Inspection & Attorney Review
What happens after your offer is accepted?
Getting an offer accepted is an exciting milestone, but it isn't the end of the process. In many Illinois real estate transactions, the first several business days after contract acceptance are especially important.
This is typically when your attorney reviews the contract and you complete your home inspection. While these processes often happen at the same time, they serve different purposes.
What Is Attorney Review?
Attorney review gives your real estate attorney an opportunity to review the purchase contract and address legal or contractual matters on your behalf.
Your attorney may review items such as:
Contract terms and deadlines
Property-specific provisions
Disclosures and other documents
Requested modifications or clarifications
Title or ownership concerns
Other legal issues related to the transaction
Your attorney represents you on the legal aspects of the transaction, while AED Realty continues to assist with the real estate and transactional side of the purchase.
How Long Does Attorney Review Take?
The exact timeframe depends on the contract you sign.
Many commonly used Illinois residential contracts provide for a relatively short attorney-review period, so it's important to select an attorney early and send the contract to them promptly after acceptance.
AED Realty will help coordinate with your attorney and keep track of the deadlines established in your contract.
What Is the Home Inspection?
A home inspection gives you an opportunity to have the property's visible and accessible components evaluated by a qualified home inspector.
Depending on the property and inspection, this may include:
Roof and exterior
Foundation and structure
Electrical systems
Plumbing
Heating and cooling systems
Attic and insulation
Windows and doors
Appliances
Interior components
Signs of moisture or other potential concerns
An inspection is not a guarantee that a property is free of defects. It is a professional evaluation intended to help you better understand the property's condition before moving forward.
Should I Attend the Inspection?
Whenever possible, yes.
Attending gives you an opportunity to see the inspector's findings firsthand, ask questions, and learn more about the property you're purchasing.
The written report is valuable, but walking through the home with the inspector can provide context that photographs and descriptions alone may not.
What Happens If the Inspector Finds Problems?
Almost every home inspection identifies something. The important question is usually not whether the inspector found issues, but how significant those issues are.
Depending on your contract and the findings, you and your attorney may discuss requesting repairs, a credit, another resolution, or further evaluation by an appropriate specialist.
The inspection isn't necessarily intended to produce a list of every minor maintenance item for the seller to correct. We can help you evaluate the findings and focus on the issues that matter most to your purchase.
Who Handles Inspection Negotiations?
In a typical Illinois transaction, your attorney and real estate agent often work together during this stage.
AED Realty can help you understand the practical and real estate implications of the inspection findings, discuss potential negotiation strategies, and provide information about the property and transaction.
Your attorney handles legal matters, contract modifications, and communications requiring legal advice.
This team approach allows each professional to stay within their area of expertise while working toward the same goal.
Can I Cancel the Contract Because of the Inspection?
That depends on the specific terms of your purchase contract and the circumstances involved.
Inspection provisions can establish particular rights, procedures, deadlines, and limitations. You shouldn't assume that an inspection automatically gives you an unrestricted right to cancel the transaction.
If you're considering terminating a contract, your attorney should advise you regarding your rights and obligations before you take action.
What About Radon, Sewer Scopes, Mold, or Other Testing?
A general home inspection may not cover every potential concern.
Depending on the property, its location, age, systems, and your concerns, you may choose to consider additional inspections or testing, such as:
Radon testing
Sewer scope
Chimney inspection
Structural evaluation
Mold or environmental testing
Well and septic inspections
Other specialized evaluations
We'll discuss the property with you and help identify additional inspections that may be worth considering, but the decision about which inspections to perform is ultimately yours.
Keep the Timeline Moving
Inspection and attorney review happen early in the transaction, and the deadlines can arrive quickly.
Once your offer is accepted, AED Realty helps coordinate the moving pieces—providing the contract to the appropriate parties, helping arrange access for inspections, communicating with your attorney, and keeping you aware of important dates.
The goal is to make sure you have the information you need to make informed decisions while keeping the transaction moving forward.
What Happens After Inspection & Attorney Review?
Once these early contingencies are addressed, attention typically shifts toward your financing, appraisal, title work, and preparations for closing.
This information is provided for general educational purposes and is not intended as legal, inspection, environmental, tax, or lending advice. Contract terms and individual properties vary. Consult your attorney, inspector, or other appropriate licensed professional regarding your specific transaction.