PRIVATE SALE APPRAISALS · NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Selling Without an Agent? Price It Right the First Time.
Get an independent, market-backed appraisal that gives you buyer credibility, a defensible asking price, and a negotiation anchor no one can dismiss.
State-Certified Appraiser
Residential Appraiser
USPAP-Compliant Reports
Every appraisal
BBB A+ Accredited
Accredited Business
Independent Valuation
No brokerage stake
When You Need a Private Sale Appraisal
You've decided to handle the sale yourself. Here's why sellers in every situation come to us before they list.
Why FSBO Sellers in Northern Illinois Choose VanEtten Appraisal
Selling your home without an agent is a smart financial decision. What it isn't is a reason to skip professional pricing.
Here's the truth about FSBO pricing in Northern Illinois: most sellers use Zillow, Redfin, or a quick look at neighbor sales to set their asking price. Some use a CMA from an agent who hopes to win the listing. Neither of those is objective, and neither of them will hold up when a buyer's agent pushes back at the negotiating table.
VanEtten Appraisal fills that gap. We are not affiliated with any brokerage. We have no commission stake in your sale. We produce a state-certified, USPAP-compliant appraisal report that reflects actual market conditions in your specific area, not an algorithm's best guess.
The NAR settlement changed the math for FSBO sellers. Since August 2024, the mechanism buyer's agents used to quietly filter out or deprioritize FSBO listings has been eliminated. Sellers are no longer required to offer buyer-agent compensation through the MLS. FSBO has not been this viable in decades. But the settlement doesn't price your home for you.
Here is what goes wrong without the right number. Overpricing is the most common FSBO mistake. A home that sits on the market for 90 days gets stigmatized. Buyers wonder what's wrong with it. You end up cutting the price anyway, and now you've negotiated against yourself. Underpricing is quieter and just as costly: you close fast, the buyer is thrilled, and you never know what you left behind. On a $300,000 home, a 7% error is $21,000. That is not a rounding issue.
The third failure mode hits at the finish line: the buyer's lender orders their own appraisal, it comes in below your agreed price, and the deal falls apart. A pre-listing appraisal from VanEtten Appraisal gives you advance confirmation that your price is supportable, so there are no surprises in escrow.
No other Northern Illinois appraiser has built a practice specifically around FSBO and private sale clients in this region. This is our specialty. When you hand a buyer documentation from VanEtten Appraisal, you are handing them something a Zestimate cannot produce: a state-certified opinion from an independent professional who walked your home, pulled the comps, and did the math.
Who We Work With
Homeowners Selling FSBO
Independent sellers who want market-backed pricing and buyer credibility without a listing agent.
Real Estate Attorneys
Illinois attorneys handling private sale contracts, family transfers, and title work who need a certified valuation.
Title Companies
Title officers processing FSBO closings who need appraisal documentation to support the transaction.
Buyers in Private Transactions
Buyers purchasing directly from an owner who need an independent valuation before committing to a price.
How It Works
Simple, straightforward, and faster than you expect.
Contact Us With Your Property Details
Call (779) 207-6523 or submit the form below. Tell us about the property, your timeline, and what you need the appraisal for. We schedule the inspection around your availability.
We Inspect and Analyze the Market
A state-certified appraiser visits your property, measures it, documents its condition and features, and pulls comparable sales from your specific market area. No algorithms. No automated estimates.
Receive a Report You Can Share With Buyers
Your USPAP-compliant appraisal report arrives within a few business days. Share it with potential buyers, their agents, or their lenders. It is a certified, professional document that stands on its own.
“VanEtten Appraisal Service is the only call you need to make! I called VanEtten Appraisal Service just last Thursday, 4/24, based on their 5.0 Google rating and the very favorable written reviews. I am now adding my own. We are looking to sell our home and I called hoping for an appointment on 4/29 or 4/30 and Scott was able to be here today (4/29) and I even have my written appraisal in hand the very same day! He was on time, extremely professional, and very kind to my grandchildren that were present. The whole process was very straightforward and Scott was pleasant to work with. I highly recommend VanEtten Appraisal Service!”
Debbie Weslow | Google Review
“My experience was beyond amazing. Scott is a very personable individual with a great sense of humor. He is intentional, punctual, and very knowledgeable. He is very detailed in every aspect of his job. Communication is amazing as well, whether it be phone calls, text, or emails. There would be no hesitation to refer anyone to VanEtten Appraisal Service.”
Scott A. Cater, DC | Google Review
“Scott is a great guy that has integrity and the expertise to show values with accuracy and professionalism. I was impressed with his attention to detail and commitment to quality. He was thorough and was able to communicate through the entire process.”
Michael Golembiesky | Google Review
“I needed a prompt and professional appraisal for my home and Scott was able to work my request into his busy schedule on short notice, delivered the appraisal within a couple of days, and charged a very reasonable rate! I am very satisfied with his work and I recommend him to anyone needing real estate appraisals!”
John | Google Review
“I called four different appraisal companies. Scott got back to me immediately. Two of the companies never even called me back and the fourth person got back to me but told me it would be 2 to 3 weeks. I called Scott Friday at 4:00 p.m. he called me back Saturday morning. He came out on Monday to appraise the house and I had the report on Wednesday. Awesome job. I highly recommend him. Prompt, thorough and knowledgeable.”
Terry Herbig | Google Review
Private Sale Appraisal FAQs
Questions? Call (779) 207-6523.
Ready to Price Your Home?
Sell with confidence. Get a certified, independent appraisal you can hand to any buyer in Northern Illinois.
- Fast communication, real answers. No waiting around.
- No obligation, just accurate information
- Serving all of Northern Illinois from 4 locations
- Reports accepted by all major lenders and courts