It’s time to sell your home. You may have spent years between those walls, and gathered countless unforgettable memories. After all, “there’s no place like home,” as the old saying goes.
Now, it’s time to move on — and make sure your home is in the best possible condition to sell quickly, efficiently, and at the best possible price.
Over the years, any number of structural concerns may have stacked up around your property. These can be minor annoyances like a sticky window, or something more major, like a finicky furnace or persnickety plumbing. It’s quite common for homes to pick up some “wear and tear” over time. Some of these issues may be easy to spot. Unfortunately, many issues might also happen below the surface or just out of sight, making them difficult for the average homeowner to discover on their own.
As you get ready to sell your home, it can be important to get an outside perspective from an experienced home expert. Over time, it’s easy to lose sight of the little issues around your home, even as these small annoyances may prove to be major roadblocks for potential buyers. When you put your home on the market, buyers and their agents are going to be looking out for prospective fixes and projects, both small and large — including some you may not even be aware of.
Your best solution? Hire a professional home inspector to perform a thorough and diligent visual examination of the home.
A home inspector can examine hundreds of elements around your property, allowing you to identify any issues that may need to be addressed before you take your home to market.
For sellers, an inspector’s report can identify deficiencies that must be disclosed to potential buyers, and include recommendations for repairs that may enhance the future marketability of your home. An inspector can also help prepare a list of items which could come up during a buyer’s inspection, including a general assessment of the condition of the property, as well as structural or mechanical concerns. At the same time, working with an inspector can be a valuable marketing tool, demonstrating to future buyers that you’re committed to the success of your sale.
From helping you get ahead of potential issues to empowering your real estate team to sell your home more quickly, here’s why a pre-listing inspection can be a worthwhile investment for sellers:
Reduce Objections and Distractions to Sell More Quickly
As many real estate professionals will tell you, the key to selling your home may just be to present it in the best possible condition. First impressions really do matter, and the reaction a buyer has when they first open the front door — or even pull up to the front curb — can have a huge influence on their home buying decision. A home inspector can allow you to identify deficiencies and potential issues that may impact your sale, so you can showcase your home to new buyers in the best possible light. A small investment in fixing the minor stuff can help you in the long run. Identifying and repairing little things like damaged drywall, evidence of past water infiltration, or a less-than-efficient furnace or water heater can help you get rid of damaging distractions that may influence potential buyers, for better or for worse.
Provide Confidence in the Health of the Home
As the saying goes, “sometimes you need to spend money to make money.” A professional home inspection can be a great first step for sellers, helping to identify and perform necessary repairs before putting the home to market. In some cases, making these home upgrades or repairs may allow sellers and their real estate teams to increase their listing price for the home, and secure higher offers from buyers. In other cases, taking care of projects in advance can be powerful leverage for sellers, to minimize the need to negotiate the remedy or credits a buyer may ask for after their own home inspection. A pre-listing inspection can also help sellers and their team market their home more effectively, and perhaps even sell more quickly, cutting down on the carrying costs they have to pay while their home stays on the market. What’s more, in many states, home improvement repairs made in order to sell a house can be deductible as expenses on your taxes, in certain cases.
Help the Sales Process Go More Smoothly
When it comes to buying a home, it’s all about confidence. People like to feel safe and secure when purchasing a house or condo, knowing that its systems are sound and that the property is structurally stable. This is why buyer’s inspections are such a crucial and common part of the homebuying process! For sellers, bringing on an inspector of your own is a way to establish confidence and trust with your prospective buyers. It’s a way to demonstrate that you care about the health and safety of your future buyers, and that you’re not cutting any corners. Plus, when you take steps to remedy potential issues in advance, buyers are more likely to make it through their own inspection with a clean report — making them all the more likely to move forward with the transaction, rather than attempting to back out of their contract down the line.
What to Expect with Windy City Home Inspection
If you’re gearing up to sell your Chicagoland property, Windy City Home Inspection has a thorough and carefully considered home inspection for you.
With Windy City Home Inspection, you can expect a thorough, diligent inspection that never cuts corners. When searching for the right home inspector, it’s important to find someone you can trust — and that’s why we are here for you. The inspectors at Windy City Home Inspection, Inc. are licensed by the State of Illinois, certified, and insured. Each home inspection is backed by our Warranty and Protection Plan. Furthermore, we pride ourselves on our superior customer service. If you ever have questions, even years after your home inspection, we will be here to answer them — even if it means returning to your home.
At Windy City Home Inspection, Inc., we perform inspections to the highest standards — yours. Backed by a consulting team with more than 60 years of experience, Windy City Home Inspection is committed to excellence. Have a question? Let us help.
