Whether you’re buying or selling a Chicago home, or looking to better protect the property you already own, a home inspection is an important part of your real estate journey.
A home inspection is a visual examination of the readily accessible systems and components of a home. During an inspection, the inspector looks for structural and mechanical concerns, as well as potential safety hazards. Your inspector will also try to determine the age of major systems around the property, including the roofing, HVAC components, and water heaters. During a standard home inspection, an inspector will generally observe more than 200 items throughout the home with a keen and objective eye. A properly trained inspector is unbiased and thorough, and will review your house as a system, looking at how one component of the house might affect another.
Home inspections are part and parcel of the typical real estate transaction here in Chicago — because they’re just that important.
The Chicago area is beautiful, welcoming, and a great place to call home. But it’s also important to remember that living in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs can come with some unique challenges for all kinds of properties — from single-family homes, to townhomes, to condos.
What do we mean? Well, think about factors like…
Extreme Weather
Chicagoland is truly a land of contrasts. During the summer months, we see lots of humidity and temperatures that may reach the triple digits. Come winter, our area is legendary for its bracingly cold temperatures, frigid winds, and piles of snow and ice. Even during the spring and fall, you never know what the Midwest weather might have in store. Around here, it’s not uncommon to see snow in April or October, or heavy thunderstorms in early spring.
The bottom line? We get a lot of weather in our area — and from routine snowfall to unexpected storms, it can all take a toll on your property. Severe weather can cause or create issues at any time. For example, heavy rains, winds, and hail can cause damage to siding, gutters, downspouts, and even the roof area. Moist conditions can lead to mold and mildew, and can contribute to significant structural damage over time.
A home inspection can help you get a sense of how your home will hold up to our ever-changing weather — winter, spring, summer, or fall. Before you buy a home, an inspection can help clue you into structural and mechanical concerns around the property, as well as potential safety hazards. For a home that you already own, having your property inspected can help ensure that the systems of your home are functioning as they should be, so that you can keep your home safe, secure, and in good working order
Preparing for the Unexpected
Chicagoland is full of history. From the city to the suburbs, there’s a story around every corner. Our city saw a historical fire and the birth of the skyscraper. We’ve been home to presidents, film legends, and star athletes. We reversed the course of a river and helped bear witness to the birth of world-changing technology that we all take for granted today.
In an area like ours, every home has a past — and the little details can make a difference for your future. Whether your home is a Victorian dating back to the 1800s, a mid-century modern marvel from the 1950s, or a relatively new build from the 2000s, a home inspector is trained to look at the components and systems of a home you might overlook, to help provide a solid foundation of knowledge about the home.
Of particular importance here in Chicago, this means helping you get a sense for the age of the major components and systems of a property, including:
- The roof
- Air conditioning system
- Furnace and/or boiler
- Water heater
A home inspector can also help you get a better understanding of what makes your property unique. For example, your inspector can help you find the location of water, electric, and gas shut-offs — which can prove incredibly important when you’re doing renovations or responding to an emergency down the line.
Saving Time and Money
Whether you’re a buyer or a seller, a home inspection can be a powerful way to help save you and yours time, energy, stress, and money.
Catching and addressing issues early can help you save big on the costs of repairs and replacements, especially if you’re able to prevent a major issue before it gets the chance to strike.
For sellers, a pre-listing home inspection is a great way to identify any deficiencies that must be disclosed to potential buyers. As you start to think about selling your home, an inspection can be a great way to find out more about repairs that may enhance the future marketability of your property — allowing you to ultimately sell your home more quickly, and for the best possible price.
For buyers, an inspection is a way to make sure that your next home will be safe, structurally and mechanically sound, and free of health risks. An inspection can be a great resource, helping you to make an informed decision about moving forward with the transaction. A home inspection is one of your best protections against buying a home needing repairs that you may not be able to afford. In other cases, your inspector can offer maintenance tips and other information to help you protect your investment in the future.
At Windy City Home Inspection, We Know Chicago
Curious about what goes into the home inspection process here in Chicagoland? Looking for guidance or insight from an experienced home inspection team? Our experts are here and ready to help.
With Windy City Home Inspection, buyers and sellers 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.
