Seller FAQs

What You Need to Know


Now that you’ve decided to put your home on the market, it’s only natural to have a few questions. You might be wondering about how to increase the value of your home, or how to avoid common missteps in your home search. The real estate market is always changing. Whether you've sold several homes in your life, or it's your first time putting your house on the market, we have answers for you.

Why should I use a Mainstreet REALTOR® to sell my home?


A Mainstreet REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional belonging to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). NAR is a real estate trade association that requires all of its members to follow a 17-article Code of Ethics. This means that your REALTOR® is required to have your best interests in mind.


Your REALTOR® will help you set the right price for your home, reach potential buyers and help you negotiate the sale. Your REALTOR® will also help with staging your home and adding curb appeal. They will make sure that you feel supported every step of the way and ensure you receive the best deal.

Couple reviewing documents with a REALTOR

When is the best time of year to sell?


This varies depending on the housing market. In general, house hunting typically picks up in the warmer months of the year, making it a great time for sellers to list their homes. In the colder months, it’s typically a buyer’s market. This can vary by city and even neighborhood, and over the past few years demand remained high even in the winters. Ask your Mainstreet REALTOR® what they recommend based on local conditions.

When should I put my home on the market if I'm looking to buy a new home?


Trying to buy and sell a home at the same time can be a careful balancing act. There are different arguments to be made about whether you should search for a new home before selling your home or sell your home first. The truth is, it depends on your circumstance and whether it's a buyer or seller's market. In a buyer's market, there will be more houses on the market than there are buyers. A seller's market is the opposite. Your Mainstreet REALTOR® can advise you on what makes sense in your area at any given time.


If you need to hold onto your home a little bit longer after selling, you can enter a rent-back agreement with your buyer. This gives you some wiggle room to move into your new house later and pay rent to the owner of your current home.

What should I expect when I put my house on the market?


Once your home has been listed, the best piece of advice is to have realistic expectations. Keep an open line of communication with your Mainstreet REALTOR® and be patient. Your REALTOR® will handle the marketing for your home and guide you through the process of showing your home. They will also help you with the negotiation process and make sure your home closing goes as smoothly as possible.

Why should I stage my home?


Home staging, or arranging the home to look its best, can help potential buyers envision themselves in your home and could decrease the time your home is on the market.


While there are tweaks you can make around your home yourself with advice from your Mainstreet REALTOR®, work with a professional home stager to get the best results. Your REALTOR® can refer you to a home staging expert who can use their interior design skills to style your home.


You may have heard that unstaged homes could still receive multiple offers during the seller’s market of the last few years. But the market has shifted, and staging your home is vital if you want to receive the best offer possible.

How can I add curb appeal to my home?


When you're selling a home, you want potential buyers to fall in love from the moment they see your house from the street. If your home is a little older, consider adding a fresh coat of paint or freshening up how your street number is displayed. Make sure your driveway and any front steps or a front path are in good repair. It also helps to add some greenery outside your home. If you have a garden, make sure your plants look good in the season when buyers will be viewing your home.

Are there any safety tips I should keep in mind when putting my home on the market?


Opening your home up to strangers naturally raises some safety concerns, especially for new homesellers. While your Mainstreet REALTOR® will help protect you from these risks, we recommend:


  • Never give home tours by yourself. A REALTOR® should always be present.
  • Hide valuables and all electronics prior to any home visits or open houses.
  • Remove mail, bills, and personal checks from places where they can be seen by those touring your home.
  • Take stock of the state of your home after an open house to make sure everything is locked and in place.

What are some common home selling mistakes I should be aware of?


Sellers who don't work with REALTORS® open themselves up to a few common mistakes when putting their home on the market. One mistake homeowners make is choosing to host an open house by themselves. Not only is inviting strangers into your home alone a major safety concern, it is very possible those touring your home may not be legitimate buyers. Working with a Mainstreet REALTOR® allows you to screen potential candidates before they enter your home, giving you the best chance of selling quickly.


Another mistake many sellers make occurs during the pricing, negotiation, and closing stage. Some sellers price their home without consulting anyone first. This means you could be pricing yourself too low and losing money on the deal. A REALTOR® works with you on pricing, marketing, and negotiating with the buyer to save you money and give you peace of mind.

What do I need to know about changes to home buying as a result of the recent NAR settlement?


There is a great deal of misinformation about the NAR settlement and its impact on local real estate consumers, so please proceed with caution when turning to the media or real estate influencers for updates. Instead, we recommend visiting this FAQ page for more information.

Chicagoland Housing Market Holds Steady Amid Economic Uncertainty

By Amy Robey • November 18, 2025
Chicagoland home sales remained relatively steady in October 2025, even as consumers across the country experienced increased economic uncertainty. Detached home sales increased 0.4% in October 2025 as compared to the same month last year. At the same time, detached homes under contract increased 3%, indicating a possible lift in sales activity in the months ahead. This stability in the housing market may come as a surprise given 2025’s economic volatility, and supporting data from Pew Research Center showing 3 in 10 U.S. adults say they expect the financial situation for themselves and their families to be worse a year from now. The local housing market’s stability indicates, however, that many Chicagoland consumers see homeownership as a smart financial decision regardless of the state of the economy. “The economy will always have ups and downs but savvy Chicagoland consumers realize that owning a home and building equity is always a smart financial decision, regardless of the economic climate,” said Kinga Korpacz, president of Mainstreet REALTORS®. “The sooner you can get started the better, and that means not waiting for more economic stability to buy.” The 3% increase in homes under contract in Chicagoland in October is another indicator of continued confidence among Chicagoland homebuyers but it remains to be seen whether that increase will translate to a lift in closed sales. “Certainly, anecdotally, we’re hearing about buyers who are making offers and getting cold feet given the state of the economy,” said John Gormley, CEO of Mainstreet REALTORS®. “But when people have life or family situations that mean they need to move, it outweighs the uncertainty in the economy and many buyers are able to look past it and remember that a home is always a smart investment. In Chicagoland, buyers are becoming a bit immune to the news cycle and looking inward to make the right financial decisions for themselves and their families.” While detached home sales and homes under contract increased in October 2025, average time on the market increased 10.5% as compared to October 2024. “Slower market times indicate buyers are taking their time and making more deliberate decisions versus rushing to buy,” said Korpacz. “This is not necessarily a bad thing, especially in a market with as much hyperlocal variability as Chicagoland. It means buyers can take their time to ask for expert advice from a Mainstreet REALTOR® about what is going on in the specific community where they want to buy and make a smart long-term decision.” Buyers had more flexibility to move at their own pace in October 2025 than earlier this year as the average months’ supply for homes in the Chicagoland primary metro statistical area (PMSA) increased to 2.1 months, up from 1.7 months in January 2025. “In a market like this one, it’s critical to take the time to do your due diligence with a Mainstreet REALTOR®, who can help you with everything from understanding hyperlocal market data to finding programs that provide downpayment assistance and improve housing affordability,” said Korpacz. “A home is one of the best investments you can make in any economy, as long as you are guided by expert advice and data to make a decision that is right for you and your family.” Several suburban communities saw especially significant increases in homes under contract in October 2025, making them areas to watch as we see whether that trend impacts closed sales in the months to come. Notable increases included: Berkeley: under contract homes up 166.7% in October 2025 vs. October 2024 Broadview: 133.3% Calumet Park: 150% Inverness: 150% Itasca: 225% LaGrange Highlands: 300% Lynwood: 133.3% Monee: 250% Mundelein: 105.9% North Aurora: 230% Palos Hills: 120% Get in touch with a Mainstreet REALTOR® for hyperlocal data and insights into programs that can help you get into a home affordably, even in today’s uncertain economy.

Oh the Places It Snows: 5 Must Try Chicagoland Winter Festivities

By Wesley Rusick • November 12, 2025
Mainstreet HQ, Downers Grove – Winter has a reputation as being too cold, not enough sunlight and a barren activities calendar. What if we told you that none of those are true and furthermore, Chicagoland has truly magical opportunities for wintery good times? After-all, November and December embrace the holiday season, where joy and new memories are just a car, train or Uber ride away. Welcome to your guide for five of the most popular and accessible winter fascinations right in our jurisdiction. We want you to see these seasonal merriments and their neighborhoods because your dream home might be nearby. The catalogue of celebrations below is aimed at attracting homebuyers to their respective areas. Homes are more than just structures; they are nestled in neighborhoods you fall in love with and build a life around. Look through what we found for you and plan an outing with friends or family or both! Schaumburg – Santa’s Flight to Schaumburg Description – Want to wait for jolly Saint Nick in style? Head on over to Pilot Pete’s in Schaumberg on December 7 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and wait in the heated hangar for his helicopter to arrive. Yes, that reads accurately. Enjoy some breakfast buffet or lunch buffet (depending on time) until you hear the whirly bird sounds of holiday cheer descending upon the tarmac. Music, food, crafts and a truly unique way to welcome Mr. Claus for the holiday season. Visit Meet Chicago Northwest for more details and bookings! Aurora - Christkindl Market Description – From November 21 to December 4 the Aurora Christkindl Market is open for business. The traditional European celebration pairs winter themes with high quality food and gift vendors, providing a classic backdrop for family pictures and cherished moments frozen in time. Build a snow globe, make an ornament or go on a holiday themed scavenger hunt! The Aurora Christkindl Market hosts live music, tasty holiday treats and is open from morning to night, Thursday to Sunday! Click here to view parking availabilities and the countdown clock! Hinsdale - Hinsdale’s Winter Wonderland Description – Sunday, December 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. pop on over to beautiful Hinsdale and head to Katherine Legge Memorial Park. You will see some familiar faces there with Mr. and Mrs. Claus available for a photo op. But you may be surprised to find out Elsa, Anna, Olaf and Kristoff from Frozen are there as well! Enjoy hot chocolate, tasty winter treats, a Toys for Tots toy drive and LIVE reindeer! Click here to register with the Village of Hinsdale! West Chicago - West Chicago Frosty Fest Description – Come ready for 150 minutes of holiday cheer for people of all ages! On Saturday December 6, West Chicago will be hosting its annual downtown winter wonderland, Frosty Fest. There you will find everything from horse-drawn trolley rides to ice sculptures, a curling rink, live alpacas and reindeer, food trucks, craft shops, face painters and of course Santa and his elves! Frosty Fest starts right at 4:30 p.m. and ends at 7 p.m. so be sure to get there right at the start to enjoy a little bit of everything! Click here to view details! Tinley Park – Holiday Happenings Description – On Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7 Tinley Park will be hosting its annual Holiday Market, which features large, heated tents filled with vendors from all over Chicagoland showcasing their unique designs and creations. Let’s not forget the festive food and beverage waiting for you and the ice rink open from November 21 to February 15. For more information and further details visit the Village of Tinley Park today! Tips for Making the Most of Chicagoland Events this Fall and Winter Contrary to popular stereotypes about Chicagoland, you don’t have to stay stuck inside as soon as the weather begins to turn colder! Instead, take this advice to make sure you’re out and about enjoying everything our region has to offer this fall and winter: · Stay Connected: Sign up for local newsletters and follow community social media pages to stay informed about upcoming events and activities. Many communities have local groups or forums where events are posted regularly. · Volunteer: Volunteering at local events is a great way to meet new people and get involved in your community. It’s also a rewarding way to give back and make a positive impact. · Explore Local Attractions: In addition to seasonal events, take the time to explore local attractions such as parks, museums and historic sites, both in the suburbs and in the world-class city that can be easily accessed from whichever town you call home. · Network with Neighbors : Don’t hesitate to introduce yourself to your neighbors and ask about local events and traditions. They can be a valuable resource for discovering hidden gems and getting acclimated to your new community. · Plan Ahead: Many events, especially popular ones, require advance registration or tickets. Make sure to plan to secure your spot and avoid missing out on any exciting opportunities. As a homeowner in Illinois, embracing the winter season offers a fantastic chance to immerse yourself in the local culture and connect with your new community. From cozy winter markets to vibrant holiday displays and outdoor activities, Northern Illinois has something for everyone. By participating in these great Chicagoland events, you’ll not only enjoy the seasons but also create lasting memories and build meaningful connections near home. So, grab your calendar, mark these dates, and get ready to explore all the wonderful experiences and events Chicagoland has to offer this winter.
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