Inspections & Appraisals
Most buyers will have your property evaluated by a licensed inspector to confirm everything matches the contract terms. The Purchase Agreement will outline the inspection timeframe. Some buyers bring in specialized inspectors for specific areas, such as the roof, plumbing, or HVAC system.
If the buyer is financing the purchase, a licensed appraiser will also assess your property. Because the sale is contingent on financing, the lender needs confirmation that their investment matches the home's actual value, which requires a third-party appraisal.
The Closing Agent
A title company or attorney is chosen as the closing agent, or escrow, responsible for examining and insuring clear title to the real estate. After reviewing your property's recorded history, they'll certify that the title is free of encumbrances, such as leases, mortgages, or restrictions, by the closing date, allowing the transfer of ownership to the buyer.
When you are ready to get started, call us at 309.336.8935 or complete this short form and one of our agents will be in touch.
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What else you should know...
Contingencies
A contingency is a condition that must be satisfied before a contract becomes legally binding. Buyers commonly include contingencies related to home inspections or securing financing.
Before completing the purchase of your property, the buyer will typically need to:
- Secure financing and insurance
- Review key documents, such as preliminary title reports and disclosure statements
- Inspect the property, which may include a wide range of inspections such as roof, termite/pest, chimney/fireplace, property boundary survey, well, septic, pool/spa, arborist, mold, lead-based paint, and HVAC
How do you respond fairly and objectively if a buyer requests renegotiation, while still protecting your own interests? This is exactly where an experienced listing agent makes a real difference. Having guided numerous property sales, Tanaka Real Estate brings the expertise and commitment needed to handle any situation that arises.
Loan Approval and Appraisal
We recommend accepting offers from buyers who have a lender's pre-approval, approval letter, or written loan commitment, all stronger indicators of financing security than a simple pre-qualification. Expect an appraiser from the lender's company to review your property and confirm the agreed-upon sales price is appropriate.
Tips For Selling Your Home

Give Your House a Deep Clean
First impressions mean everything. Before listing your home, give it a deep clean, including toilets, surfaces, floors, rugs, and bathrooms. Consider hiring professionals to make sure your home shows in its best possible condition.

Declutter The Home
A clutter-free home lets buyers focus on the property itself instead of piles of mail, laundry, or general mess. Buyers want to picture their own belongings in your space, not navigate around yours. Decluttering and organizing go a long way toward appealing to home buyers.
Call a Handyman
Before listing, make sure any needed repairs are handled. When buyers sense a home has been well cared for, it gives them added peace of mind and confidence in the purchase.
Paint the Walls
A fresh coat of paint cleans up your walls, and choosing a neutral color palette increases appeal by making it easier for buyers to picture their own furniture and style in the space. Swap out any bold or outdated colors for neutral tones throughout the home.
Increase Your Curb Appeal
The exterior of your home matters just as much as the interior. Give buyers a great first impression before they even step through the front door. Landscaping, mulching, fresh flowers, and pressure washing the driveway and exterior are simple, affordable ways to boost your home's value.
Stage Your Home
Staged homes tend to sell faster because they feel warm and inviting. If you have neutral furniture you can leave in place, use it. Otherwise, consider hiring a professional staging company.
Depersonalize Your Home
Leave a few nicely framed photos to keep the home feeling lived-in and welcoming, but remove most personal items, like family photos, so buyers can more easily picture themselves living there.
Questions?
Give Tanaka Real Estate a call at 309.336.8935 or fill out the form and we'll be in touch.
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Areas We Serve
- Bloomington
- Normal
- Le Roy
- Heyworth
- Lexington
- Hudson
- Chenoa
- Gridley
- Downs
- Danvers

