How Real Estate Valuation Services Help Prevent Overpaying in a Competitive Market In today’s competitive real estate market, buyers are often pressured to move quickly, waive contingencies, and offer well above asking price just to stay in the game. While speed can help secure a property, it can also increase the risk of overpaying. This … Read more
Why Investors Rely on Professional Real Estate Valuation Services Before Expanding Their Portfolio For real estate investors and landlords, growth is rarely about impulse, it is about precision. Whether you are adding a duplex to a growing rental portfolio or considering a larger multifamily acquisition, the numbers must work long before an offer is made. … Read more
Evanston Housing Update: What’s Really Driving Property Values and Home Appraisals? Subtitle for This Block Text for This Block Evanston has always stood apart from many Chicago-area suburbs. With a blend of historic homes, lakefront properties, and a strong local economy anchored by Northwestern University, the city offers a level of stability that appeals to … Read more
How Redfin’s 2026 Housing Forecast Could Be Good News for Appraisal Companies in Chicago Redfin recently released its big 2026 housing outlook — calling the upcoming year “The Great Housing Reset.” Instead of another roller-coaster year, Redfin expects something most buyers, sellers, and real-estate pros have been craving: a slow, steady return to normal. Source: … Read more
Neighborhood Spotlight: Lincoln Park’s Evolving Property Values Lincoln Park continues to stand out as one of Chicago’s most dynamic real estate markets, blending historic architecture, walkable streets, and strong buyer demand. With shifting interest rates and changing buyer priorities, lincoln park home appraisals are reflecting a neighborhood that remains resilient—even as the broader Chicago market … Read more
How Chicago’s Housing Market Compares to the Rest of the U.S. Last week, we looked at how Chicago’s housing market is holding its own in a pretty strange national environment. This week, let’s zoom out. A lot of U.S. metros are going through real shifts, while Chicago keeps moving along at a steadier pace. That … Read more
October Housing Costs in Chicago: What Buyers & Sellers Need to Know Now Chicago’s housing market kept its steady, slightly cooling pace through October — but the story is more nuanced than a simple “up or down” headline. For homeowners thinking about listing, and for buyers trying to read the market, understanding how the city’s … Read more
Valuation Appraisals: Home Upgrades That Increase Your Sale Price When you’re preparing a home for sale, one of the key factors that sellers and appraisers alike consider is the condition and appeal of the property from the perspective of a valuation appraisal. By making targeted upgrades, you can help your home stand out in comps, … Read more
What Appraisers Actually Look for During a Home Appraisal When you’re buying, selling, or refinancing a home, one of the biggest questions is: what exactly does an appraiser look for? Understanding this can help you prepare your property for a home appraisal, before the appraiser ever steps inside. At Real Valuation Services (RVS), our certified … Read more
Why September Home Sales Matter for a House Appraisal in Chicago If you’re preparing a home purchase and house appraisal in Chicago, recent September housing data offers valuable context on what your property may be worth today. Appraisals are tied closely to market conditions — and the latest numbers from the Illinois REALTORS® show a … Read more