When you decide to take the plunge and make a real estate investment, you want to do everything you can to ensure that your investment is as sound and secure as possible. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to know what services are necessary, and which may just involve cost with little value added. For example, many condo purchasers may be unsure about the home inspection process. After all, a condo purchase generally involves [...]
If you’re reading a home inspection report for the first time, it can seem overwhelming. The report can range from about 15 to about 50 pages, and contains a great deal of information about the home, the inspector’s process, and any defects or dangerous conditions found during the inspection process. Some of these conditions present real risks or potential expenses down the line, while others may not present any issues at all once [...]
Most home purchase contracts include several contingencies; that is, conditions that must be satisfied before the sale of a home can be finalized. One of the most common of these contingencies, included in virtually every home sale contract, is the home inspection contingency. This contingency can be confusing, especially for first-time buyers. The inspection contingency gives the buyer the right to have the home inspected within a specified time period. It serves as [...]
You’ve found your dream home. You’ve made an offer, it’s been accepted, and you’re under contract. Your financing has been approved. Only one thing stands between you and closing on your dream home: the home inspection. While paying for a home inspection may seem like little more than an added cost to the homebuying process — after all, someone is likely living in the home you purchase exactly as it is — it [...]
In most ordinary consumer transactions, settling on a sale price is the last step before finalizing a transaction. In home sales, however, it is only the first step in the process. Entering into contract on a home sale usually requires sellers to satisfy a number of conditions, or contingencies, before a sale can be finalized and title transferred to a new owner. In a worst case scenario for a home seller, a buyer [...]
Many people dream of owning a second home as a private getaway, a place where they can go with their families for a vacation from the everyday. For others, owning a vacation home is a source of passive income through the vacation rental and home-sharing markets. And for plenty of people, the dream of owning a second home is about having a place to retire in the future, whether that means a quiet [...]
For most of us, the word “home” is a pretty powerful one. Home is where we relax and unwind with family and friends. It’s an oasis from stress, and an investment in the future. When we think of home, we think about love, togetherness, peace, and respite. Tied up in all of those ideas is one simple, important concept: safety. The events of the past year have made the idea of having a [...]
Have you been following any news or updates about the Chicagoland real estate market? If you’re interested in buying or selling a home anytime in the near future, you’ve probably had your eyes glued to market updates and news stories. And you’re probably seeing one trend pop up again and again, no matter where you look — buyers are getting competitive, available inventory is tight, and we are firmly in a seller’s market. [...]
The pandemic has caused millions of people here in the Chicago area and around the country to reflect on how they live — and, just as importantly, where they would like to live next. If you’re among the large group considering a move from the city to the suburbs, it’s important to remember to make a home inspector part of your team. A professional home inspection is one of the best ways to [...]
For most of us, the purchase of a home will be one of the largest financial investments we ever make. When considering what home to buy, it’s important to keep many different factors in mind — the lifestyle you want to live, the proximity to schools and businesses, the location of the neighborhood, the size and style of the property, and so on. One of the most important things to factor in is [...]
