If you’re looking to sell your house or investment property in Chicago without using a real estate agent, CVG Properties is here to help, especially if you’re dealing with an older home or city code violations.
While we do work with brokers when needed, we understand that sometimes it’s better to avoid paying someone to be the middleman, particularly when you need a quick, transparent solution.
Let’s be honest—paying 5-6% of your property’s sale price in commission is substantial. Yes, IL real estate agents can be valuable in certain situations, but if you’re facing foreclosure, probate deadlines, or dealing with a distressed rental property, that commission might be an unnecessary expense.
How Do I Sell My House Without An Agent in Chicago?
There are several ways to avoid those high commissions when selling your property in IL, especially when time is of the essence.
First, there’s an important industry practice you should know about.
In most Chicago property sales, approximately half of the commission you pay as the seller actually goes toward paying the buyer’s broker—not just your own agent.
That doesn’t make much sense, does it?
Why should you be responsible for paying the agent representing the other party’s interests?
Honestly, it defies common sense—it’s simply the traditional way things are done.
However, understanding this system allows you to use it to your advantage in several ways.
First, when reviewing comparable sales in your area, remember to factor in the commissions that were paid. If similar properties to yours sold for prices that included these commissions, take that into consideration when pricing your home.
Don’t underprice your property —be aware that knowledgeable buyers may also expect a discount. If you’re handling one agent’s responsibilities yourself, you deserve to keep that portion of savings.
In Chicago, buyers without agent representation sometimes forget to negotiate the buyer’s agent commission out of the price. There’s no need to remind them if you prefer not to pay this—just be prepared if it comes up during negotiations.
You might consider offering 2.5% to buyer’s agents who bring clients to view your property. Yes, it’s significant, but if your pricing includes this commission, you can always negotiate better terms for buyers who come without representation.
On the flip side, not accommodating for the buyer’s agent commission could mean excluding a large portion of potential buyers in the Chicago market, especially those with older homes that might need special attention.
Over 90% of real estate transactions happen through the MLS – the Multiple Listing Service. This is the primary database that all Chicago brokers use to access information on available properties and recent sale prices.
Previously, getting your property on the MLS required paying a full commission. Today in Chicago, several brokers will list your property on the MLS for just a flat fee, with commission only due if the sale completes—a particularly good option for unique properties with specific challenges.
Compared to traditional newspaper advertising, the MLS offers an affordable way to market your property to an extensive audience, especially important when dealing with properties that might have code violations or need specialized buyers.
All major real estate websites like Realtor.com, Zillow, and Yahoo Homes pull data from the MLS. When you list your Chicago property on the MLS, information typically appears on most major sites within days, expanding your reach significantly.
These sites offer paid enhancement packages to feature your listing prominently in searches, along with various other promotional tools that may or may not help attract serious buyers to your property.
Real estate advertising is unpredictable. Sometimes open houses in Chicago IL effectively sell properties, and sometimes they’re ineffective. The same applies to newspaper ads, Craigslist postings, and signage—results vary widely, especially for homes with unique challenges.
To effectively sell your property on your own, you have to market it well.
Distributing flyers and placing signs in your neighborhood might generate some interest, and there are plenty of free websites where you can post listings. However, these traditional methods often fall short if your house requires specialized attention or has issues that might deter conventional buyers.
Theoretically, real estate agents charge substantial commissions because they invest significantly in upfront property advertising. By marketing multiple properties simultaneously, they aim to generate more inquiries and maximize profits through volume sales.
Some properties—particularly older homes or those with code violations—might require thousands in advertising expenses before connecting with the right buyer who recognizes their potential.
If you want to avoid paying any commissions, you can also sell your house to investors like us for CASH
At CVG Properties, we offer fair prices for homes in any condition—and as a bilingual team specializing in older properties, we can close quickly (in as little as 3-5 days if necessary) while handling any ordinance or village violations.
Sometimes we purchase Chicago houses, renovate them, then rent them out; other times we restore them and sell to homebuyers seeking quality properties in the area. We have various investment strategies, but we’re always eager to hear from homeowners considering selling anywhere in IL, especially those facing tight deadlines or challenging situations.
We’re investors who are deeply committed to revitalizing Chicago neighborhoods and preserving the character of older homes that others might overlook.
We close quickly and pay cash in as little as 3-5 days, with no surprises and complete transparency throughout the process. Contact us now at 312-625-6506 or fill out the short form over here.