The median home price in Illinois is $286,900. Homes typically spend 61 days on the market. Nevertheless, buyers still prefer homes in the Prairie State. This is because of the opportunities the state offers and the urban-suburban balance it strikes.
Selling a home in Illinois can be profitable if you sell during the best time. With some study and planning, selling property in Illinois can be as smooth as a train ride on the Metra!
7 Steps to Selling a House in Illinois
For a seamless sale, just follow this step-by-step guide on how to sell your house in Illinois:
Step 1: Prep Your Home for Sale
Illinois buyers love homes with a character. Where properties are known for greystones, tidy lawns, and small-town porches, first impressions matter. So, focus on curb appeal to make your home look more presentable.
Here are 3 tips to make homes for sale in Illinois stand out:
- Redo the Landscaping: Redesign your front and back yards to give them a neat, welcoming appearance. You can plant native shrubs and trees, like wild indigo and prairie dropseed.
- Repaint the House: A fresh coat of Illinois-inspired colors can make your house pop. Go for shades that scream Illinois, like brick red, forest green, or soft white.
- Highlight Outdoor Spaces: Style your front porch or patio with comfy seating and planters. Buyers in the Prairie State love outdoor spaces that are both functional and inviting.
Step 2: Stage Your Home and Click Photos
A well-staged home can shine like the Chicago skyline at sunset. It can attract buyers like tourists to Millennium Park. While traditional home staging is always an option, you can try virtual home staging to quicken the process.
Follow these tips to stage your home:
- Declutter and Clean the House: The cleaner your home looks, the better. You can clear out the garage, clean the basement, or power-wash the driveway.
- Showcase Practical Features: Homebuyers in Illinois value functionality and sustainability. So, highlight any insulated windows, smart thermostats, or storm-ready roofing.
- Focus on Spacious Living Spaces: Buyers prefer large windows, natural lighting and airy rooms. If your home offers these features, make sure to emphasize them in your staging.
- Include a Home Tour Video: Home listings with videos get 403% more views than those without it. So, make a video that shows your property in the best light!
Step 3: Decide How to List Your House
If you’re wondering how to list your house on the MLS in Illinois, you have multiple options! Here are 3 options most sellers go for:
- Full-Service Realtors – Up to 6%: These Realtors provide various services from list to close, but charge a hefty 5% to 6% real estate commission in Illinois.
- Flat Fee MLS – $249: If you want to sell your home yourself, you can list on MLS in Illinois for a flat fee. With Houzeo, your home can be on the MLS for just $249.
- Discount Real Estate Brokers: These brokers charge a lower fee than traditional agents, and offer services like contract reviews and negotiation assistance. Discount real estate brokers in Illinois charge between 0.5% and 2% as commission.
- Cash Buyers: They help you sell your home fast for cash. With cash buyers, you can get competitive all-cash offers and close on your terms.
➡️ Related: How to Sell a House by Owner in Illinois?
Step 4: Price Your Home Competitively
In Jan 2025, 15.6% of homes in Illinois sold with price drops. Inaccurate pricing forces properties to stay longer on the market. It’s important to understand market trends to know how to price your home.
Here’s how to avoid overpricing your property:
- Check Illinois Housing Market Trends: An overpriced home stays on the market for longer than Lake Michigan stays frozen in February. Reviewing the latest trends of Illinois home prices will help you set a competitive listing price that aligns with market conditions.
- Use Online Home Valuation Tools: Price your home high, and it spends more days on market. Price too low, and you’re at a loss. Use our free home value estimator to calculate your home’s Fair Market Value.
- Get a CMA: A Comparative Market Analysis helps you understand your home’s worth based on its features and location. With your listing agent’s guidance, you can then quote the right price.
Step 5: Handle Showings and Manage Offers
Once your home listing is active on your local MLS in Illinois, buyers and agents will visit it and make offers. Here’s what to do next:
- Actively Manage Showings: Promptly accept and confirm any showing requests. Remember to create a good impression. Don’t cancel scheduled showings at the last moment, communicate clearly about clashes, and be a pleasant host.
- Host an Open House: Even a top-tier listing can get lost like a small town along the old Route 66. Consult your agent and announce an open house to attract buyers.
- Review and Counter Offers: If you only get one offer, you might have to reduce your asking price. But if many buyers show interest in your home, you can either negotiate or choose the highest and best offer.
Step 6: Ensure Your Home Is Inspection-Ready
A home appraisal is the fair valuation of a house. Buyers conduct your home’s appraisal to ensure that they aren’t paying more than your home’s FMV.
Your home’s condition largely affects your home’s appraisal. Buyers also conduct a home inspection to examine the structural and functional aspects of your home. Here are some common home inspections, so you’re well-prepared:
| Type of Inspection | What Is Inspected? |
| Roof Inspection | This inspection helps to examine mold, water leakage, structural damage, etc. |
| HVAC Inspection | Heat, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are tested in this inspection. |
| Plumbing Inspection | It involves the inspection of pipelines, sewage lines, sinks, toilets, and more. |
| Electrical Inspection | It identifies faulty electrical wiring, overloaded circuits, or a lack of earthing. |
| Foundation Inspection | This inspection includes checks for cracks, mildew, damaged floorboards, etc. |
| Mold Inspection | It looks for the presence of mold in the house, identifies what type it is, and suggests ways to deal with it. |
Step 7: Prepare for Closing Day
Closing day can be emotional, but don’t overlook the formalities. Just follow these final steps and you’ll be good to go:
- Gather All Documents: Before you sell a house in Illinois, keep the paperwork for selling a house by owner ready. This includes the Affidavit of Title, Deed, Purchase Agreement, Tax Records, Settlement Statement, 1099-S Tax Form, etc.
- Prepare to Move Out: Pack up your belongings and get ready to bid your home goodbye.
- Transfer Ownership: You have to sign the escrow paperwork, title deed, and other documents to transfer ownership to the buyer. Then, the title company or escrow transfers their funds to you. The buyer’s name is then registered in the public record.
- Closing Costs: The cost of selling a house in Illinois includes taxes on selling a house, like Transfer Tax and Property Tax (each around 1-3%). Closing costs for sellers in Illinois also consist of HOA, real estate attorney, and home warranty fees.
How to Sell My Home in Illinois?
| City | Selling a House in Illinois Near You |
| Chicago | Sell My House in Chicago |
Should I Sell My Home in Illinois Now?
Yes! If you follow the right process and use the best strategies, you can successfully sell a house in Illinois. If you stage it well, choose to list for a flat fee, and price it right, you’re all set for a great home-selling experience.
Remember, selling your home in Illinois can feel like a deep-dish pizza fresh out of the oven—warm, satisfying, and worth the wait!
