will have an inspection done before listing the home and provide that report to potential buyers. While this can be helpful information, keep in mind that it was ordered by the seller. You may still want your own inspection for peace of mind and to have an inspector working on your behalf.
The bottom line: Whether to get an inspection ultimately depends on your risk tolerance, market conditions, and your agent's strategic advice. In competitive markets, you may need to waive inspection contingencies to get your offer accepted, but that doesn't mean you can't still do an inspection for informational purposes. Work with your buyer's agent to determine the best approach for your specific situation and understand the risks you're taking on.

Hi Mike you don't have to have a home inspection. That is clearly up to the buyer whether they wish to get one or not. However, I would always recommend to have one done by a licensed inspector. They know what to look for and have skilled knowledge. It's only a few hundred dollars but could save thousands if they uncover deficiencies that you are unable to detect with the common eye.

This will depend on what is outlined in the purchase contract. I highly recommend ordering a home inspection. This is your chance to perform your due diligence and uncover any issues. Your agent will tell you the types of inspections that you can order.

Why Every Buyer Should Get a Home Inspection

A home inspection is one of the most important steps in protecting yourself when buying a home. Even if a property looks great on the surface, there can be hidden issues that only a trained inspector will catch.

✅ 1. Identify Hidden Problems Early

Homes can have issues that aren’t visible during a showing:

Roof damage

Foundation cracks

Electrical or plumbing defects

Mold or moisture problems

HVAC system failures

Catching these early can save you thousands and prevent major surprises after closing.

✅ 2. Strengthen Your Negotiation Power

If the inspector finds problems, you can:

Request repairs

Ask for a price reduction

Ask for seller credits toward closing costs

Walk away if the issues are too big

A good inspection gives you leverage.

✅ 3. Protect Your Financial Investment

A home is likely your biggest purchase.
A $400–$700 inspection can prevent:

Unexpected repair bills

Safety risks

Long-term structural problems

It’s a small cost for major financial protection.

✅ 4. Plan Future Repairs Intelligently

Even if the home is in good condition, an inspection helps you understand:

Remaining life of roof, furnace, water heater, etc.

Upcoming maintenance costs

How to budget for improvements

It sets realistic expectations for the years ahead.

✅ 5. Safety First

Inspectors check for:

Electrical hazards

Gas leaks

Carbon monoxide issues

Fire risks

Structural weaknesses

This ensures your new home is safe for you and your family.

✅ 6. Peace of Mind

Buying a home is stressful.
A thorough inspection provides confidence that you’re making a smart, informed decision.

⭐ Bottom Line

A home inspection isn’t just recommended—it’s a critical safeguard that protects your finances, your safety, and your peace of mind. Even in competitive markets, skipping an inspection can expose you to significant risks.

If you are purchasing in Alabama especially, YES. This is a buyer be ware state. It is always a best practice to have your own inspector look over a home.

Think of it as cheap insurance. For a few hundred dollars, you’re protecting yourself from thousands in potential "hidden" repairs like foundation cracks, outdated wiring, or roof leaks. Even in a competitive market where people are waiving contingencies, I always recommend at least an "info-only" inspection so you actually know what you’re buying.

Many buyers think an inspection is just a to-do list for the seller to fix however an inspection provides a prospective buyer with a “user manual” on how systems operate in the home. It will also help you to identify and safety or health hazards and how they can be repaired. Your home is a costly investment, and you want to protect it with the knowledge of what a home inspection will provide. Once you purchase, there will be chance to recoup those repairs from the seller.

Yes, A home inspection protects you from hidden issues, such as roof, foundation, electrical, plumbing, HVAC and gives you leverage for repairs or credits towards your closing.

Always!

Getting a home inspection is always highly recommended and the only time that I've had clients waive the inspection is when they planned on tearing down the house, and even then I had them sign several waivers that I still recommended the home inspection.

Even on new construction homes, the home inspection will point out any issues, because all builders and contractors are human and thus prone to error, and we use the home inspection to assist with the punch list for the builder.

It is a small expense to invest in one of your biggest investments, and will save you untold heartache and expenses later.

In addition there are other supplementary inspections that you may want to perform during your inspection period, depending on the construction of the home, that your agent and the home inspector may suggest to get further information and clarity on items that may not only be an issue for you, but your insurance, financing, and potential resale of the property.

Always recommend one so there are no surprises later! Protect yourself. Get the inspection!