Is a home inspection required to buy a house?
Quick answer: A home inspection is not legally required, but it is strongly recommended and is one of the most valuable steps a buyer can take. Waiving it means accepting the home's condition sight-unseen.
Lenders generally require an appraisal, not an inspection — and the two are completely different. An appraisal estimates value; an inspection evaluates condition and safety.
In a competitive market some buyers consider waiving inspection. Even then, an inspection (or an inspection for information only) protects you from inheriting major hidden problems.
For older Bloomington homes especially, an inspection is the difference between buying with eyes open and buying a surprise.
