Chicago's North Shore villages of Winnetka, Northfield, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Glenview, and 
Glencoe have traditionally kicked off their real estate season as early as January. Potential sellers have waited for the end-of-year holiday season to end before listing their homes.
Springtime brings a hop to your step! There is daylight savings time, warmer weather, and little green shoots pushing through the ground. Who wouldn't want to be out looking a new houses after months of cabin fever.
Sellers, meantime, can use the early cold months to get their house ready for market. This is the time to organize, clean up, and even start packing. Painting, repairs, and staging can be done while the inevitable snow falls.
Sellers who list in the Spring are generally looking for a summer close - particularly those with children and school schedules to consider. A summertime move is much easier and quicker. While the North Shore can have some pretty spectacular summer thunderstorms, it's a better bet to get a clear day in July than January.
But is it really the best time of year to list your home? What if you can't or don't want to move until some other time of the year? When you plan to sell in the Spring, you will have lots of competition - but also lots of interested buyers who haven't had much to see in several months.
Conversely, if you list your home in say, September, you will have fewer buyers, but much less competion as well. If you've received a new job or a transfer, you can't wait for the ideal time to list your home. But having less competition means fewer homes on the market. As long as your home is market-ready and priced competitively, you will still sell in a reasonable amount of time.
I have listed homes in June and July that still sold in time for the new owners to enroll their kids in school. In fact, most school districts will allow a new family's children to start school as long as they have a written contract on the home.
Be realistic about the market and talk to several agents to find the right fit when you consider selling your home.
Call me for more information on this year's North Shore real estate market - including Winnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Glencoe, Northfield, and Glenview. 847-977-6024
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