It might make your offer stronger — but it could cost you thousands or even your home
Contingencies are one of the most important tools you have when buying a home — especially your first one.
They give you time to protect yourself:
- Time to get your loan fully approved
- Time to inspect the home
- Time to walk away if something big goes wrong — without losing your deposit
But here’s what happens in today’s competitive market:
Some agents will push buyers to waive all contingencies to make their offer more appealing to the seller — especially when there are multiple offers.
The logic?
“No contingencies” means a sure thing for the seller — they’re not waiting around for you to finalize inspections, financing, or paperwork.
It can absolutely make your offer stronger… but at what cost?
What You’re Really Giving Up
When you remove your loan contingency, you’re saying:
“Even if I don’t get the loan, I’m still buying the house… or losing my deposit.”
When you waive your inspection contingency, you’re saying:
“Even if the home has serious problems, I’m still buying it… or I lose my money.”
If you move forward without either of these safety nets, and something goes wrong — like:
- You lose your job or financing changes
- The foundation is cracked
- The roof is shot
- There’s hidden mold, termites, or electrical issues…
You’re stuck — or you lose your earnest money (your deposit).
And that’s usually thousands of dollars, gone.
Why We Never Recommend Waiving Contingencies for First-Time Buyers
We get it — you want the house.
And in a competitive bidding war, it can be tempting to do whatever it takes to win.
But:
No house is worth putting yourself in financial danger.
We would never recommend removing contingencies unless:
- You’re fully prepared (and financially able) to take on a worst-case scenario
- You’ve had extensive experience in real estate or construction
- You’ve done some inspections ahead of time
- You understand and accept the full risk
For first-time buyers?
That’s almost never the case. You’re still learning the process, and you deserve protection.
House Karma’s Promise
Our job is to help you buy smart — not just to “win the house,” but to get a great home without regretting it later.
That’s why we never encourage first-time buyers to waive their loan or inspection contingencies.
We’ll still help you write a strong, competitive offer — but one that includes reasonable protection and makes financial sense.
You don’t need to risk your entire down payment just to get your foot in the door.
Bottom Line
If you waive contingencies, you’re betting thousands of dollars that everything will go perfectly.
That’s a big gamble — especially when buying a home is already emotional and overwhelming.
At House Karma, we’re here to help you stay protected, stay informed, and stay in control.
We’ll show you how to make strong offers that still keep your safety net in place — because your peace of mind is just as important as the keys in your hand.
