How to Sell a House By Owner in Illinois (2023 Updates)

Illinois home prices surged 13.0% between 2021 and 2022. Record home prices mean you’ll pay record commissions. Selling a house in Illinois by owner saves you thousands in agent commissions.

77% of FSBO homes are selling in less than 2 weeks. Selling a house FSBO in Illinois is more popular and high-tech than ever.

Can You Sell Your Own Home in Illinois?

Yes! You need to do just 4 things to successfully sell most homes by owner:

• List on Your Local MLS: Homes listed on the MLS sell faster and for 17% more. The biggest challenge FSBO sellers in Illinois face is not getting access to their local MLS. There are over 600 MLS’ in the U.S. Houzeo.com will automatically assign you the right MLS for your property.
• Price Your Home Competitively: Be sure to look at recent sales in your neighborhood.
• Offer a Competitive Buyer Agent Commission: Most homes sell through a buyer agent, so it’s key to offer a competitive commission to them.
• Take Professional Photos: You’re competing for clicks online. More online clicks = more foot traffic. There’s no single investment as good as pro photos that convert clicks!

» For Sale By Owner Tips: See our 7 FSBO tips to sell your home fast!

Should I Sell My House in Illinois?

Yes, you should sell your home by owner in Illinois. 36% of Millennials, 26% of Gen Xers, 22% of Boomers, and 19% of Silent Gen are selling their homes by owner.

Real estate commissions in the US surpassed $100 billion in 2021. By selling FSBO, you will save thousands in commissions. You will also retain full control of your transaction. Finally, selling FSBO through a high-tech platform like Houzeo.com is faster than selling with a traditional agent.

👍 Key Benefits of Selling House For Sale By Owner (FSBO) in Illinois

• Savings on Commission: Illinois home sellers spend around $16,000 on real estate commissions (based on the median home values in Illinois). Selling your own house in Illinois can help you save around $8,000 on the listing agent commission.
• Speed to Market: You can set out to sell your house whenever you are ready. You need not hunt for a real estate agent to begin the selling process. Selling your house without an estate agent is easier than you think. FSBO websites like Houzeo can get you listed within 24-48 hours, or faster!
• Control Over Transaction: You interact directly with buyers or buyer agents. This reduces the intermediaries involved in the transaction.

👎 Key Risks of Selling House For Sale By Owner (FSBO) in Illinois

• No Help When You Need: If you need help with paperwork, inspections, negotiations, or for sale by owner closing, you’re on your own as a For Sale By Owner.
• No MLS Exposure: MLS is the most important tool an agent has. Selling FSBO means limited exposure, so there will be less competition for your property. That will likely reduce the selling price. Homes on the MLS sold for 17% more than homes, not on the MLS.

How to Sell a House by Owner (Without A Realtor) in Illinois?

When selling an Illinois home on your own, you are competing with agent-assisted sales. The following steps will help you manage your sale process professionally and attract more buyers in Illinois’s hot seller market.

Step 1: Determine the Best Time to Sell a House in Illinois

The home-buying season in Illinois starts during late spring and runs throughout the summer. The best months to sell your homes in Illinois are May and June. You get up to $26,000 more than the average sale price by selling your home in June.

21% of the homes are listed on a Thursday as they sell quickly and are more likely to sell above the list price. So the best time of year to sell a home without a realtor in Illinois is May or June on a Thursday.

Is it a Good Time to Sell House in Illinois Now?

The best time to sell your house is whenever you are ready. Never try to time the market – in the long term, that’s a difficult strategy.

Mortgage rates are on the rise and Illinois home prices are expected to cool down in 2022 & 2023. Real estate commissions are declining. So if you’re ready to sell, list now.

» Best Time of Year to Sell a House in Illinois: Read our in-depth analysis

💲 List with Houzeo.com and Save Thousands




Lara Shane sold her condo with Houzeo and saved $24,000 in real estate commissions.




» List Now: Start your FREE listing on Houzeo.com!

Step 2: Price Your Home Competitively

Listing price is the single most important factor that will determine how quickly a home sells. Whether you’re selling a home by owner or not, the listing price is crucial for attracting a wide pool of buyers.

REMEMBER! The purpose of the LIST PRICE is to DRIVE TRAFFIC to your listing. It’s not your SALE PRICE!!!

What happens if you under-price or over-price your listing?

If you price it too low	You will get multiple offers. You’ll likely call for “Highest & Best Offer” or counter the best offers. And you will sell at market price.
If you price it too high	You will get little interest. That’ll make you drop the price, and you will sell at the market price.

Real estate brokers in IL typically create a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to determine what’s an ideal listing price for a property. With Zillow and Redfin, you can easily create your own CMA and understand how selling a home in Illinois works.

» How to Price Your Home for Sale: Learn to Price Your Home Competitively with Houzeo

Step 3: Prep Your Illinois Home for Sale

Here are a few tips to prep your Illinois house for sale:

• Repaint Neutral: Neutral colors appeal to a wider range of buyers.
• Clean: Scrub, shampoo, wash, and deep clean every nook of your house.
• Improve Curb Appeal: Clear landscape or plant fresh flowers. First impressions are everything!
• Declutter & Depersonalize: You want the buyers to imagine their own life in your house, not yours.
• Showcase Natural Light: Natural light helps. Ensure you have opened curtains and blinds. Make sure every room has ample light, and add bulbs if necessary.
• Make Repairs: If there’s anything glaringly wrong, take care of it early. For instance, a squeaky doorknob will not be overlooked by potential buyers. It is best to get such defects fixed.
• Stage: Hire professional home staging companies in Illinois or organize your furniture to make rooms look neat and spacious.

» Staging Homes Near Me: Learn how to stage your property such that it sells!

Making your home look its best self works wonders when selling real estate in Illinois by owner. Complement every room in a way that narrates a story, don’t let furniture consume all the space, and create a visually appealing first look.

🤔 How to Sell a Home As Is by Owner in Illinois?




You can sell your Illinois home “as is” by owner with Houzeo.com. With Houzeo you can attract offers as high as 100% of the home value.




» List Now: Start your FREE listing on Houzeo.com!

Step 4: Create an Appealing Property Description

Here are a few best practices to make an appealing property description:

• Craft a Catchy Headline: You only have a few seconds to grab the readers’ attention. So, keep your headline short and use descriptive words.
• Make an Opening Statement: Highlight the features of your property that could not fit in the headline. For instance, parking in city listings, mountain or lake views, etc.
• Choose Popular Adjectives: Listings that contain words like captivating, luxurious, impeccable, stainless, etc. are sold more than the ones that do not include them.
• Talk About Features: Mention name-brand appliances, type of flooring (cherry, walnut, etc.), energy-efficient devices like solar panels, wi-fi-enabled smart devices, etc.
• Mention Nearby Amenities: Talk about parks, schools, shopping places, and recreational facilities located nearby.

Step 5: Fill out the Illinois Seller Disclosure

Yes, it is mandatory to fill out a seller’s disclosure in Illinois. Home sellers need to take care of the following documents mentioned below:

• Illinois Property Disclosure Statement: It is a kind of standard checklist form through which sellers can disclose their property’s condition. This typically includes material defects, features, nature of occupancy, space to provide additional information, etc.
• Lead-Based Paint Hazard: As per the legal binding, for homes built before 1978, the seller should declare any lead-based paint hazards in the house.
• Flood Zone Statement: A buyer’s lender may require the concerned property’s flood risk report before providing the loan. This could be important in mortgages that are backed by the federal government.
• Illinois Radon Disclosure: The disclosure makes the seller disclose any presence of radon inside the house and pamphlets are provided to the buyers to appraise any dangers of radon.

» Seller Disclosures Illinois: Know Your Disclosure Obligations

🎯 Houzeo Makes FSBO Paperwork Easy




With varying federal, state, and MLS requirements, paperwork can be daunting. Houzeo automatically assigns you the right paperwork to get your property listed. You can get a Licensed Broker to assist you with for sale by owner closing, if that’s all you need.




» List Now: Start your FREE listing on Houzeo.com!

Step 6: Market Your Illinois Home For Sale by Owner

95% of home buyers search and review homes online. Getting maximum online exposure should be the #1 priority when selling their house, combined with other marketing tactics.

Here are six powerful ways to market your Illinois house for sale by owner:

#	Marketing Tactic	Description
1.	List Your Illinois House For Sale by Owner	Homes listed on the MLS sell faster and for 17% more. That doesn’t mean you need to hire a listing agent or pay that extra commission. Craft appealing listing descriptions to entice potential buyers. Use free websites to list for sale by owner and offer a competitive buyer agent commission. That’ll have you in good stead to get top-dollar for your property. ✍️ Pro Tip: Research the Best For Sale by Owner Websites Before Picking One.
2.	Get a Yard Sign	Do not get a “FOR SALE BY OWNER” yard sign. FSBO yard signs have a negative association. Additionally, it’ll limit your options because some MLS’ will not allow them. Get a “FOR SALE” yard sign, preferably with your phone number. Houzeo custom yard sign is $49 only, and it comes FREE with a selfie! ✍️ Pro Tip: If you secure a buyer from a yard sign, chances are you’ll save on the buyer agent commission as well.
3.	Hire a Professional Photographer	Hire a professional real estate photographer to create a portfolio of your house. Professional photos can greatly impact the selling process by attracting more buyers. ✍️ Pro Tip: A real estate photographer can collate a portfolio that otherwise may not be possible. » Illinois Real Estate Photographers: Discover the best photographers in your area
4.	Share Your Listing on Social Media	Share your Houzeo listing on social media sites. It includes your contact info. If you share Zillow or Redfin listings, all the leads your listing generates will be sold to paying buyer agents who’ll demand a competitive buyer agent commission. Houzeo doesn’t sell your information or leads. All buyer leads see your contact info, so you might save the buyer agent commission. ✍️ Pro Tip: If you secure a buyer from social sharing, chances are you’ll save on the buyer agent commission as well.
5.	Print Sales Flyers/Brochures	Keep a flyer ready to hand out. Include property specifics: property description, sale price, property address, and your contact details. ✍️ Pro Tip: Your MLS listing is the best flyer. It’s detailed, and most agents & buyers are familiar with the format.
6.	List on Craigslist	Craigslist is still the biggest classified ad platform. And it’s still effective today. Here’s how to sell a house on Craigslist.

» Creative Ways to Market a House: Discover 18 Unique Ways of Marketing Your Illinois Home

Step 7: Manage Showings

Once your property is ready for showings, it is critical to manage them effectively. You want to know who has seen your property or expressed interest in seeing it. And you also want to track when a potential buyer last saw it.

Online showing scheduling tools provide buyers and buyer agents with a frictionless way to request and schedule showings. Cutting-edge showing technologies, like Houzeo Showings, also feature ways for buyers and buyer agents to provide feedback.

Houzeo Showings: How It Works

#	Feature	Description
1.	Set Showing Calendar	Buyers and buyer agents should only be shown times when the property is available for showing. This saves the time spent in correspondence with all parties.
2.	Request & Reschedule Showings	It’s critical that buyers and buyer agents can request showings at available times. Things do change sometimes, so they should be able to reschedule and cancel showing requests as well.
3.	Provide Feedback	Feedback from buyers and buyer agents is critical for home sellers. It allows them to assess if their property is priced too high, the backyard needs fencing, or the door lock was too difficult to open. If the property is on a major street, there’s nothing the home seller can do about it. But where the feedback is actionable, small remedies can improve showings and attract top dollar for your property.

🗓️ Houzeo Showings: See how the most powerful showing app works on mobile and the web.

Step 8: Review, Compare and Negotiate Offers for the Sale of a House in IL

Though you are selling your home without a realtor in Illinois, the basics of what to do when you get offers remain the same. This includes accepting, declining, or ignoring the offers (not recommended).

Review the offers on all their merits, and never ignore an offer. Even if it’s a lowball offer, you should counter with what you would accept. Where you are sure you don’t want to counter or accept, just politely decline.

Countering an offer, or calling for the highest & best offers are 2 advanced tactics in every real estate agent’s arsenal. When selling your home by owner in Illinois, you need to learn these 2 tactics.

Most companies will give you complex forms to counter an offer, or to request the highest & best. Houzeo has digitized these features. You can counter or ask for the highest & best offers with just a few clicks!

Houzeo Offers: How to Counter or Request Highest & Best

#	Advanced Tactic	When to Use	How to Use
1.	Counter an Offer	Single or Multiple Offer Situation	Your best offer is not just the highest one. It’ll be competitive across several parameters: deposit, financing, inspection contingency, closing timeline, etc. When countering an offer, you can request any of these parameters to be updated per your preferences. ▶️ Learn more: How to counter an offer on Houzeo.com
2.	Request Highest & Best Offers	Multiple Offer Situation	If you have multiple offers, and a timeline by which you’d like to pick an offer, you can call for Highest & Best offer from all interested parties. ▶️ Learn more: How to request Highest & Best Offer on Houzeo.com

Step 9: Handle Closing in Illinois

In Illinois, title companies & lenders handle the closing process and take care of the legalities involved. You still have several obligations. These include:

1. Title, Inspection, and Appraisal

Title, appraisals, and inspections are crucial parts of selling a house by owner in Illinois. They all require agents/companies that can verify the data and aid in the selling process.

• Title: A clear title and a meticulous transfer are key to a real estate transaction. Title insurance protects you if there is any problem related to the prior ownership of the property. It makes you whole in case of a legal dispute related to the title.
• Inspection: A home inspector inspects the property before the home-buying process is completed. They check for any defects/repairs in the property and raise concerns accordingly. This ensures that the buyers don’t have to shell out money if there are defects in the property that the seller did not highlight.
• Appraisal: An appraiser does market research and evaluates the price of a specific property. The appraisal manager ensures that a correct price is offered by the seller and as per the market value. Read our blog to know the cost of an appraisal in Illinois.

CMA vs. Appraisal: Know the Difference

Here is a table depicting the difference between Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) and Appraisal:

2. Paying all the Illinois Seller Closing Costs

The real estate transaction is not only about real estate agent commission and sale price, but also includes other costs. The following are included in the average closing cost in Illinois:

• Agent Commission: Even if you are selling your property in Illinois by owner, there are chances that you will interact with represented buyers. Buyer agent commission in Illinois is around 2.5% to 3%.
• Title Insurance: It helps sellers/buyers from any legalities if there is a flaw in the ownership of the property. The insurance fee can be paid by either seller or buyer based on the negotiations.
• Transfer Tax: It is charged based upon the property’s sale price at the rate of $0.50 for the first $1,00.
• Attorney Fee: You need an attorney to prepare the documents. Illinois real estate attorney fees could range from $133 and $388 per hour.
• Capital Gains Tax: You are required to pay a tax on the capital gain of the property. A capital gain is a difference between the amount for which a property was bought and the amount for which the property is sold.
• Home Inspection Fee: The fee costs around $100. Though paying for an Illinois property inspection is not necessary but it is very common. Bad inspection results may lead to extra charges for the seller. Read our blog to know the exact cost of home inspection in Illinois.

» Typical Closing Costs for Seller in Illinois: Know the Exact Estimates

How to Draft Your Illinois For Sale By Owner Contract?

You can draft your own Illinois Real Estate Contract For Sale By Owner, but we do not recommend it. It is best to hire a real estate attorney for drafting the contract. A real estate attorney would provide you with professional guidance when needed. They will also ensure the contract stands legally binding for both parties.

What is a For Sale By Owner Contract?

For Sale By Owner (FSBO) contract is a legally binding document used when selling a property by owner. A typical Illinois FSBO contract contains the name of the buyer and the seller, contract date, property description, terms of payment, contingencies, etc.

» For Sale by Owner Illinois Contract: Who makes it, is it legally binding, and what does it contain?

What Illinois Real Estate Documents do I Need?

Here are some key documents required for selling real estate in Illinois:

• The HUD-1 or Closing Disclosure: When homes are purchased with a mortgage, you’ll summarize the detailed costs in the Closing Disclosure. If your sale is all cash, you may get the HUD-1, which is less common. These documents detail the amounts you’re charged for, your loan payoffs if any, and the net proceeds you will take to the bank.
• The Deed: It enables the legal transfer of title from the seller to the buyer. Read this document carefully, verifying all details including the legal description of the property, the deed book, the deed book page, and the Property Identification Number (PIN), if any.
• Illinois Real Estate Purchase Agreement: It is a standard form of real estate contract that details the terms of transactions. It contains aspects such as sale price, financing contingencies, property description, etc.
• Bill of Sale: It contains information about the sellers and the buyer with the selling price.
• Statement of Closing Costs: This statement summarizes all the expenses involved in the transaction.
• Certificate of Title: It allows you to state that you have the right to sell the property.

There are also additional documents required in selling real estate in Illinois. Some of the legal documents or paperwork for selling a house without realtors in Illinois or even otherwise are stated below:

• Loan Payoff: You need to provide proper documentation if the disbursement of the loan amount has been completed. Else, you need to provide how much you still owe.
• HOA Forms: If the house is part of an HOA, the seller needs to give the buyer all the documentation on restrictions, fees, financials, and more.
• Survey Papers: The documentation defines the location and the dimensions of the property. This is important while selling your own home in Illinois.
• Repairing Proof: While selling real estate, if the seller has made repairs to the property before the sale, they need to furnish the relevant documentation.
• Power of Attorney: If you are selling an inherited property in Illinois, then the seller needs to furnish the details of the history and how the property was passed onto him/her.
• Home Inspection Report: This contains all the details about the inspection of the property.
• Home Warranty Papers: These contain all the coverage of the property, period, and cost of insurance.
• Correction Agreement: A correction agreement is a document that allows buyers and sellers the scope to correct mistakes in some specific documents like a sale deed, a title deed, etc.
• Affidavits: A seller will need to provide a few affidavits like name affidavit, non-foreign, etc. This may also include affidavits like “Affidavit of Title” which discloses that you are the rightful owner of the property and that there are no liens on the property.

» Paperwork for Selling a House Without a Realtor: Get Your Answers Here

Ask Questions

If this is your first time selling a property or learning how to sell your own home in Illinois, schedule an appointment with the closing agent before the date of the closing. Before that appointment, do your research and ask clarifying questions about anything you have doubts about. Readiness on how to sell a house by owner makes a huge difference.

Bring TWO Forms of Official ID

There will likely be a licensed notary involved who’ll require that you swear you are who you say you are. Take a valid driver’s license or passport for ID. Carry a secondary ID as well, just in case.

Closing documents are legally binding agreements. Ensure you keep the paperwork error-free or you can derail your sale and be forced to re-list your house.

Sell Your House Fast in Illinois

Opt for the following ways to sell your home fast in Illinois:

• Selling a Home As Is in Illinois: Selling a house as is means the buyer accepts the property in its existing condition. Read further to know how selling “as is” works in Illinois.
• Illinois Cash Home Buyers: Sell your distressed properties with Companies that Buy Houses for Cash. Discover the top companies that purchased houses for cash in Illinois.

» Sell My House Fast Illinois: Discover Best Ways to Sell Your House Quickly

FSBO Alternatives You Might Consider

If saving money is the main goal you should consider the following:

• Selling FSBO with Houzeo: Houzeo provides the best combination of fast listing, max savings, maximum exposure, cutting-edge tech, and 5-star customer service.
• Illinois Flat Fee Listing: Flat Fee MLS companies get you on the MLS for a small flat fee saving you thousands in commissions. Check out our rankings for the best Illinois Flat Fee MLS companies.
• Discount Real Estate Brokers Illinois: If you want to save on commission but still need constant guidance and support, go for a discount broker. We have ranked the top discount brokers in Illinois.

Bottom line: Selling Your Home Without a Realtor in Illinois is Easy

The average real estate agent commission in Illinois is around $16,000. You can save thousands in commissions by selling your home by owner in Illinois with a sophisticated For Sale By Owner platform like Houzeo.

Best Way to Sell Your Home For Sale by Owner in Illinois

» NEED MORE CLARITY? Watch exclusive Houzeo reviews and learn why the platform is the best in America’s competitive housing market.

Resources for Selling Your Illinois Home

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Also Read

• Selling My Home Fast for Cash: Check out ways to sell your house fast for cash.
• Real Estate Drone Photography Illinois: Find ways to create the best listing photos for your Illinois house.
• Closing Cost Calculator Illinois Seller: Calculate seller closing costs using Houzeo’s advanced Closing Cost Calculator.
• How is Title Insurance Calculated in IL: Find out the cost of title insurance in IL.

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