✏️ Editor’s Note: Realtor Associations, agents, and MLS’ have started implementing changes related to the NAR’s $418 million settlement. While home-sellers will likely save thousands in commission, compliance and litigation risks have significantly increased for sellers throughout the nation. Learn how NAR’s settlement affects home sellers.
89% of buyers used real estate agents or brokers to buy homes. Additionally, 85% of sellers believe agents can secure a higher sale price for their homes. This highlights the value of professional help, but these services come with a steep cost.
Real estate companies charge a 5-6% commission on the sale price, which can amount to $24,000 for a $400,000 home. With such hefty fees, these companies must provide value that justifies the cost.
People rely on real estate companies for their market knowledge, negotiation skills, and ability to handle complex paperwork. Whether you’re considering a full-service brokerage or a tech-driven platform, here are our top picks in the Prairie State.
Top 6 Real Estate Companies in Illinois:
-
For Home Sellers
- Houzeo: Best Technology
- RE/MAX: Expert Assistance
- Dream Town Realty: Best for Local Market
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For Home Buyers
- Coldwell Banker Realty: Best for Investment Properties
- Baird & Warner: Best for Residential Properties
- eXp Realty: Best as Traditional Realtor
Best Real Estate Companies in Illinois for Home Sellers
Here are the top 3 real estate companies in Illinois that help sellers maximize their savings.
1. Houzeo
#1 Flat Fee MLS Service
Listing Fee: $3994.9/5
Houzeo is a high-tech platform with easy listing, fast changes, and online showings and offers.
You can choose from 4 Flat Fee MLS packages:
- Bronze Package – $399+$350 at Close: This package offers a Houzeo listing only for 6 months with 24 photos.
- Silver Package – $399+0.5% at Close: This offers maximum photo upload and provides you with seller disclosures.
- Gold Package—$429+0.5 % at Close: This is Houzeo’s signature MLS package and includes all the technology Houzeo is known for, such as Houzeo Showings, Houzeo Offers, and DigiTransact.
- Platinum Package – $449+1% at Close: It includes the assistance of a licensed broker to help you with negotiations, seller disclosures, and closing.
👉 Our Take: We recommend the GOLD plan. You’ll have access to Houzeo tech, making managing showings and offer negotiations easy! Before you list, confirm all prices on your particular state’s pricing page.
» Houzeo Reviews: Find out why 10,000+ Americans love Houzeo.
Houzeo is America’s #1 Flat Fee MLS service because of 5 reasons:
- Max Exposure: Houzeo’s listing packages get your home on Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, Redfin, and 100s of other real estate websites.
- 5-star Customer Service: Houzeo has a fully staffed customer service desk available 6 days a week. Chats and emails are open 7 days a week.
- 100% Online: Houzeo is a high-tech platform with easy listing, fast changes, online showings, and online offers. Its powerful house search app makes your home visible to potential buyers on the go.
- No Hidden Fees: All fees are disclosed upfront, so there are no Houzeo hidden fees. You get to bypass the traditional listing agent commission.
- Free Home Value Estimator: Now, you can get a free home value estimate within 30 seconds. It helps you set a listing price.
There are no dealbreakers with Houzeo.
» Is Houzeo Legit? Houzeo addresses all Houzeo complaints from home sellers.
Houzeo is rated 4.9 out of 5 stars by thousands of home sellers on Google & Trustpilot.
» Houzeo Reviews: Houzeo is rated “Excellent“ by 10,020+ home sellers.
Houzeo is Illinois’s #1 real estate company. It offers maximum savings, excellent customer support, and advanced technology.
Houzeo also provides affordable listing packages to Illinois home sellers. You can list on Illinois MLS through Houzeo and save thousands in commissions while reaching a wide buyer audience.
2. RE/MAX
Good Exposure
3% - 6% Commission1/5
RE/MAX has its headquarters in Orlando, FL. The company does not disclose agent commissions on its website. However, based on reviews you may have to pay 3% to 6% as commission.
- No corporate fee is involved with RE/MAX referrals. You can choose the agents or vice versa and set the terms of your agreement.
👉 Our Take: RE/MAX is known for its reputation and credibility. It is a solid choice for home sellers due to its extensive network and experienced agents. The company offers unparalleled exposure for your property.
Here are the key features of RE/MAX:
- Global Reach: RE/MAX has over 135,000 agents, and its network is spread over 100 countries.
- Competitive Home Pricing: Agents at RE/MAX will conduct an in-depth evaluation and a CMA of your property to price your home competitively.
- Additional Service: RE/MAX Collection and RE/MAX Commercial offer specialized tools and advertising programs to luxury and commercial real estate professionals.
Here are some drawbacks of RE/MAX:
- Limited Discount Options: The company focuses on traditional full-service brokerage rather than discount or low-cost options.
- Inconsistent Service: Service quality may vary depending on the local franchise office.
RE/MAX has a poor rating of 1 out of 5 stars from 300+ users on Consumer Affairs.
RE/MAX LLC is part of RE/MAX Holdings and has more than 135,000 agents in over 100 countries. It is known for its large network and expert seller assistance.
RE/MAX has a high market share in residential and commercial real estate. Clients also have access to market data and valuation tools and a user-friendly search platform.
3. Dream Town Realty
🎯 LOCAL FOCUS
3% - 6% Commission4.4/5
Dream Town is a local real estate brokerage providing services to home sellers in Chicago and neighboring areas. They specialize in marketing and selling luxury homes, providing tailored services for high-end properties.
- Pricing is not disclosed on the website, so you might pay the standard 3% – 6% commission.
👉 Our Take: Dream Town Real Estate has a widespread presence in and around Chicago. It offers home-sellers services like 3-D home tours, and professional photography which are not typically provided by many real estate companies.
Here are highlights of Dream Town:
- Setting a Price: Dream Town provides a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) report of your property to ascertain the price of your property.
- Prepare Your Home: It offers services in home staging, professional photography, conducting 3-D home tours, and repairs and fixes for your home.
- Extensive Marketing: It uses digital and traditional marketing techniques to ensure maximum market exposure to your property.
- Experienced Brokers: Dream Town brokers have exceptional exposure to the Chicago real estate market.
Here are some red flags of Dream Town Real Estate, that could make have an impact on your home-selling experience.
- No Mobile App: Down Town lacks a mobile app to help you manage listings at your fingertips.
- Average Customer Service: Previous customers have complained about the unprofessionalism of agents.
Dream Town Realty has a 4.4 out of 5 stars rating with (120+ reviews) on Google Reviews.
Dream Town Realty is a full-service brokerage firm, operating since 1998. It has a team of about 400 brokers across Illinois. They analyze your goal and offer personalized services.
However, many customers have reported poor service. Also, despite having an online presence they do not have any mobile application.
Best Real Estate Companies in Illinois for Home Buyers
Here are the top home-buying companies in Florida to help you find your dream home.
1. Coldwell Banker Realty
MOST SUCCESSFUL INVESTORS
Based in New Jersey4.9/5
Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC is an American full-service real estate brokerage.
- No Service Fee: As a buyer, you do not have to pay any fee to avail services of Coldwell Banker.
👉 Our Take: Coldwell Banker is great for buyers because of its long-standing experience and wide property selection. It is especially helpful for those looking to invest in popular areas or unique properties.
Key features of Coldwell Banker include:
- Experts in Negotiations: Coldwell Banker’s agents are skilled and have considerable experience in negotiating the best deal for you.
- Lender Assistance: It helps you to find a lender for pre-qualification according to your affordability.
- Home Search: With MLS and other tools, agents find your ideal home based on your preferences and budget.
- Finance Assistance: It helps with down payments, mortgage prequalification, and getting your finances ready to buy a house.
- Strong Agent Network: Your agent can find many property options for you as they have good connections with other real estate agents.
Red flags of Coldwell Banker include:
- Less Flexibility in Negotiation: The company’s established policies might offer less flexibility in negotiating commission rates.
- Inconsistent Agent Quality: While many agents are experienced, the quality of service can vary depending on the specific agent assigned.
- Lapses in Transactions: Customer complaints include delays in transactions and unresponsive agents.
Coldwell Banker is rated 4.9 out of 5 stars from 200+ reviews on Trustpilot
Coldwell Banker, based in New Jersey, has been a trusted name in real estate for over a century. It offers services for various property types, from residential homes to investment properties.
Coldwell Banker offers market analysis tools to help clients make informed decisions. It also provides virtual tours and detailed online listings. However, their extensive network can sometimes lead to less personalized service.
2. Baird & Warner
Best for residential real estate
#16 largest independent brokerage in the US2.2/5
20+ reviews
Baird & Warner Real Estate is one of the largest family-owned real estate companies in Illinois, serving both buyers and sellers in Chicagoland.
- No Service Fee: Buyers do not have to pay any fees to avail services from Baird and Warner Real Estate.
👉 Our Take: Baird & Warner Real Estate has been helping home buyers in Illinois to purchase their dream home for the past 160 years.
» Real Estate Brokers in Illinois: Get to know about top brokers and brokerages.
Key Highlights of Baird & Warner are:
- Pre-approval: Key Mortgage, a lending partner of Baird and Warner, will help you determine whether you can afford your dream house. They offer loan programs and products to find you a suitable loan.
- Map Search: You can visually browse properties with the help of Map Search.
- HomeFinder Account: It’s a personalized account that has an array of customizable tools such as email property alerts, favorite properties, client care, and more to help you find your desired property.
- Negotiation Specialists: Agents at Baird & Warner are specialized in negotiating the best deal for you.
- Title Service Teams: Baird & Warner’s network of about 1,000 attorneys will work towards ensuring your property is free of liens.
- Excellent Local Coverage: Baird and Warner Real Estate is active in Chicagoland and neighboring areas. It has 29 offices across Illinois to cater to buyers.
One of the major deal breakers of Baird & Warner is:
- Inconsistent Agent Quality: Customers have complained about the laid-back attitude and unresponsiveness of agents.
Baird and Warner have a 2.2 out of 5 rating on Yelp.
Baird & Warner is one of the largest independent brokerages serving Chicago and neighboring areas. It has more than 2,300 real estate brokers and about 29 sales offices.
From assistance in pre-approval to negotiations, the agents assist buyers from the start till the close. We suggest you conduct due diligence since the office locations vary.
3. eXp Realty
Global Online Brokerage
Based in Washington2.9/5
eXp Realty is one of the top US real estate companies that provide a variety of services to buyers. Its agents use cutting-edge technology from the cloud-based platform and database system.
- No Service Fee: eXp Realty does not charge buyers a direct fee for using its services.
👉 Our Take: The real estate agents of eXp Realty are experienced professionals. We recommend going for this company if you want to work with a traditional real estate agent and are a first-time home buyer.
Here are some of the advantages of choosing eXp Realty:
- Local Expertise: eXp realty agents have expertise in local real estate market data. Their market insights will help you in your real estate transactions.
- Investment Advice: The agents guide you in your financial and investment decisions.
- Assistance with Negotiation: Whether it is about negotiating home offers, inspection amounts, repairs, or legal agreements, you will get a negotiator to do it on your behalf.
Here are a few drawbacks we found about eXp Realty:
- Limited Physical Offices: eXp Realty operates mostly online, which can be inconvenient for those who prefer face-to-face interactions.
- Less Personal Touch: The virtual model may offer less personalized service compared to traditional firms.
- Learning Curve: Adapting to its tech-driven platform might be difficult for some buyers.
eXp Realty has a rating of 2.9 out of 5 on Google Reviews.
eXp Realty is a modern real estate company known for its innovative approach and virtual business model. It offers a technology-driven platform that appeals to buyers looking for a more flexible real estate experience.
eXp Realty also assists with negotiating home offers, inspection costs, repairs, and legal agreements. However, the virtual model may not suit those who prefer face-to-face interactions with their agent.
Best Real Estate Companies to Work for in Illinois
When you choose a real estate company to work for in Illinois, it’s important to consider how the commission is split. Most real estate agents get paid a commission which is then divided between the agent and the brokerage.
For example, if you sell a $300,000 home with a 6% commission split equally between buyer and seller agents, you’d get 3% or $9,000. With a 60/40 split, you’d receive $5,400 before taxes. Some brokerages now offer salaries and benefits, so it’s worth exploring various options.
Here’s a comparison of top real estate brokerages in Illinois:
| Brokerage | Commission Split | Best For |
| Keller Williams | 70/30 | Agents seeking higher commissions and more educational resources. |
| RE/MAX | 95/5, 80/20, 70/30, 60/40 (capping system) | Agents who want customized commission splits and desk fees. |
| Century 21 | 50/50, 70/30 + 8% franchise fee (capping system) | Agents who want brokerage brand recognition. |
| Coldwell Banker | 50/50, 60/40, 70/30 (capping system) | Agents who need marketing, lead generation, and other tools. |
| Compass | 50/50 | Agents who want access to a wide range of online resources and tools. |
What to Consider When Choosing a Real Estate Brokerage to Work For?
- Franchise vs. Independent Choices: Franchises like RE/MAX and Keller Williams offer a nationwide presence and provide more support and training. Independent real estate firms offer more freedom but may have fewer resources.
- Company Reputation: Research the brokerage’s market presence and reputation. A reputable company can help with lead generation.
- Support and Resources Offered: Some brokerages provide mentorship programs and free advertising, while others offer minimal support. You can also visit company events to get a feel for the work culture.
- Scope for Specialization: Consider the brokerage’s niche and how it aligns with your interests and local opportunities in Illinois’s real estate market.
How to Choose the Best Real Estate Company in Illinois?
You can choose the best real estate companies based on these factors:
For Sellers:
- Strong Technology: A company’s website should have robust technology that can make selling a house more efficient. Also, look for features like virtual tours, professional photos, and user-friendly interfaces.
- Responsive Customer Service: Having good customer service can help you with smooth real estate transactions. Find a company that aligns with your preferences and also has helpful customer service.
- Maximum Exposure: Find a company that will give maximum exposure to your property. This could also include an MLS listing, social media advertisement, and customizable yard signs.
For Buyers:
- Property Listings: Look for a company with access to many property listings on the MLS. This way, you’ll see all the listings in the area you like.
- Buyer-Friendly Tools: Look for a company with useful online tools. It will help you compare houses, learn about neighborhoods, and also figure out how much your mortgage payment could be.
- Experienced Agents: Seek a company with agents who have experience with buyers. They should be able to guide you through every step, from looking at houses to finally buying one.
Are Real Estate Companies in Illinois Worth It?
Yes! Real estate companies in Illinois are worth it. Top companies offer advanced technology, a large network of agents, and maximum savings. This is where Houzeo stands out as a smart choice for sellers in Illinois.
Houzeo offers a flat fee listing service that saves sellers thousands of dollars in commissions. With user-friendly tools, it is ideal for homeowners looking to sell their homes quickly.
Eager to Know How Houzeo Works?
We have got you covered. Check out how you can list your property on the MLS with Houzeo.
» Need More Clarity? Read these exclusive Houzeo reviews and learn why it is one of the best FSBO sites in America.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best real estate companies to sell your home with in Illinois?
Houzeo is the best real estate company for home sellers in Illinois. It offers sellers maximum savings, dedicated customer support and 100% online experience. RE/MAX and Dream Town Realty are some of the other options to sell your home.
» Best Real Estate Companies in Illinois: Find out the top companies in Illinois.
What are the best real estate companies for buyers in Illinois?
The best real estate companies for home buyers in Illinois are Coldwell Banker Realty, Baird & Warner, eXp Realty. They offer buyers various services and tools such as property comparisons, virtual showings, and mortgage calculators
What is the best luxury real estate company in Illinois?
Premier Sotheby’s International Realty is considered one of the best luxury real estate companies in Illinois. It offers services like home staging, high-resolution photography, drone footage and virtual tours.
How can I sell my property quickly in Illinois?
You should set a competitive price, enhance curb appeal, and highlight your home features effectively to sell your house fast in Illinois.
