If you’re planning to list your Illinois property on the market, it’s essential to position yourself for success — whether that means achieving the highest sale price or securing a quick transaction. While getting your home ready and connecting with a top local real estate agent are important steps, picking the right time to list can also significantly enhance your outcome. To help you pinpoint the optimal moment to sell your house in Illinois, we consulted Michael Berg, a highly-rated agent and single-family homes expert with over 21 years of real estate experience. Berg also provides professional advice and insights to help you attract committed buyers promptly. According to Berg, the Illinois housing market remains firmly tilted toward sellers, driven by historically low inventory and steady demand. On average, homes in Illinois sell in about 24 days from the date they’re listed. This timeframe is known in real estate as days on market (DOM) — the period between listing and signing a contract. For context, the national average DOM currently stands at 58 days. The median sale price for Illinois homes is approximately $329,000, an increase of 3.46% from the same time last year. “We’re still at an all-time low for inventory, and that’s really what’s been driving the market. It’s a tough time to be a first-time homebuyer, but it’s a great time to be a seller,” Berg says. “Things picked up again pretty quickly, just like they have over the last few years. It’s basically been a seller’s market since COVID.” What does this data indicate for sellers? With homes selling much faster than the national average and prices continuing to rise, selling conditions remain favorable. Still, competitive pricing and strong presentation are key to attracting buyers and maximizing offers in today’s tight market. Despite elevated interest rates and limited inventory impacting the market, Illinois generally experiences predictable seasonal patterns with sales picking up during late spring and summer. This implies that the period from April through July typically offers the optimal opportunity to sell at the highest value. For those prioritizing a quicker sale, the ideal window to list your home in Illinois begins in June. Given it generally takes 24 days on average to find a buyer and about 41 days for a buyer’s mortgage to close, listing your property two to three months ahead of the peak season may be wise. “It’s definitely seasonal — Chicago always follows the weather for the most part. Traditionally, people would say the market picks up after the Super Bowl, like in early spring. But in the last few years, we’ve actually seen things start moving as early as January, at least on the buyer side,” Berg says. Let’s examine sales data pertaining to some of Illinois’ largest markets to identify the prime times to sell your residence — whether your goal is maximum profit or a speedy sale. “The weather definitely plays a part. If we get an early, warm spring, the market tends to pick up quicker. But if we have ice storms through April, things slow down. I’ve also noticed that on certain holidays — like the Easter or Fourth of July weekends — the number of showings usually drops,” Berg notes. For insights on home-selling trends in other areas, visit our Best Time to Sell Calculator. Use this data as a foundation to connect with a top-performing real estate agent in Illinois who can provide tailored advice on the best month to sell your home based on your neighborhood, unique situation, and current market conditions.Illinois housing trends
When is the best time to sell a house in Illinois?
Best times to sell a house in Chicago
Selling objective List month Close month Benefit Best time for higher price March June You could sell your house for 5.35% more than the yearly average. Best time to sell fast March June You could sell your house 7 days sooner than if listed in other months. Best times to sell a house in Naperville
Selling objective List month Close month Benefit Best time for higher price April July You could sell your house for 4.59% more than the yearly average. Best time to sell fast May August You could sell your house 7 days sooner than if listed in other months. Best times to sell a house in Joliet
Selling objective List month Close month Benefit Best time for higher price March June You could sell your house for 2.96% more than the yearly average. Best time to sell fast April July You could sell your house 7 days sooner than if listed in other months. Best times to sell a house in Rockford
Selling objective List month Close month Benefit Best time for higher price April July You could sell your house for 11% more than the yearly average. Best time to sell fast April July You could sell your house 8 days sooner than if listed in other months. Best times to sell a house in Elgin
Selling objective List month Close month Benefit Best time for higher price September December You could sell your house for 4.27% more than the yearly average. Best time to sell fast March June You could sell your house 8 days sooner than if listed in other months. Best times to sell a house in Peoria
Selling objective List month Close month Benefit Best time for higher price March June You could sell your house for 16.83% more than the yearly average. Best time to sell fast April July You could sell your house 7 days sooner than if listed in other months. Best times to sell a house in Champaign
Selling objective List month Close month Benefit Best time for higher price April July You could sell your house for 4.95% more than the yearly average. Best time to sell fast June September You could sell your house 14 days sooner than if listed in other months.
