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Haverhill-based Buyers Brokers Only this week reiterated its support for proposed state regulations that would make it illegal for home sellers to require or encourage buyers to waive a home inspection as a condition of purchasing a property.
Richard J. Rosa, co-founder of Buyers Brokers Only, called the problem an affordability issue, especially for first-time homebuyers.
“They save for a down payment, they save for closing costs, but it’s just still a bridge too far when you then feel pressured to waive a home inspection not knowing what costs you’re not going to know about,” he explained.
Buyers Brokers Only emphasized that while the regulation protects a buyer’s right to inspect a home, it does not obligate sellers to make repairs or concessions following the inspection.
The proposed regulation from the state Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities stems from legislation passed in August 2024 as part of a housing bond bill. The law mandates the state implement rules ensuring home inspection rights for buyers. Under the proposed regulation, a seller must not condition the sale of a home on the buyer’s agreement to waive, limit, restrict or otherwise forgo a home inspection, either fully or partially. Rosa said, no one should be pressured into giving up a home inspection just to get their offer accepted, but statistics show the problem.
“It appears that about 75% of homebuyers that are making offers on homes are waiving their home inspections.”
Proposed regulations also prohibit sellers from accepting offers that include a waiver of a home inspection and requires sellers to inform buyers in writing that they are entitled to have the property professionally inspected before purchase.
The state agency is accepting public comments through Friday, May 16, at 11:59 p.m. by email to [email protected] with the subject line “Comments on 760 CMR 74.”