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ffective Oct 15, Massachusetts will no longer allow sellers or agents to require buyers to waive a home inspection. The new Affordable Homes Act rules prohibit any sale contingent on a waived inspection and forbid sellers from influencing a buyer’s decision to waive. Buyers may still choose to waive, but sellers must provide a signed disclosure affirming the buyer’s inspection rights. Exemptions apply only to new homes with a one‑year warranty, sales between family members, or transactions through a trust. The rules cover purchase agreements signed on or after Oct 15.

    The change follows years of pressure on buyers to drop inspections to make offers more competitive. Healey’s administration has warned that inspections are essential for uncovering hidden problems, preventing surprise costs, and securing fair pricing. Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus said, “A home inspection is an important step in buying a property. Homebuyers must have the ability to make informed financial decisions and be given a clear picture of needed repairs or safety issues that could arise.”

    Despite the new law, the rate of waived inspections has already fallen as the market has cooled, even though prices remain high. Sarah Gustafson, president of the Massachusetts Association of Realtors, noted that the market has begun to self‑correct, reducing the need for such regulation.