
Vet cash buyers and know your home’s worth
Before committing to a cash offer, it’s crucial to vet the Illinois company thoroughly. The level of service and integrity you experience from a house-buying firm can vary, so make sure to:
- Research market presence: Investigate how long the company has been buying homes in your area and how they’ve performed in the market.
- Check reviews: Look for online reviews and ratings to see what other Illinois sellers have said about their experience with the company.
- Get direct feedback: Go beyond online reviews and ask actual clients to get a better sense of the company’s reputation and trustworthiness.
- Examine the agreement: Before signing anything, read the purchase agreement carefully to ensure you fully understand the terms and conditions of the sale.
HomeLight suggests you consult with an experienced local agent to get a better idea of what your home might be worth if sold on the open market. Then, compare your cash offer.
HomeLight can connect you with a top-performing agent in Illinois. You can also use our free Home Value Estimator to get an initial ballpark estimate in less than two minutes.
Other options to sell your home quickly
Working with iBuyers
When you partner with companies advertising ‘We Buy Houses Illinois’ online, you’ll encounter a particular group of companies known as instant buyers or iBuyers. These groups offer sellers many of the same conveniences of other house-buying operations, but they also leverage algorithmic technology, otherwise known as automated valuation models (or AVMs), to make a near-instant offer on homes and provide a user-friendly, mostly online sale experience.
iBuyers close transactions in a matter of days to a few weeks. But unlike more traditional We Buy Houses for Cash companies, they tend to look for Illinois homes in better condition and offer much closer to market value, typically in the 85% to 95% range.
One thing to note is that major iBuyer companies like Opendoor and Offerpad usually charge sizable fees for their services, between 5% and 6% of the home’s sale price. Sellers who may be a good fit to work with an iBuyer in Illinois include those who prefer to skip staging and showing their home, live in an area in Illinois with somewhat similar housing, and have a home in relatively good shape.
Listing with an agent
With the help of an expert agent, many listings can sell fast, especially when priced strategically. Plus, selling on the market generally fetches the highest home price, and that’s especially true if you work with a skilled professional. HomeLight data shows that the top 5% of real estate agents sell homes for up to 10% more than average agents.
Selling is a big financial decision, so it makes sense to consult with a trusted real estate agent who can complete a comparative market analysis (CMA) to help you understand your home’s value and how quickly it’s likely to sell. The CMA is usually provided at no cost.
Your agent may also be able to connect you with cash buyers who are willing to offer closer to the market value for your home. If you’re unsure how to pick the right agent, HomeLight can match you with a top performer in your area today.
»Learn more: Not sure whether to fix up your home or sell it as-is to a cash buyer? Try our Home Cash Offer Comparison Calculator to compare potential offers and see which option could put more money in your pocket.