Is It Legal to Sell a Home Without an Inspection in Port Washington?

Is it legal to sell your Port Washington home without an inspection?
Yes — New York State does not require sellers to have a pre-listing inspection. However, you are still required to disclose known issues to buyers. Whether skipping the inspection is smart depends on your home’s condition and your selling strategy.

Understanding Inspections in New York

• Pre-Listing Inspection (Optional): Sellers can choose to have their home inspected before listing to identify and fix issues early.

• Buyer’s Inspection (Standard): Most buyers will still conduct their own inspection after signing a purchase agreement.

• No Inspection: You can sell without one, but you must still disclose known defects as required by law.

New York’s Disclosure Law

Under New York law, sellers must either:

• Provide a completed Property Condition Disclosure Statement (PCDS); or

• Credit the buyer $500 at closing instead of providing the disclosure form.

Even if you opt for the $500 credit, you’re still legally responsible for disclosing known material defects (such as foundation cracks, roof leaks, or prior flooding). Recent updates to New York’s disclosure laws have strengthened these requirements — making accuracy and honesty more important than ever.

When Skipping an Inspection Might Make Sense

• Newer or Well-Maintained Homes: If your home has been recently renovated or is in excellent condition.

• Hot Market Conditions: When buyers are waiving inspections to compete for homes.

• Investor or Cash Sales: Buyers purchasing as-is may not require an inspection.

However, skipping a pre-listing inspection can backfire if major issues appear during the buyer’s inspection, leading to renegotiations or a canceled deal.

Benefits of Getting a Pre-Listing Inspection

1. Transparency: Builds buyer confidence.

2. Fewer Surprises: Lets you fix or disclose issues upfront.

3. Stronger Negotiation Position: Reduces the chance of last-minute concessions.

How Eric Berman Helps Sellers Decide

Eric Berman, REALTOR, helps Port Washington sellers weigh the pros and cons of a pre-listing inspection by:

• Recommending trusted local inspectors.

• Reviewing which repairs add real value versus unnecessary costs.

• Helping sellers decide whether to provide the PCDS or issue the $500 credit.

Bottom Line

It’s legal to sell your Port Washington home without an inspection, but it’s not always the best choice. A pre-listing inspection can prevent surprises, speed up negotiations, and strengthen buyer confidence.

Considering selling your Port Washington home? Contact Eric Berman for guidance on inspections, disclosures, and strategies to protect your sale.

Meta Description:
Is it legal to sell a home without an inspection in Port Washington? Yes — but sellers must disclose known issues. Learn when skipping inspection makes sense with REALTOR Eric Berman.