Sell your house yourself in Illinois
Six plain-English steps from pricing to closing, and where a $199 flat fee MLS listing fits if you want agents and buyers to find your home.
Six steps to sell your house yourself
Do as much or as little yourself as you like.
- Price it
Look at recently sold homes near yours that are similar in size, age and condition, not just asking prices. A price set by evidence gets more showings than one set by hope. Our home value report is free.
- Prep it
Declutter, deep clean, fix the small things and make the entry feel welcoming. Buyers forgive paint colour more easily than deferred maintenance.
- Photos
Photos are the first showing. Use bright, level, wide shots of every main room and the exterior. Professional photography is available if you want it.
- The MLS
Most buyers work with an agent, and agents search the MLS. A flat fee MLS listing puts your home in that database and syndicates it to sites like Zillow, Realtor.com and Redfin.
- Showings and offers
Decide how showings are scheduled and screen requests. When offers arrive, compare price, financing, contingencies and closing date, not just the headline number.
- Closing
Illinois sales are typically handled with a real estate attorney. Plan on a signed contract, attorney review, inspection and title work, then closing. Ask your attorney about required seller disclosures.
Sell it yourself, with the MLS behind you
Selling on your own does not have to mean selling out of sight.
You set the price, run the showings and negotiate. There is no listing commission.
Your home appears on the local MLS and syndicates to Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, Trulia and more. Allow 1 business day.1
Start at $1992. Add Review ($99) or Full Service ($299) if you would rather not enter the listing yourself.
Simple, flat fee pricing*
One flat fee puts your home on the MLS. Add help only if you want it.
Best for seasoned sellers who don't need professional assistance. You handle the listing and everything associated with it.
You put together the listing and our staff reviews it with you for common errors and issues.
Our staff will put together the listing for you. No data entry on your part! We discuss before starting and review it together once ready.
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers for Illinois sellers.
Can I really sell my house myself in Illinois?
Yes. Owners can sell their own homes. Most people still use an attorney for the contract and closing, which is common in Illinois.
Do I need a real estate attorney?
Illinois closings usually involve attorneys on one or both sides. Ask one about your contract, disclosures and closing before you sign.
How do I price my house?
Compare recently sold, similar homes nearby and adjust for condition. A free home value report is available from us.
What is the MLS and why would a seller use it?
The MLS is the agent-only database where homes for sale are listed. About 9 in 10 buyers use an agent, so being on the MLS puts your home in front of them.
What does a flat fee MLS listing cost?
$199 one time, with no listing commission. Help tiers run $99 to $299, and MLS fees vary by MLS.
What about the buyer’s agent?
Since August 2024, commissions are no longer shown to buyer agents on the MLS. Buyers now pay their own agents, so any offer to a buyer’s agent is a separate decision between you and the buyer.
Does this work outside Illinois?
No. FlatFee serves Illinois home sellers only.
Is this legal advice?
No. This guide is general information. Talk to an Illinois attorney about your own sale.
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