My husband and I have very bad credit. If you don't need to borrow money, no one needs to check your credit. Be sure to make the real estate agent aware of your plans when you make an offer to buy the home.
Some agents routinely check credit early in the process.
However, don't overlook reestablishing your credibility as a borrower. You never know when you'll need to borrow for some unexpected need, to guarantee the debt of someone else, or to sign a lease or other contract that requires a credit check. A strong credit rating is a valuable asset on a household's financial balance sheet. You have the option to pay cash, but it is your best option only because your alternative is to borrow under the onerous terms offered to deadbeats. The first creditor to convince you are no longer a dead beat is yourself.