Facebook
X
Pinterest
Copy Link
If you were buying a home during the peak of the Covid market, you probably remember how intense things felt. Homes flew off the market. Buyers waived contingencies. “As-is” became a common phrase in offers.
I saw it happen over and over again with my own clients.
Fast forward to now, and things look very different. The inspections themselves have not changed much, but what buyers do after inspections has completely shifted.
Tucson Home Inspection Trends 2026: What I’m Seeing Right Now
Let’s start with the basics. The actual home inspection process looks almost identical to what it did before. Buyers still hire inspectors. They still get detailed reports. And the same major systems get reviewed.
What has changed is the response to those reports. In 2026, I am seeing buyers ask for a lot more. And I mean a lot.
Not long ago, I had a buyer request that the garage floor be professionally cleaned. Another asked for a non-functional alarm system to be removed and replaced with a working one. Those are not safety items. They are convenience and quality-of-life requests.
A few years ago, those types of requests would not have made it onto the list.
From “As-Is” to Detailed Repair Lists
During the low interest rate frenzy, buyers had very little leverage. Many agreed to purchase homes “as-is” just to compete. They often skipped repair requests entirely or kept them extremely minimal.
That market forced buyers to accept risk.
Once things started to normalize, I noticed a more balanced approach. Buyers focused on the big stuff. They asked for repairs related to:
- Roof issues
- Plumbing concerns
- HVAC systems
- Pest damage
- Water heaters
- Safety-related items
In most cases, those requests felt reasonable. Buyers were not trying to nickel-and-dime sellers. They just wanted the home to be safe and functional.
Tucson Home Inspection Trends 2026: Buyers Have Leverage Again
Now we are in a very different environment.
Homes are sitting longer. Interest rates have pushed some buyers out of the market. Sellers feel that shift, and many are willing to do more to get a deal done. That change has given buyers more confidence to ask for repairs that go beyond the basics.
I recently submitted the longest repair request list of my career. I expected some pushback. Instead, the seller agreed to every single item. That would have been almost unthinkable a few years ago!
This Is Not Happening Everywhere
I want to be clear about one thing. This trend is not universal.
Certain neighborhoods and price points still see strong competition. Well-priced homes in desirable areas can still attract multiple offers. In those cases, buyers may need to scale back their requests.
Real estate is always hyper-local. That is why I always tell my clients that strategy matters more than ever. What works in one part of town may not work in another. In fact, what works on one side of the street might not work on the other side of the street!
What This Means for Buyers and Sellers
If you are a buyer, this market gives you an opportunity. You can ask for repairs that improve not just safety, but also livability. That said, I always guide my clients to stay reasonable. A strong negotiation still requires a thoughtful approach.
If you are a seller, preparation matters more than ever. Addressing obvious issues upfront can make a huge difference. The cleaner your inspection report looks, the stronger your position will be.
Final Thoughts
The inspection itself has not changed, but the negotiation around it definitely has.
I have watched this shift happen in real time, and it is one of the clearest signs of how the market has evolved since the Covid era. Right now, buyers have more room to ask, and sellers are often willing to meet them there.
As always, the key is understanding the current market and adjusting your strategy accordingly.
Have questions for me? Give me a call or text at (541) 521-0145, or click here to go to my contact page.
You can also follow me on Instagram for behind the scenes marketing, new listings, and Tucson real estate updates. Click here to head to my Instagram!
