Let's start with sellers
Why is spring the hottest season for sellers?
Spring is considered the best season to sell a home due to many factors:
Increased Buyer Demand: Most leases in Chicago end in the early summer, like May and June, and first time buyers like to be in their new homes prior to the end of their lease. First time buyers really fuel the market and spark movement for the move up buyers who go on to buy their next house.
Better Curb Appeal: Flowers bloom, grass is greener, and homes look more inviting.
Warmer Temps: After our cold, dark winter Chicagoans love to get out and pound the pavement. The warmer temps makes it easier to get around and to shop for new homes.
Faster Sales & Higher Prices: Historically, homes listed in spring sell faster and often at higher prices due to increased competitive demand. Again, this is fueled by a plethora of first time buyers entering the market.
Families Want to Move Before School Starts: Many buyers aim to close on a home before summer so they can settle in before a new school year.
Best Time to List:
The peak listing period is typically March and through May. After that the summer slowdown kicks in as people really start enjoying Chicago summers and travel. If you want top dollar for your home it's a great idea to not miss this window.
Consider listing earlier to stand out before the market gets saturated. Every year is a bit different but sometimes the spring market kicks off as early as mid January/February.
Ensure your home is in top shape with professional photos and strategic pricing. It's always a good idea to do spring cleaning early and we even sometimes get photos done the summer prior when flowers and greenery is peak.
Spring cleaning for sellers – How decluttering and staging can help sell faster
A clean, organized home sells quicker and for more money. Here’s how to prepare:
🧹 Decluttering
Remove excess furniture to make rooms feel more spacious. Remember less is more.
Clear out personal items (family photos, collectibles) to help buyers visualize the home as their own.
Organize closets and storage areas—buyers WILL look inside! We recommend hiring a professional organizing company to really get you organized. Here are two we love recommending to our clients. Unfuss and The Clutter Curator.
Owner Caroline from Unfuss
🌿 Deep Cleaning
Wash windows inside and out for maximum natural light.
Shampoo carpets and polish hardwood floors.
Scrub kitchens and bathrooms—make appliances, sinks, and tiles shine.
🏡 Staging Tips
Arrange furniture to highlight space and flow.
Add fresh flowers and neutral décor. If you have a lot of busy pillows it's an easy and cheap swap to get neutral ones.
Use natural light—open blinds and curtains to brighten rooms.
📸 Final Touch: Listing Photos
Once your home is staged and cleaned, invest in professional photography for the best online presence.
Moving onto Buyers
Why is spring the hottest time for buyers?
Increased Inventory: This is the really quite simple. This is the best time of year for sellers to list their home so buyers will find a lot more options to choose from. The only problem is there is a lot more demand as well so it will be extremely competitive.
Increased Pricing: Buyers won't love paying up, but that is the price they pay for more options in the spring market. If buyers are looking for a deal, now is not the time to enter the market. There is fierce competition so buyers will need to be prepared if they want to win a bid in the spring. We have seen upwards of 10-13 offers on one home and in most cases the winning bid can be as high as 10% over asking price.
First-time homebuyer tips – steps to take before house hunting in a tight real estate market
With a competitive spring market buyers will need to be extremely prepared if they want a chance at winning a bid. Here are some thing you need to consider.
📌 1. Assess Your Financial Situation
Check your credit score (higher scores = better mortgage rates).
Get pre-approved for a mortgage to know your budget before shopping. Talk to your mortgage broker about options. You don't HAVE to put down 20% to buy a home. There are plenty of other options out there.
🏡 2. Define Your Must-Haves vs. Nice-to-Haves
What’s essential? (Location, number of bedrooms, school district, etc.)
What’s flexible? (Open floor plan, backyard size, updated kitchen, etc.)
🔍 3. Research & Work with a Realtor
Browse listings online to get a feel for prices in your area.
Partner with a trusted real estate agent to help navigate the market. You can view our team of brokers in Chicagoland here.
🚶 4. Visit Open Houses & Schedule Showings
Compare multiple homes to understand what’s available in your price range.
Look beyond cosmetics—focus on layout, condition, and potential repairs.
It's never too early to jump in and learn the market. The more you see the better prepared you will feel when you see the "right one."
📝 5. Be Ready to Make an Offer
In a competitive market, homes sell fast! Be prepared to act quickly (sometimes within 24 hours after viewing a home).
Most winning bids these days include terms like, as-is, over asking price, a quick close, no mortgage contingency and possibly a free rent back to name a few. You will want to work with your Realtor to figure out what all this means and how to make the most strategic offer that you are comfortable with.
Whether you are selling or buying, the spring real estate market in Chicagoland can be challenging and hard to navigate. Make sure you align yourself with a real estate professional to help guide you with one of life's biggest decisions.
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