Home Inspections Are Back—And That’s a Good Thing

[Marc Winter]

For a while there, home inspections almost disappeared.

During the pandemic market, buyers were waiving them just to compete. That wasn’t a strategy—it was pressure. And it came with risk.

That trend is fading. Buyers are asking for inspections again.

That tells you something important: buyers have more room to negotiate, and they’re thinking more carefully before they commit.

Deals are taking a little longer, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It was never about “passing”-- an inspection isn’t a report card. You’re not looking for a house to pass. You’re looking for clarity; what’s going to need attention?  What’s it going to cost, and when? That’s the real purpose.  

What’s coming back with more inspections? We’re seeing the return of things like home warranties.

And inspection tools have improved. Thermal imaging—once an add-on—is becoming more common, helping identify issues you can’t see.

For buyers this means more time, more information, and. better decisions.

For sellers--Condition matters again. Preparation matters again.

Ultimately, this isn’t a step backward. It’s a return to a more rational market. Inspections don’t kill deals. They clarify them.

Please share your own thoughts and experience with inspections--always welcomed!