Home inspections used to be a given; buyers and sellers alike treated them as a standard part of every deal. During the pandemic-era housing boom, that changed: a wave of buyers waived their inspection contingency just to make offers more competitive in a market with almost no inventory. That trend has since reversed. As of mid-2026, inspection waivers have dropped sharply as inventory climbs and bidding wars cool, but a meaningful share of buyers still skip this step, often without understanding what they’re giving up. Here are some tips from EliteMGA, a leading provider of E&O insurance for home inspectors, to show buyers the real value of a home inspection, whether they’re deciding before the offer or reconsidering after the sale.
- Roofing systems.
- Exterior components.
- Foundation and structural components.
- Basements and crawl spaces.
- Attics, insulation, and ventilation.
- Plumbing systems.
- Electrical systems.
- Heating and cooling systems.
- Interior walls, ceilings, floors, doors, and windows.
- Fireplaces and fuel-burning appliances.
- Garages and carports.
- Decks and balconies.
The American Society of Home Inspectors’ 2026 Standard of Practice includes sections covering exterior components, decks and balconies, roofing, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, interiors, insulation, venting systems, fireplaces and fuel-burning appliances, and garages and carports.
It’s also important to explain what an inspection does not necessarily cover. Standard inspections are generally not technically exhaustive and may not identify concealed or latent defects. Specialized concerns such as mold, radon, pests, asbestos, or structural engineering issues may require additional inspections or testing, depending on the circumstances and applicable standards.
Being clear about both the scope and limitations of the inspection helps establish realistic expectations and can reduce misunderstandings later.
Skipping the Home Inspection Trend
According to the National Association of Realtors’ Realtors Confidence Index, only about 17% of buyers waived the inspection contingency on their winning offer in May 2026, down from 25% a year earlier and well below the roughly 40% peak seen at the height of pandemic-era bidding wars. Existing-home inventory has climbed to around 4.5 months of supply, the most balanced level in years, easing the pressure that once pushed buyers to skip due diligence just to win a bid.
That’s good news, but it doesn’t mean the waiver conversation is over. Even at 17–20%, that’s roughly one in five buyers walking into a home purchase, often the biggest financial decision of their life, without a professional evaluation of its condition. And according to the American Society of Home Inspectors, roughly 90% of homes have at least one significant defect. In a calmer market, buyers have less reason to waive an inspection, which makes it easier than ever for inspectors and agents to make the case for keeping it in the deal.
What Do Home Inspectors Look For?
One of the easiest ways to demonstrate the value of an inspection is to explain exactly what buyers receive for their investment.
So, what do home inspectors look for? The specific scope varies according to the inspector’s standards, contract, location, and the property’s characteristics. Generally, inspectors examine accessible and visible components of the home, which may include:
Home Inspection Benefits
Most home inspectors have seen a “money pit” first hand. Still, not all buyers know the massive financial and safety pitfalls that can be hidden, even in new homes. Nor the potential savings that an inspection can uncover with a review of a home’s systems. Home inspectors can show buyers the value of a home inspection with these handy pointers:
- Use Examples – Saying that a home inspection is valuable is true enough, but nothing beats an example to paint a picture. Tell them about that structural deformity you found two years ago that saved a home buyer from making a half-million-dollar mistake. Or what about the heating system that was leaking carbon monoxide into the home? Or the roof that needed repair and would cost the homeowner another $40,000 in the next year after purchase. Examples show the homeowner that waiving an inspection can significantly cost them their money and safety. When you use details and dollar signs, people will listen.
- Be Clear About What They Are Getting – Being vague about what your services cover is a sure way to convince buyers that they can afford to waive your inspection. Would you hire an accountant to “help you with accounting” or one who “prepares your personal income tax return (saving 25 hours of work and leading to a $3,000 refund)?” Be specific about the structures and systems in the home that you review and what can be uncovered in terms of defects and costs.
- Shorten Your Timeline to Meet Their Needs – Buyers may desire a home inspection but are under a tighter deadline than before the housing market exploded. Accommodating a faster timeline or performing a modified inspection before or during a walk-through can help alert the buyer of potential problems and at the same time keep their offer appealing to a seller.
Inspect the Home After the Sale
Once a home sale has taken place, many buyers may assume no need for a home inspection. Home inspectors and EliteMGA – your trusted carrier for E&O insurance for home inspectors – know that couldn’t be further from the truth. Although the buyer may no longer be able to back out of the sale or negotiate a better price based on the home inspection, a home inspection after the sale will:
- Alert the homebuyer to the need for repairs
- Allow the homeowner to budget for future expenditures
- Point out safety concerns
- Advise ways to save money with more efficient systems
- Notify homeowner of systems not working optimally
Using the tools mentioned in the previous section, home inspectors can show buyers that a few hundred dollars for a home inspection, even after the sale, can mean better budgeting, savings, and peace of mind.
EliteMGA is the best source for E&O insurance for home inspectors because we are the only insurance provider dedicated to home inspectors with our captive carrier, EliteRE. Choose our home inspector insurance with confidence, knowing that we have been serving home inspectors for over 15 years. Contact Us today!.
Q&As on Home Inspections
Is It Safe To Buy A Home Without An Inspection?
It’s risky. Even in a more balanced market, hidden issues in electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or structural systems can cost buyers tens of thousands of dollars after closing.
How Many Buyers Are Waiving Home Inspections?
Roughly 17–20% of buyers waived the inspection contingency on their winning offer this year, according to NAR’s Realtors Confidence Index, down sharply from a pandemic-era peak near 40%.
Can I Still Get A Home Inspection If I Waived The Contingency?
Yes. Buyers can request an “informational only” inspection after the contingency is waived, it won’t allow renegotiation, but it still identifies safety issues and helps with post-closing budgeting.
What Can A Home Inspection Find That Buyers Might Miss On Their Own?
Structural issues, carbon monoxide leaks, aging roofing, and system failures that aren’t visible during a normal walk-through.
Is A Post-Closing Home Inspection Worth It?
Yes, it can’t change the sale, but it flags needed repairs, safety concerns, and inefficient systems so new homeowners can budget and address issues early.
