From Galena to Cairo, more Illinoians are selling their homes FSBO than ever before. Millennials lead the way, with over 55% comfortable selling their homes themselves. FSBO home sellers want to maximize their savings while retaining full control of their sale.
With the right FSBO site, you can save over $22,500 on a median $410,500 home. But beware of cheap services with hidden fees and low buyer exposure. That’s why we’ve spent thousands of hours researching and ranking the best For Sale By Owner websites for you!
Rankings: 5 Best For Sale By Owner Websites in Illinois
| FSBO Website | Listing Fee | 100% Online* | MLS Access | Online Showings & Offers | 5 Star Customer Service** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Houzeo.com | $199 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 2. Circle One Realty | $145 - $495 | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| 3. FSBO.com | $399 | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 4. ForSaleByOwner.com | $0 | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| 5. Zillow | $0 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
* Companies rated 4.75 stars and above are considered 5-star
What Are the Types of FSBO Websites?
There are two types of FSBO websites to sell your home by owner in Illinois:
- Paid FSBO Websites: The paid websites let you list your home FSBO on Illinois MLS for a fixed fee. The MLS syndicates your listing to 100+ real estate websites like Zillow, Redfin, Trulia.
- Free FSBO Websites: They provide a free listing on their own website but not on the MLS. The lack of MLS exposure limits the number of buyers and can reduce the selling price.
Reviews: Best Paid FSBO Websites
1. Houzeo
BEST FSBO WEBSITE
Listing Fee: $199Houzeo offers 3 FSBO MLS listing packages:
- Silver Package – $199: You can list your property on the MLS with 24 photos and for 6 months. It also becomes visible on Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, etc. You can also make unlimited changes to your listing.
- Gold Package – $249: You can post the maximum number of photos, avail licensed broker assistance, get access to seller disclosures, and a premium yard sign.
- Platinum Package – $299: You get virtual full assistance from a licensed broker and a 12-month listing term.
Based on the plan you choose, there's an additional 0.5% to 1.25% due at closing.
Here are the key features that make Houzeo one of the top FSBO websites:
- Max Exposure: Houzeo’s MLS packages give you visibility to the MLS, Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, Redfin, and 100s of other 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 interested buyers on the go.
- No Hidden Fees: In most states, you’ll pay just a small flat fee to list on MLS by owner. Remember, all fees are disclosed upfront, so there are no Houzeo hidden fees. You also bypass the 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 red flags with Houzeo.
Houzeo is rated 4.9 out of 5 stars by thousands of home sellers on Google & Trustpilot.
» Houzeo Reviews: With over 10,090+ happy customers, Houzeo is the most trusted FSBO website.
👉 Our Take: We recommend Houzeo’s Gold plan for most home sellers. It offers the best combination of 5-star customer service, Houzeo’s unique technology, max exposure, and broker assistance. And with the Gold plan, you’ll save between 2% and 5% of your sale price in commission.
2. Circle One Realty
LACKS IN TECHNOLOGY
Listing Fee: $295Circle One Realty offers 4 Flat Fee MLS packages that provide cost-effective solutions for home sellers.
- MLS Entry Package – $145: You can list your vacant land on the local MLS. It is then syndicated to Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, and more. You get to upload 1 photo for a listing term of 3 months.
- MLS Basic Package – $295: You can list your home for 6 months with 25 photos. You also get full-service realtor support and a standard yard sign.
- MLS Classic Package – $495: This includes MLS Basic Package services with a 12-month listing term. You also get the additional benefits of a lockbox combo and professional photography.
- MLS Elite Package – $495: This top-tier package includes all the features of the MLS Classic Package. Additionally, you can list your home until it sells or you get to cancel the listing.
Here are some advantages of listing with Circle One Realty:
- Full-Service Realtor Support: All the packages come with comprehensive realtor services to help you throughout the sale process.
- Photography Services: The Classic and Elite packages include professional real estate photography to enhance your listing’s appeal.
- Yard Signs: The Elite package comes with a professional yard sign. The Basic and Classic packages include a standard yard sign, upgradeable to a professional one.
Our research uncovered some deal-breakers you should consider before choosing Circle One Realty:
- Limited Coverage: They cover only 44 counties in Illinois. If your house is outside those areas, you cannot list with Circle One Realty.
- Not 100% Online: The tech stack of Circle One Realty is modest. Many procedures, like form filling and listing, need to be manually completed. Paperwork might delay your listing process.
- Entry Package for Vacant Land ONLY: You can only list a vacant land on the MLS with this package. The listing lasts just 3 months and includes only one photo.
- Sellers may Require Add-ons: Circle One Realty offers comprehensive packages, but add-ons for custom needs may raise costs.
Circle One Realty is rated 5 out of 5 stars from 230+ reviews on Google.
» Circle One Realty: Read our in-depth review to know more about the company.
👉 Our Take: We recommend Circle One Realty if you want a full-service Realtor support. However, if you want more control over your sale, this might not be a suitable option. They also don’t provide online tools or a mobile app to make your sale easy.
3. FSBO.com
NATIONAL REFERRAL COMPANY
Listing Fee: $99.95 - $399.95FSBO.com offers two packages for home sellers but only one of them lists on MLS:
- FSBO Package – $99.95: Your home is listed on FSBO.com for 6 months with unlimited photos and one video. In some states, it is also visible on Redfin.com. You need to pay extra for yard sign and other supplies.
- MLS Package – $399.95: You can list your home on MLS and FSBO.com for 6 months. It will be visible on other real estate websites like Zillow, Realtor.com, Trulia, etc. The services in this package vary from state to state.
Add-on Supplies:
- FSBO Yard Sign- $16.99
- For Sale By Owner sign- $8.99
- Open House Sign- $10.99
- Metal Sign Holders- $26.95
Here are some benefits of selling with FSBO.com:
- Affordable FSBO Listing: You can list your home on FSBO.com and Redfin.com for just $99.95. However, you won’t get MLS exposure.
- User-Friendly Interface: They offer a straightforward listing process on their platform. They also have tools to upload photos and set prices.
- Nationwide Coverage- FSBO.com provides services in all the states of US. However, the services included in MLS package vary based on the states.
Here are some red flags attached with FSBO.com that you must check:
- Limited Automation: FSBO.com doesn’t have a mobile app and the listing process is manual. This can delay the process.
- Extra Charges for Listing Photos: The MLS package doesn’t mention anything about allowed number of photos. You need to pay extra for the same.
- Expensive à la carte Services: The platform offers multiple required services, like yard signs, as add-ons which increases the overall costs.
FSBO.com has 2.9 stars out of 5 from 2 reviews on Trustpilot.
» FSBO.com Reviews: Read more to know about the one of the oldest FSBO websites.
👉 Our Take: We recommend FSBO.com to experienced home sellers who can market their properties and handle negotiations on their own. However, they lack tools to manage listing, offers and showings that are required for first time home sellers.
Reviews: Best Free FSBO Websites
You can check the reviews of the top free FSBO sites in Illinois here.
1. ForSaleByOwner.com
FREE FSBO LISTING
Listing Fee: $0ForSaleByOwner.com offers only 1 FSBO package:
- ‘Do It Yourself’ FSBO Package – $0: In this package, your home only gets listed on the ForSaleByOwner.com website. You don’t get an MLS listing. Your property is not visible on Zillow, Trulia, Redfin, etc. This limits your exposure and offers.
These are some pros to consider:
- Nationwide Coverage: ForSaleByOwner.com caters to customers throughout the United States.
- Control and Flexibility: You can set your schedule, host showings, and manage the sale process at your convenience.
- Direct Buyer Interaction: You can directly communicate with potential buyers through their messaging system.
We have found certain cons about ForSaleByOwner.com in our research:
- No Exposure: You can only list on the ForSaleByOwner.com website. It does not get syndicated to other real estate websites like Trulia, Zillow, Realtor.com.
- Lack of Technology: It can be time-consuming and demanding to manage the listings, showings, negotiations, and paperwork.
- Lead for Rocket Homes: Your listing information is shared with Rocket Homes agents. They may frequently contact you to solicit MLS listings.
ForSaleByOwner.com has a rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars on Best Company.
» ForSaleByOwner.com Reviews: Read this blog to learn more.
👉 Our Take: ForSaleByOwner.com offers a free listing, but without MLS exposure, your property won’t reach local buyers or agents in Illinois. We recommend them if you’re a marketing pro, but if not, you likely won’t get any offers.
2. Zillow
REAL ESTATE MARKETPLACE
Listing Fee: $0Zillow offers only 1 listing plan to home sellers:
- FSBO Listing on Zillow – $0: You can list your home for free on Zillow’s FSBO platform and on Trulia. However, it is not listed on MLS. This limits the visibility to other real estate websites.
You should consider these points while choosing Zillow:
- No Fees: You can list your home on Zillow’s FSBO website free of charge.
- Free Cancellation: Zillow listings can be cancelled without any additional charges or hidden costs.
- Nationwide Coverage: Zillow’s For Sale By Owner services are accessible in all 50 states across America.
- User-Friendly Interface: Their website and mobile app are easy to use and navigate. Users can search for properties based on filters like location, price, features, and other criteria.
We identified several disadvantages of listing with Zillow:
- Slow Listings: Your listing can take up to 72 hours to update from the time you submit your property details.
- Inaccurate Zestimate: Zestimate, Zillow’s property valuation tool is not always accurate. This misleads buyers and sellers.
- Limited Support: Zillow’s customer support may not match the level of personalized guidance other FSBO companies offer.
Zillow has a rating of 1.6 out of 5 stars from 400+ reviews on Trustpilot.
» Zillow’s For Sale By Owner Reviews: Read our in-depth review on Zillow.
👉 Our Take: We don’t recommend selling FSBO on Zillow. It’s like throwing a party and forgetting to send the invites. Your listing is buried in the ‘Other Listings’ tab, like being stuck in the VIP line with no bottle service. You avoid commissions, but you miss the exposure.
🚩 Beware of FSBO Companies with Hidden Fees
Some FSBO companies come with hidden fees that they don’t mention in their pricing section. They provide free or affordable listings, but charge extra for yard signs, lockbox, etc. This increases your overall cost of selling a house in Illinois and reduces your savings.
For Sale By Owner Websites Illinois: How Much Can You Save?
Thousands! That’s over $15,500 on a $283,600 home in the Prairie State, after the NAR settlement. The best For Sale By Owner sites in Illinois help you save equity.
With best FSBO sites like Houzeo, you can list your home on the MLS for just $199- that’s less than a deep-dish pizza feast in Chicago! You can save a whopping $15,399 and use it for a Lake Michigan getaway, season tickets for the Bears or Bulls, or the ultimate Chicago-style backyard grill.
| Service Provider | Fee in Illinois | Savings |
| Traditional Agent | 3% Listing Fee + 3% Buyer’s Agent Commission – $17,016 | $0 |
| Houzeo | Fixed Fee – $199 + $1,418 | $15,399 |
How to Choose the Best FSBO Website in Illinois?
To choose one from the top For Sale By Owner websites in Illinois, you need to consider these 4 factors.
- Do they list on MLS? You should opt for a platform that offers Flat Fee MLS service in Illinois for better exposure. It will lead to more buyers and a higher selling price.
- How is their user experience? Look for easy to navigate FSBO websites. They should have features like mobile app, virtual tours and offer-management.
- What are their prices? Evaluate the packages with the services they offer. Some provide free listing-only services. Whereas, others charge a flat fee or a percentage of the sale price for comprehensive assistance.
- Is their customer support good? Look for platforms that offer cutting edge customer service and provide guidance to the sellers. Choose a service with 5-star customer support like Houzeo.
How to Sell Your Home with Illinois’ #1 FSBO Website?
Here’s how to list your home on For Sale By Owner listing sites in Illinois:
- Find the Best FSBO Website With MLS Access: Choose a FSBO platform that offers MLS listing when selling a house by owner in Illinois. Your property will be visible on every real estate website from Chicago to Springfield.
- Create Your Account: Most FSBO sites with MLS access require an account, and Houzeo makes it easier. Manage your MLS listing, showings, and offers from your phone—whether you’re walking the Magnificent Mile, grabbing deep-dish in Naperville, or stuck in I-90 traffic.
- Choose a Listing Plan: Select a package that fits your needs to make your home-selling smooth and effortless. No need to overspend—choose the plan that gets your home sold fast in the Land of Lincoln.
- Enter Property Details & Add Photos: Time to show off your property. Add details like the number of beds, baths, etc. Hire a real estate photographer in Illinois to capture that charming porch on your Springfield home. Good photos = Faster sale!
- Sign the Agreement: Review and sign the listing agreement. Complete seller disclosure forms carefully. If it’s not a minor fix, disclose it—Illinois has strict laws, and you want to stay compliant.
6 Mistakes to Avoid With an Illinois FSBO Website
Here are some rookie mistakes that FSBO home sellers must avoid:
- Ignore the MLS: If you don’t list on the MLS, it is like planning a picnic in Peoria during a tornado watch. Use Houzeo if you’re wondering how to list your home on the Illinois MLS and gain visibility on 100+ sites like Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com.
- Price Your Home Inaccurately: You must know your property’s correct value given the current Illinois housing market. Overprice, and buyers will disappear quicker than free samples at a Chicago food festival. Underprice, and you’re leaving money on the table. Use a home worth calculator to get the right price.
- Market Ineffectively: To add poor quality photos is like eating a horshshoe sandwich in Springfield with a fork. Add professional photos, write a compelling description, and install a yard sign – then watch the offers roll in faster than commuters at Union Station.
- Overlook Seller Disclosures: Legal Forms and IL seller disclosures are mandatory. Miss something, and you’ll be sued faster than someone slipping on an icy Michigan Avenue sidewalk. Hire an Illinois real estate attorney to handle the legalities.
- Fail to Negotiate Smartly: If a buyer lowballs you like a deep-winter Cubs ticket price, don’t roll over. Stay firm on your price, closing dates, and repairs. Buyers will test you—stand strong like the traffic on the Kennedy Expressway.
- Choose the Wrong FSBO Service: Choosing a FSBO service that lacks technology and provides limited exposure will mean more days on the market for your home. Get MLS access, top-notch tech, and a 5-star support team with Houzeo. Why settle for less?
