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Did you waive the inspection contingency? Do you regret it?

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Vasil_DIY
Joined:
07.12.2020
Posts: 1323
Topic Starter
07.01.2025 18:12
We are currently in the middle of a bidding war for a house we really love in a competitive market. Our agent suggested that waiving the inspection contingency might be the only way to get our offer accepted by the sellers. I am incredibly nervous about the prospect of buying a home without knowing what kind of issues might be hiding behind the walls. Has anyone here actually gone through with waiving it, and did you end up regretting that decision later on? I'd love to hear your experiences and if there are any other ways to make an offer competitive without taking on that much risk.
15 replies in this topic
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Brayan_Z
Joined:
17.09.2021
Posts: 1163
21.01.2025 16:11
We waived it three years ago in a hot market. It worked, but we spent $15k on electrical issues within the first month. Never again.
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Maistor_Ivan
Joined:
16.09.2022
Posts: 177
26.01.2025 18:33
In reply to a previous post
Don't do it. Seriously, just walk away if the seller demands that. It is not worth the stress.
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Oliviya_T
Joined:
16.07.2022
Posts: 1105
12.04.2025 00:19
I work in construction and I've seen 'flipped' houses that look perfect but have structural nightmares hidden in the crawlspace. Please get an inspection.
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Stefan_W
Joined:
03.05.2022
Posts: 555
22.04.2025 14:27
In reply to a previous post
If you absolutely have to, try a 'pre-inspection' where you bring an inspector during the showing. It's risky but better than nothing.
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krisi_r
Joined:
09.11.2022
Posts: 2016
02.05.2025 21:46
We waived it and got lucky. The house was solid. But I felt sick to my stomach for the entire week leading up to closing.
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simon_v
Joined:
16.02.2020
Posts: 370
26.05.2025 06:12
In reply to a previous post
To the person above, I did the same, but the 'luck' part is the problem. You shouldn't have to gamble your life savings on luck.
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Kaya_J
Joined:
17.10.2020
Posts: 2082
26.07.2025 15:58
Is there a way to offer an 'informational only' inspection? That way you can back out if it's a disaster, but you aren't asking for repairs.
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robert_d
Joined:
11.10.2021
Posts: 1169
01.08.2025 17:48
In reply to a previous post
That's exactly what we did! It made our offer much stronger without us being completely blind to what we were buying.
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Milos_S
Joined:
24.09.2022
Posts: 1712
13.09.2025 06:51
I'm an agent, and I tell my clients this: if you can't afford a $50k repair bill tomorrow, do not waive the inspection.
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Maistor_Ivan
Joined:
21.05.2022
Posts: 558
12.10.2025 18:05
I waived it and regret it every single day. The seller hid water damage behind a fresh coat of paint. It cost us a fortune to fix.
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agata_k
Joined:
05.03.2025
Posts: 2049
10.12.2025 11:55
In reply to a previous post
I am so sorry to hear that. Did you have any legal recourse at all?
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nabludatel_x
Joined:
25.07.2022
Posts: 1453
26.12.2025 19:15
In reply to a previous post
Unfortunately, no. Once you sign that waiver, you're pretty much on your own unless you can prove fraud, which is impossible.
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vesko_55
Joined:
02.08.2023
Posts: 156
09.03.2026 02:09
It's a sellers' market nightmare. I've lost four bids because I refused to drop the inspection. I'd rather lose the house than lose my shirt.
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Oli_S
Joined:
15.01.2023
Posts: 1429
20.03.2026 00:35
In reply to a previous post
I agree with the person who said to walk away. If they are pushing for a waiver, they probably know something is wrong with the place.
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SivaMishka
Joined:
04.07.2021
Posts: 1095
31.03.2026 09:56
Just put in a higher offer instead of waiving the inspection. Money talks louder than contingencies for most sellers.

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