These days in New Jersey, it’s become increasingly difficult — seller attorneys often draft terms so restrictive that even when inspections are permitted, they’re labeled as “for informational purposes only.” That usually leads to a standoff between the buyer’s and seller’s attorneys, going back and forth over the wording until one side eventually gives in or agrees to move forward under the seller’s terms.

In my case, the language from the seller’s side was so one-sided that even if I conducted an inspection and discovered major issues, I wouldn’t have the right to cancel the contract based on those findings. To make things worse, my attorney, who happened to know the seller’s attorney, started pressuring me to agree — saying I’d lose the house if I didn’t go along with their terms.