Spring Home Appraisals in Chicago: Why It’s the Best Time to Sell

Chicago’s real estate market is lucrative and, at the same time, volatile. Thus, timing is key. When you sell your home plays a crucial role in the amount of profit you make. 

We perform home appraisals in Chicago for a living, and we speak from experience that spring is the best time to sell your house. As spring arrives, buyer activity increases and houses sell fast, giving you the opportunity to get the best deal for your home.

Your appraisal will also naturally come in higher in spring since sale prices of comparable homes in your area play an important role in determining the value of your appraisal. So, if you are planning to sell your home this spring, read on to know more about why it is the prime season to sell and how to make the most out of it.

Why Spring is the Ideal Season to Sell Your Home in Chicago

There are several reasons that make spring the prime selling season. These reasons provide sellers with various advantages and an opportunity to faster sales and higher selling prices. It is also for these reasons that the market value of a home is usually higher than the appraised value during spring. Below we cover some of the main ones.

Increased Buyer Activity

The real estate market in winter is very dry with cold weathers, shorter days, and holiday distractions keeping people from buying homes. So, when the spring arrives, prospecting home buyers start there house hunting causing a jump in buyer activity.

Moreover, families with children prefer moving to a new home in summer to avoid disrupting the school year. Usually, such families start looking for houses in spring, adding to the buyer activity.

When houses start to sell for higher, your appraisal will also naturally come in higher. That’s because the sale prices of other comparable houses in your area plays an important role in your appraisal value.

Enhanced Curb Appeal & First Impressions

During winter, snow and bare trees can make properties appear dull and uninviting.

With and the advent of warmer temperatures, flowers start to bloom, lawns and trees get green again, and sidewalks are clearer. All of this naturally boosts the visual appeal of the house and makes it look more inviting.

Your house’s curb appeal and it external appearance also influence your appraisal value, so you may get an higher appraisal in spring than fall or winter just because of this.

The Role of a Home Appraisal in the Selling Process

A home appraisal plays a crucial role while selling your home. It helps you set a competitive listing price for your home ensuring you don’t undersell it. Moreover, it works as a tool to help you prove your home’s value to the seller.

Appraisals usually last for 3-4 months, so if you get an appraisal in the beginning of the spring, it may last you till the beginning of summer. So you get plenty of time to find a buyer. 

Preparing Your Home For a Spring Appraisal

To ensure that you get the most out of your appraisal, it is important to prepare your home properly.

We suggest that you enhance your curb appeal by landscaping or any exterior repairs. If your driveway got damaged during the snow, getting it repaired before your appraisal will help.

When your appraiser visits your home, make sure to declutter and clean the house. This will put good first impressions, help the appraiser work properly, and keep them from any distractions. 

Moreover, you should have all the documentation of the upgrades you made to the home ready to provide to the appraiser. It will make the process much easier and faster.

Following these steps will help you get a higher appraisal value and sell your home for a higher price.

Ready for Your Spring Appraisal?

We are hopeful that this guide will help you make more informed decisions this spring while selling your home. 

If you are looking for a reputable company for home appraisals, make sure to give AnDel Appraisals a try. We have helped hundreds of clients with their home appraisals and adding you to our client list will be a pleasure!