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5 min read Apr 17, 2024

6 Best Real Estate Companies in Illinois (2024 Updates)

Home prices in Illinois have increased by 8.9% Y-O-Y and are now at a whopping $258,000. Simultaneously, mortgage rates have witnessed a sharp decline from 7.79% in Oct 2023 to 6.63% in Jan 2024. The market is booming for both sellers and buyers. If you want to sell your home or buy a new one, NOW is the time to do so!

Real estate companies can help you get access to the MLS quickly. Whether you use a Flat Fee MLS company or a discount brokerage, you will receive a quick and affordable real estate transaction.

Top 6 Real Estate Companies in Illinois:

    For Home Sellers
  1. Houzeo: Best Technology
  2. RE/MAX: Expert Assistance
  3. Dream Town Realty: Best for Local Market
    For Home Buyers
  1. Coldwell Banker Realty: Best for Investment Properties
  2. Baird & Warner: Best for Residential Properties
  3. eXp Realty: Best as Traditional Realtor

Best Real Estate Companies in Illinois for Home Sellers

Discover the best home-selling companies in the Prairie State. From lively Chicago to beautiful Peoria, we have found the 3 best companies for you.

1. Houzeo

BEST OVERALL

Houzeo.com

logo image
  • Houzeo is available nationwide
  • Available nationwide
  • 5 Stars 4.9/5.0 (4,523 reviews)

Houzeo is a 100% online home-selling platform. It is the best way to sell your home fast and save thousands in commission.

For Home Sellers: Houzeo offers 4 FSBO MLS listing packages for home sellers.

  • Bronze Package – $99: This package offers Houzeo listing only for 6 months with maximum photos. You pay a $49 refundable fee for a yard sign and receive your refund after sending a selfie with it.
  • Silver Package – $379: This includes everything that home sellers typically look for.
  • Gold Package – $379+: It is Houzeo’s signature MLS package and includes all the technology Houzeo is known for Houzeo Showings, Houzeo Offers, and DigiTransact.
  • Platinum – $349+: It includes the assistance of a licensed broker to help you with negotiations, disclosures, and closing.
  • Add-ons: Houzeo offers custom add-ons like ShowingTime, lock boxes, and yard signs. The Houzeo “For Sale” yard sign is America’s most popular For Sale By Owner Sign. It costs only $49, but you can get it for free if you send us a selfie!

 Mobile App: List your property, manage showings, and review & compare offers at your fingertips with Houzeo’s App!

👉 Our Take: We recommend the GOLD plan. You’ll have access to Houzeo tech, making managing showings and offer negotiations easy!

» Houzeo Reviews: Check out what FSBO sellers have to say about listing with Houzeo.com.

Houzeo is Florida’s #1 real estate company because of 8 reasons:

  • Near Nationwide Coverage: Houzeo covers 47 states + DC.
  • No Listing Agent Commission: With Houzeo, you only pay a small flat fee to get access to the MLS and all the Houzeo tech.
  • 100% Online: Easy listing, fast changes, online showings, and online offers.
  • Max Exposure: Listings get syndicated to Zillow, Realtor.com, Trulia, Redfin, and 100s of other real estate sites.
  • Fast Listing: Rush listing option gets you listed within a business day with Houzeo Concierge. This is best to sell your house fast.
  • Real Estate On the Go: Houzeo Mobile App mimics most functionality of the Houzeo web platform, including Offers and Showings.
  • 5-Star Customer Service: Superb support that minimizes Houzeo complaints.
  • No Hidden Fees: There are no Houzeo hidden fees.

» Is Houzeo Legit: Learn more about Houzeo.com’s locations and services.

There are no dealbreakers with Houzeo.

» Houzeo Reviews: Check out what FSBO sellers have to say about listing with Houzeo.com

Houzeo has a 4.9 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot.

Houzeo.com is Illinois’ #1 real estate company, as it provides an unbeatable combination of max savings, 5-star customer support, and cutting-edge technology.

Houzeo offers Illinois FSBO home sellers affordable listing packages. Your home will be listed within 48 hours. Even if you’re new to selling FSBO, Houzeo’s offer management and showings tool will help you ace your real estate journey like a pro.

2. RE/MAX

Good Exposure

RE/MAX

RE/MAX
  • 3% - 6% Commission
  • 1.5 Star 1.1/5 (300+ reviews)

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. The company’s agents will guide you throughout the entire selling process. However, the huge commission can be heavy on your pocket.

Key features of RE/MAX are:

  • Global Reach: RE/MAX has 100,000 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 is a drawback of RE/MAX:

  • Poor Customer Reviews: RE/MAX has many customer complaints. Previous customers have also said that their home-selling process got delayed.

RE/MAX has a poor rating of  1.1 out of 5 stars from 300+ users on Consumer Affairs.

RE/MAX, LLC is a part of RE/MAX Holdings, which is one of the world’s largest real estate franchisors. The company operates in over 100 countries and has more than 100,000 agents worldwide.

RE/MAX provides expert assistance to the sellers. However, previous customers have complained about lack of communication from its agents.

3. Dream Town Realty

🎯 LOCAL FOCUS

Dream Town Real Estate

Dream Town Realty Logo
  • 3% - 6% Commission
  • 4.5stars 4.4/5 (120+ reviews)

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. They have 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

Explore the top home-buying companies in Illinois. From Naperville to Peoria, you can discover affordable homes.

1. Coldwell Banker Realty

MOST SUCCESSFUL INVESTORS

Coldwell Banker

NJ Realtors Ellen Gonik
  • Based in New Jersey
  • Best Companies that Buy Houses for Cash in Raleigh, NC 4.9/5 (200+ reviews)

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 has been recognized as a real estate leader. However, it might prioritize transaction volume over personalized attention, which could be less ideal for first-time buyers or those needing more guidance.

Key features of Coldwell Banker:

  • 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: 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:

  • Inconsistent Agent Quality: Several clients of Coldwell Banker have complained of a lack of trust in the agents they had dealt with.
  • Lapses in Transactions: Customer complaints include delays in transactions, laid-back attitude, misrepresentations, and the unresponsiveness of agents.

Coldwell Banker is rated 4.9 out of 5 stars from 200+ reviews on Trustpilot

It is the largest real estate company in the metro-east region of Illinois. With access to the MLS and other tools, the agents narrow down the best home for you as per your wants, needs, and budget.

However, you must consider the customer reviews before engaging them.

2. Baird & Warner

Best for residential real estate

Baird and Warner Real Estate, Inc.

logo image
  • #16 largest independent brokerage in the US
  • 2stars2.2/5

    (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 over 2,300 real estate brokers associated with it and also about 29 sales offices.

From assistance in pre-approval to negotiations, Baird & Warner 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

eXp Realty

exp_realty_200x90
  • Based in Washington
  • Technology Driven
  • 2.7/5 (10+ reviews)

eXp Realty is one of the top US real estate companies that provide a variety of services to buyers. To help their clients, agents use cutting-edge technology from the cloud-based platform and database system.

  • Traditional Agent: eXp Realty has agents with experience and expertise in real estate. They can help you get the best value for your property and sell it faster. Typically, real estate commission is 5 -6% of the home’s sale price

👉 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.

Key features for eXp Realty are mentioned below:

  • 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: Their 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 red flags we found about eXp Realty:

  • Agent Experience: Agent-to-agent experience differs and few customers had issues with their agents.
  • Mortgage: Few customers also had issues with lenders and mortgage companies they have associations with

 

eXp Realty has a rating of 2.7 out of 5 on Google Reviews.

eXp Realty is headquartered in Washington. It has local agents with expertise and they will help you in the real estate transaction. If you are a first-time home buyer, you can choose eXp Realty to guide you throughout the real estate transaction.

Agent-to-agent experience might differ. Read agent reviews online and try to get a recommendation from a reliable source.

How to Choose the Best Real Estate Company in Illinois?

You can choose the best real estate company in Illinois based on these factors:

  • Strong Technology: A company’s website should have robust technology that can make selling or buying a house faster and more efficient. Also, look for features like virtual tours, high-quality photos, and user-friendly interfaces.
  • Responsive Customer Service: Having good customer service can help you with smooth real estate transactions. Find a company that offers prompt and also have 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.

Final Word

Real estate companies help you ace your home selling or buying journey. However, before you choose a real estate company in Illinois, we suggest you conduct thorough research.

The basic requirements for a good real estate company are experienced and dedicated agents, maximum savings, tech-savvy, and quick transactions. With Houzeo, you get all these factors on one single platform.

Eager to Know How Houzeo Works?

We’ve got you covered. Check out the following video to understand how Houzeo works and why it is one of the best For Sale By Owner websites in the U.S.

How to List on MLS With Houzeo?

5 Easy Steps to List on MLS with Houzeo as FSBO

Start Your MLS Listing NOW!

» 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 is the best real estate company in Illinois?

The best company in Illinois is Houzeo. It offers sellers maximum savings, advanced technology, 5-star customer support, 100% online experience, and listing exposure.

» 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 home buyers various services and tools such as virtual showings, mortgage calculators, and more.

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.

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