Selling Your Home: Do This First

Thinking of selling your home? It can be an overwhelming thing to even consider, but breaking the process down into simpler steps can help.

Step 1: Set Your Timeline


The first step is basic but critical. Determine if you are really ready to move, and what your timeframe is for doing so. If your move is being determined by a job transfer to another state, for example, this could be fairly straightforward. But, if you are looking for a bigger home in the same neighborhood, looking to move closer to family, or ready to downsize for retirement, your timeline may be more flexible.


In cases like these, you may want to consider the current market conditions before making a decision. Now is a great time to sell. Homes are still moving quickly, especially when they’re move-in ready. With the impact of inflation and inventory remaining tight, homes are still appreciating in value, and sellers are making great gains. With proper staging and marketing, you can really make your home stand out.


If you decide 2024 is the year for your move, give some thought to whether you want to try to time your move around any specific dates, such as the new school year or winter holidays.

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Step 2: Find a Mainstreet REALTOR®


You may be wondering if you ought to do more before you seek out a REALTOR®, such as making home improvements to up the value of your house. But here's the thing: your REALTOR® will be your best advisor as you make choices like this one.


Not all home renovations pay off when you sell your home, and a local REALTOR® is going to be the best resource for understanding what upgrades are worth it in your neighborhood. What people are looking for varies by location and price point, so generalized online advice isn't going to cut it. A Mainstreet REALTOR® will know a variety of local contractors and can connect you with the best person for the job.


From there, your Mainstreet REALTOR® will help you navigate the ins and outs of listing your home, setting up showings and more. Once you have this advisor by your side, you'll have a guide through all stages of the home selling process.

Step 3: Start Preparing Your Home


With your Mainstreet REALTOR® by your side, you can start to take intentional, focused steps to prepare your home to go on the market. Your REALTOR® will help you make necessary improvements without wasting time or money, so you can have your home on the market as fast as you’d like.

Summer Slowdown Likely to Lead to More Fall Sales

By Amy Robey • September 25, 2026
Even though suburban home sales were down in August, REALTORS® anticipate more summer sales closing as fall emerges. There were 2,672 detached homes that sold last month, a 4.1% decline from the same month last year when 2,787 sold. However, detached homes under contract went up 5.3%. There were 2,572 detached homes under contract in August 2025 compared to 2,707 last month. "A lot of families want to get under contract before the start of the school year because for some districts that's enough for children to be able to start school," said Kinga Korpacz, immediate past president of Mainstreet REALTORS®. "And then they will delay their closings for 30 to 60 days." Because of this Korpacz anticipates an increase in sales in September and October. Timelines aside, prices rose once again in August. Detached homes went for a median price of $450,000, up from $420,000 in August 2025. Median prices are up 5.1% year to date. The attached market saw sales decrease nearly 10% year over year. There were 1,214 attached homes sold in August 2026 versus 1,344 in August 2025. Attached homes under contract held steady with 1,361 in August 2026 compared to 1,365 in August 2025. Median prices for these homes were up $10,000 August over August, coming in at $290,000 last month. "Right now is a great time for individuals or families without children to jump into the market, since the start of school is not a barrier to entry. Early fall is also ripe for investors," said John Gormley, CEO of Mainstreet REALTORS®. " You can work with a Mainstreet REALTOR® who can help you build a strategy and possibly even find a deal if your timing is right." While most suburban Chicagoland communities have seen prices climb this year some have actually seen prices fall, making these areas good targets for buyers who are concerned about affordability. Notable year-to-date (January through August 2026) median sale price decreases for detached homes included: Robbins (median sale price decreased 33.7%) Willow Springs (-23.8%) Medinah (-11.8%) Riverdale (-10.5%) Calumet City (-9.1%) Harvey (-9.1%) Lagrange Highlands (-8.8%) Prospect Heights (-7.9%) Olympia Fields (-7.0%) Antioch (-6.7%) The market may be less competitive as the summer rush winds down and we head into fall. If you're not tied to the school year calendar, now is a great time to start your search. With less competition, there could be real opportunities to find the right home at the right price.

Chicagoland Home Prices Rise 7% as Housing Market Remains Steady

By Amy Robey • August 19, 2026
The median sale price for detached homes rose 7% in the Chicagoland suburbs last month as compared to the same timeframe in 2025. At the same time, the number of homes sold and under contract held relatively steady, indicating price pressure is not slowing the market down as some expected. “Buyers have come around to the fact that prices and interest rates are not going to come down any time soon,” said Kinga Korpacz, President of Mainstreet REALTORS®. “In July, we saw that they’re still willing to get in the game, despite the fact that buying a home continues to get more expensive.” The median sale price for a detached home in Chicagoland was $420,000 in July 2025. In July 2026, it reached $450,000. These local trends are consistent with national data from the National Association of REALTORS®, which show year-over-year increases in housing prices across the country. However, today’s market isn’t all bad news for buyers. “We are seeing smart buyers with REALTORS® by their side finding ways to get an advantage in this market,” explained Korpacz. “When a buyer works with a REALTOR® who can help them understand hyperlocal market data, they can come in and make a very strategic offer. This is the case even for a home they feel they might be priced out of affording and they can still win at a price they feel good about.” Even as prices continue to rise, buyers are making fewer concessions, as well. “Gone are the days of having to waive an inspection just to compete,” Korpacz said. In recent months, pricing has not been the only thing holding buyers back. The start of the year was marked by extremely low housing supply in Chicagoland. In January and February, data from MRED showed just 1.7 months worth of housing supply in the Chicagoland PMSA, meaning it would take just 1.7 months to sell through all available home listings. However, that number began to climb back up in May and in July 2026 reached 2 months of housing supply. “If you’ve been sitting out of the housing market due to low supply or rising prices, now is the time to jump back in,” said John Gormley, CEO of Mainstreet REALTORS®. "Price increases seem to be here to stay so buying a home will likely get more expensive if you wait, not less. And now, we’re seeing that buyers are also finding more houses that meet their requirements which gives them more power, especially if they have a Mainstreet REALTOR® by their side.” While most suburban Chicagoland communities saw prices increase in July 2026, some actually saw prices fall, making these areas good targets for buyers who are concerned about affordability. Notable year-over-year median sale price decreases for detached homes included: Justice (median sale price decreased -30.0%) Winthrop Harbor (-19.7%) Oak Brook (-19.2%) Elmhurst (-16.8%) Richton Park (-16.5%) Burr Ridge (-16.4%) Palos Park (-15.5%) Markham (-14.1%) Hickory Hills (-13.2%) Bridgeview (-13.0%). If you’re buying or selling in this market, make sure to ask your Mainstreet REALTOR® to help you interpret the local data in your ideal community so you can use it to your advantage. To find a Mainstreet REALTOR® you can trust visit https://www.chicagolandhomes.com/realtor/agents .
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