Tips for Getting a Home Appraisal in Chicago

Hundreds of people get their homes appraised in Chicago on a daily basis. Having some expert tips handy before getting an appraisal will benefit any homeowner. 

AnDel Appraisals has been a reputable home appraisal company in Chicago for about 13 years. This puts us in a very good position to provide valuable tips to anyone looking to get a home appraisal in Chicago.

Chicago Real Estate and Home Appraisals

Market trends play a key role in the value of a home appraisal. Chicago’s housing market is diverse, with each neighborhood having its own unique characteristics and trends. Make sure to keep an eye on Chicago’s overall housing market trends to know the best time for an appraisal. 

Be Well Prepared

We cannot stress this enough. Being well-prepared for your home appraisal will help both you and your appraiser. There are two main ways you need to prepare: preparing the home and gathering the necessary information.

Preparing Your Chicago Home for Appraisal

Having your home well-prepared and maintained will put up a good first impression on the appraiser. It can positively influence the appraisal value of your home. We’ve written a dedicated article on preparing a home for an appraisal, but here is a brief overview:

• Clean and Declutter: Make sure you clean and organize your home before your appraiser comes and takes a look. This will help reduce any unwanted distractions for the appraiser and will give them an overall positive feeling about the home.
• Make Minor Repairs: Address any minor issues like leaky faucets, cracked tiles, or peeling paint. The fewer issues the appraiser sees, the better. 
• Boost Curb Appeal: Chicago homes often have unique architectural styles, so make sure your home’s exterior looks its best. Mow the lawn, trim bushes, and consider adding fresh mulch or flowers. In winter, ensure walkways are clear of snow and ice.
• Stage Key Areas: Stage your home in a way that highlights its best features. For example, arrange the furniture to showcase spacious rooms or set the dining table to emphasize a formal dining area.

Gathering Necessary Information

Having all the documents ready to hand to the appraiser will help streamline the process. The appraiser will have the information they need to assess your home’s value accurately. 

The most important information you should gather is the list of all the upgrades you have made to your home, along with the dates and costs. It is a good idea to sit down with your family and note down any minor or major improvements. List down everything from a remodeled bathroom to new appliances to new light switches.

Preferably, you should start this a couple of days before the appraisal is scheduled. So, if you happen to forget something, you will have time to remember it and put it on the list. If you choose to make the list digitally, have a hard copy ready before the appraiser arrives.

Choose a Qualified Home Appraiser

There is no shortage of home appraisal companies in Chicago. However, not all will be the same. While there are some good players in the industry, there are also several bad ones.

Make sure to put some effort into researching for appraisers. Ideally, you would want an appraiser that is licensed in Illinois. You can verify their credentials through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).

Choose an appraiser who is familiar with Chicago’s neighborhoods and market trends. This will typically be someone who has been in the Chicago real estate industry for a long time. You can know this by talking to them or checking their website.

Last but not least, check their online reviews. This is one of the best ways to assess how they have worked with others and what their past customers have to say about them.

Review the Appraisal Report Carefully

Once the appraisal is complete, the appraiser will provide you with a detailed report, typically 3-7 days after visiting your home. This report outlines the appraiser’s findings and, most importantly, the appraisal value of your home.

Many people take this as a final answer and move ahead with it. However, we recommend that you carefully review this report. Verify all the details about your home are correct, including square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and any special features.

Keep in mind that the appraiser is a human being and can make mistakes. If you spot any errors in the report, make sure to bring them to the appraiser’s attention.

You also have the option to dispute the appraisal if you have enough evidence to support your case. We won’t go into much detail about it here as that is out of the scope of it blog.

Conclusion

These tips should help you better understand the home appraisal process and keep you informed. If you have any questions about the topic, feel free to reach out to us. If you happen to be looking for a home appraisal company, be sure to give us a call at +1 (847) 961-4826. We will be happy to help you out with all your home appraisal needs.