Selling Your Car Privately in Chicago, Illinois

Why Sell Your Car Privately?

There are a number of reasons to deal privately when selling your car:

• Higher Sale Price: When selling independently, you are likely to make a better deal than a trade-in with a dealership. Dealers making these trade-in offers are likely to build in the costs to resell it. This real cost decreases what they offer you.

• Direct Deal: You negotiate directly with buyers when selling privately. This gives you much more control.

• Stronger Position to Wait: With a private sale, you are able to wait for the best offer rather than accept possibly low offers found at the dealership and their often-set trade-in deals.

Selling privately with KarKiosk is an easy way for car owners in Chicago to get the highest value for their car, while at the same time not spending hours of time selling it.

Steps to Sell Your Car Privately in Chicago with KarKiosk

KarKiosk provides Chicagoans and its surrounding suburbs with an easy way to conduct a private sale. Here are ways to prepare for a successful private sale:

Preparing Your Car for Sale

The old adage "You never get a second chance to make a first impression" is critical to selling a car.
Here are a few tips to help your car shine its brightest:

• Clean Your Car: Yes, getting some soap and water and vacuuming your car may not seem as valuable to you, but the look of the outside and inside of your car could change the attitude of a potential buyer as they begin the process of finding a car for themselves.

• Make Repairs: If there are little things to be fixed, busted bulb, scratches to the body, then repairing these can have a positive effect on how much of a reliable and well-kept vehicle you are presenting to the potential buyer.

• Get Service Done On Your Car: There may not be any service for the car needed, however, you may want to try and ensure you are as sure as you can be the service completed (if any) is all done and ok.

Take Quality Photos

Photos sell cars! So, while taking quality photos at all angles is important, clear and good quality is paramount. You will want natural light so early morning or late afternoon would be best for clear and quality photos. Here are some suggestions:

• Outside photos from many different angles
• Inside photos of the seats, dashboard and trunk
• Close up photos of tires and the engine

A group of "nice" and "quality" photos will attract buyers in your area that are looking at their next potential vehicle purchase.

Write a Detailed Description

A detailed car description may make or break your listing. It is important to include:

• Make, model, year and mileage of the vehicle.
• Additional notable features (i.e. heated seats, exceptional safety features, etc.)
• Service that has been completed recently, or upgrades that you have done.
• Honest recognition of blemishes, if any exist.

KarKiosk gives you the ability to write quality listings that you can feel good about knowing you highlighted the best features of your car.

Include a Vehicle History Report

Buyers want to know the whole story. When the buyers see some or all Vehicle History Reports (i.e. Carfax) you are establishing the level of trust individuals are required to have, and you are showing evidence for if the vehicle has a clean title, in addition all relevant history such as accident info, number of previous owners, service records, etc. Collectively the buyer's trust will be established in relatively quick fashion and this will help with speeding up negotiations tremendously.

Be Sure to Upload a Condition Report

A condition report will also add some credibility to your vehicle and prove its authenticity. Be sure to point out the important things that would matter to a buyer. A buyer's main focus would likely be:

• Brake/Tire Condition
• Engine Condition
• The Interior and Exterior Condition

In a listing, companies like KarKiosk allow you to upload this document to support the value of your listing and help attract serious buyers in the Chicago area.

List Your Vehicle on KarKiosk

KarKiosk was created for individualized sellers in places like Chicago galore. You are able to submit your listing and immediately become connected with buyers in your area who are waiting to send you an offer. Once you've cleaned your vehicle, took pictures and have written an eye-appealing listing, use KarKiosk to share your listing with your target audience.

A Few Additional Tips for Documentation when Selling a Car in Chicago, IL

Selling a vehicle privately in Chicago, which is Cook County, means some laws will apply and there will be documentation needed as I outlined above. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

Required Documents

• Certificate of Title: You can sign the title to the buyer ensuring the assignment and warranty sections are filled out properly. If your title has been lost, you can get a duplicate from the Illinois Secretary of State (ILSOS) office.

• Bill of Sale: The state of Illinois does not legally require a bill of sale but, it is highly recommended you use one. Make it clear using one including, names, addresses, sale price and vehicle details.

• Odometer Disclosure Statement: Federal law requires an odometer disclosure statement for vehicles that are less than 10 years old. Keep track of the current mileage when you sell it.

• License Plates: It is the law in Illinois that you remove your license plates if you sell your car.

• Notice of Sale: Inform the Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) about the sale to protect you from future liabilities.

Read the DMV's full details about these items at the Illinois DMV and forms at ilsos.gov.

Rewards of Private Sales of Cars with KarKiosk, When Selling Near Chicago’s Suburbs

There are benefits to selling privately near Chicago or in its surrounding suburbs, like Oak Park, Evanston, Naperville, or Schaumburg. Buyers in the Chicagoland area like private sales near them, as they are able to see and inspect the vehicle in person.

KarKiosk connects you with local buyers and increases the chances of connecting with someone looking to make a purchase. Also, by selling with KarKiosk in your area, you have avoided costs or headaches of transport/triage.

The Advantages of Suburban Sellers:

• Naperville & Schaumburg: These suburbs develop family buyers, they believe in buying clean well-equipped, pre-owned vehicles.

• Evanston: Is a "close" suburb of Chicago and tells buyers it's a smart decision to purchase privately.

• Oak Park: Buyers appreciate eco-friendly sellers. Share the fuel efficiency and anything else eco-friendly about the car.

Selling Privately vs. Trade-In

Are you still debating selling privately vs trading in your car? Here is a simple comparison:

Selling privately, through KarKiosk, means you receive the rewards of a higher return while still enjoying an easy process, as KarKiosk guides you along the way.

Start Selling with KarKiosk Today

Selling your car privately in Chicago, IL does not have to be complicated. KarKiosk makes it easier than ever to get connected to serious buyers, showcase your vehicle, and complete your sale with confidence. Whether you are in Chicago, Naperville or Schaumburg, KarKiosk will ensure that your listing connects to a local buyer that is ready to buy.

Sign up now to start your listing and take advantage of expert car selling tactics, transparency tools and seamless sales process. Visit KarKiosk today to get started selling your car now!