Average Real Estate Commission in Illinois: 2024 Data

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By Jon Stubbs Updated March 1, 2024

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How commission works | Commission calculator | Best ways to save | Methodology

📊 The data:


Our December 2023 survey of local agents found that the average real estate commission in Illinois is 5.35%, which is less than the national average of 5.49%. Calculate your estimated commission in Illinois.

To sell a house worth $247,809 — the median home value in Illinois — you'll pay about $13,258 in realtor fees.

Realtor commission is usually the largest cost you'll face when selling your home — but you don't have to pay the full 5.35%. You can use a discount broker to save on realtor fees.

Clever Real Estate could help you save thousands on commission by pre-negotiating 1.5% listing fees with full-service Illinois realtors from top brokerages.

On that same Illinois home, you'd pay just $9,400, up to 29% less than paying average rates.

»SAVE: Sell with Clever for 1.5% listing fees and save thousands in commission!

How real estate commission works in Illinois

Average listing commission 2.75%
Average buyer's agent commission 2.60%
Total average commission 5.35%
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There are usually two real estate agents involved in the real estate transactions of a home sale:

  • The seller's agent (also called the listing agent), who represents the home seller
  • The buyer's agent, who represents the person buying the home

Based on our research, the average real estate commission paid in Illinois for listing agents is 2.75% of the final home price and 2.60% for buyer's agents, for a total of 5.35%.

» LEARN: How do real estate broker commissions work?

Real estate commission calculator for Illinois

Use this commission calculator to estimate how much you'll pay in realtor fees when you sell your home in Illinois. Enter an estimate of your home's sale price, and see how much you'll pay at different commission rates.

If you want to reduce your realtor fees, Clever can connect you with a top local listing agent charging just 1.5% commission. This will allow you to keep more of the sale proceeds for yourself.

» SAVE: Sell with Clever for 1.5% listing fees and save thousands in commission!

Who pays realtor fees in Illinois?

When selling a home in Illinois, the sales commissions for both the seller's and buyer's agents are deducted from the final sale price. These fees do not need to be prepaid.

The seller's agent earns their commission by providing services such as market analysis and handling the closing process. The buyer's agent makes their commission by bringing a qualified buyer who meets the purchase terms and closes on time.

The seller does not pay these commissions out of pocket. Similar to closing costs, the agents' fees are subtracted from the sale proceeds once the sale is completed.

Why do sellers pay the buyer's real estate agent commission?

Offering to cover the buyer's agent commission may attract more potential buyers to your listing.  

Paying this fee makes your home more enticing to buyers, since they won't have to pay their agent's commission upfront in addition to the down payment and closing costs - something many buyers can't afford.

When you make a competitive offer on the buyer's agent commission, real estate agents become more incentivized to showcase your property to their clients. This can increase your chances of getting multiple offers. Experts recommend advertising a buyer's agent commission within 0.5% of the local average, which is 2.60% in Illinois.

Will the NAR lawsuit change how real estate commission works?

On March 15, 2024, the National Association of Realtors agreed to pay $418 million in damages to settle a real estate commission lawsuit the industry group lost in November 2023. 

While the full impact of the settlement is yet to be determined, experts believe that the change will eventually lead to lower buyer's agent commissions and give buyers the ability to negotiate those commissions based on the services they need. 

The terms of the settlement are scheduled to take effect in mid-July 2024. But, the settlement hasn't been officially approved yet, and it could be delayed or changed by objections. We'll continue to monitor the status of the settlement and the effects it has on the real estate industry.

» READ MORE:

How to save on realtor fees in Illinois

Commission rates are not set in stone. In fact, we found that while 2.75% is the average listing commission in Illinois, rates typically fall between 2.00% and 3.50%. You can save money by negotiating a lower rate with your listing agent or by working with a discount real estate brokerage.

Listing commission range 2.00%– 3.50%
Buyer's agent commission 2.00%– 3.00%
Total commission range 4.00%– 6.50%
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» LEARN: What's the commission on a $1 million home?

Can I negotiate realtor commission in Illinois?

Real estate commission is always negotiable. In Illinois, the 18 agents we surveyed said these were their most common reasons for agreeing to lower their commission.

Would you lower your commission for…? Agents who answered yes
Homeowners with more than one property to sell 83%
Homeowners who also plan to buy with you 78%
Homeowners who are repeat clients 72%
Seller’s situation (e.g. divorce or death in the family) 50%
Higher property values 44%
Homes expected to sell quickly 44%
Periods of low housing inventory 39%
High competition for clients 22%
Houses in excellent condition 22%
High buyer demand in the area 22%
Highly experienced home sellers 11%
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Negotiating realtor fees in Illinois depends on two main factors: your situation and the housing market.

Factor You may have an easier time negotiating low rates if...
Your situation
  • You're selling a high-value home
  • You have a personal relationship with a realtor
  • You can offer a realtor repeat business
The Illinois housing market
  • Homes are selling quickly
  • There are relatively few homes listed for sale
  • Home values are rising
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While your personal situation may differ, real estate conditions in Illinois will impact all home sellers in the area.

Generally in a seller's market, where sellers have more leverage than buyers, listing agents' jobs are easier so they may be more willing to reduce commissions. The opposite is often true in a buyer's market.

Not comfortable negotiating with a realtor? Avoid the awkward conversation and let Clever pre-negotiate a lower rate with a top agent for you.

To gauge the current state of your local real estate market, look at these three factors:

  • Months of inventory 
  • Sale to list price ratio
  • Home value trends  

If all signs point to Illinois being a seller’s market, you may be in a good position to negotiate a lower commission with your agent. If conditions are mixed or favor buyers, it may be harder to get your agent to accept a cheaper rate.

The current state of the Illinois real estate market

Factor Trends Indication
Months of inventory There's 1.14 months of housing inventory on the market Seller's market
Sale-to-list ratio Homes are selling for 98.10% of their listing price Seller's market
Home values Home values have risen 10.45% year over year Seller's market
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» LEARN: See state-by-state average commission rates. How does your state compare?

Low commission real estate companies in Illinois 

Negotiating a lower rate with a professional negotiator can be hard! In many cases, home sellers can save just as much (or more!) by selling with a low commission real estate company.

Discount real estate brokers typically offer full-service support for a reduced commission percentage or flat rate. How they create those discounts will depend on the company's model, with some creating more risks and trade-offs than others.

Best for most sellers

Clever Real Estate

Learn more
4.9
Excellent

Listing Fee

1.5% ($3,000 min.)

Customer Rating

5.0 (2,627)

Availability

Nationwide

Overview

Pricing

Reviews

Contact

Overview: When home sellers in Illinois are on the hunt for significant savings on realtor commissions without compromising on quality service, Clever is the standout choice we advise considering.

✅ Benefits and features: Clever secures rates with up to a 50% markdown from traditional non-discount realtor fees. Their lauded matching service is also exceptionally rated, offered at no cost, and comes free of obligations.

🏠 How it works:  Clever pairs you with elite realtors from well-known firms like RE/MAX and Compass, empowering you to review and select the finest match. Each client benefits from a special 1.5% listing fee (equivalent to Redfin's rate), irrespective of the selected realtor.

Pros

  • Sell with a traditional agent from a name-brand brokerage (not a discount agent)
  • Agents work for up to 50% off their typical rate when you go through Clever
  • Most agent selection by far — choose from many top Illinois realtors

Cons

  • No guarantee you’ll be able to work with a specific agent or brokerage you have in mind
  • Add-ons like professional staging, drone photos, and 3D tours may cost extra (agents will break down what’s included during their listing presentation)

Fee structure

  • 1.5% listing commission ($3,000 min.) paid at closing
  • 2–3% buyer’s agent commission paid at closing
Weighted avg. 5.0 2,627
Trustpilot 5.0 2,402
Google 4.8 225

Website: listwithclever.com
Phone: 1-833-225-3837
Hours: 8 a.m.–8 p.m. EST, 7 days a week
Address: 6358 Delmar Blvd, Suite 300, Saint Louis, MO 63130

Redfin Illinois

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4.7
Very Good

Listing Fee

1.5% ($4,000 min.)

Customer Rating

N/A*

Availability

Multi-state

Overview

Pricing

Reviews

Contact

Overview: Redfin provides a noteworthy cost-saving opportunity for property sellers keen on maximizing value in the Chicago real estate market. Beyond the bounds of Chicago, though, Redfin's services are not an option. 

✅ Benefits and features: Redfin entices sellers with a 1.5% commission rate that holds the promise of considerable monetary savings. For sellers who both dispose of and procure a property with Redfin within a 12-month window, there's an added financial perk: a 0.5% reduction in listing fees. Moreover, Redfin boasts a formidable presence in the industry, offering a broader array of discount realtors within its network compared to other local budget-friendly agencies.

🚩 Potential red flags: Nevertheless, Redfin's heavily tech-reliant, team-centric model isn't universally appealing. The bulk of the selling process with Redfin is conducted through digital means, pairing sellers with a Lead Agent supported by an administrative team. Redfin also has a minimum $4,000 fee in Chicago and surrounding areas. So if your home is below $265,000, you’ll pay slightly more than the advertised 1.5% rate.

Pros

  • Solid listing fee savings
  • Established brand and decent agent selection
  • Tech-forward approach may appeal to some sellers

Cons

  • Higher minimum fee vs. other Chicago options
  • Limited availability in Illinois outside of Chicagoland area
  • Less agent selection than Clever

Fee structure

  • 1.5% listing fee ($4,000 min. in Chicagoland) at closing
  • 2–3% buyer’s agent commission at closing
  • 0.5% listing fee refund if you also buy with Redfin within 12 months

*Not enough available data at this time

Website: redfin.com
Phone: 1-844-759-7732
Hours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. CT, 7 days a week
Address: 112 S. Sangamon #400, Chicago, IL 60607
Areas served: Avondale, Bridgeport, Bucktown, Central Chicago, Far North Side, Glenbrook Countryside, Lincoln Park, Logan Square, North Side, Northwest Side, North Wheaton, Pilsen, Roscoe Village, South Loop, South Side, Southwest Side, West Loop, West Side, West Town, and more

Chicagoland Top Discount Real Estate Brokers

Learn more
4.1
Good

Listing Fee

1% ($3,328 min.)

Customer Rating

N/A*

Availability

Local

Overview

Pricing

Reviews

Contact

Overview: If you're a home seller in the Chicagoland area seeking substantial savings on realtor fees, Chicagoland Top Discount Real Estate offers an appealing 1% listing fee. Despite the cost-efficiency, the more limited scope of services and opaque service details could be a stumbling block for some.

✅ Benefits and features: The company offers a low 1% listing fee, which is much lower than the standard 2.5–3% listing commission. Also, if you’re selling in the Chicagoland area, you can benefit from specialized regional expertise with a focus on the Chicago real estate market, potentially outmatching other discount brokerage's local insights.

🚩 Potential red flags: Sellers may find themselves in the dark regarding the full extent of offered services beyond basic MLS listings and photography, which could be a concern for those desiring all-encompassing support during the sales experience.

Pros

  • Low 1% listing fee
  • Local market understanding of the Chicagoland area

Cons

  • Lack of transparency about what's included in the service
  • Limited transaction history and review data in Illinois

Fee structure

  • 1% listing fee ($3,328 min.) at closing 
  • 2% buyer’s agent commission at closing

*Not enough data available at this time

Website: chicagolandtopdiscountrealestatebrokers.com
Phone: (773) 987-8224
Address: 5151 N. Harlem Ave, Ste 201, Chicago IL 60656
Areas served: Chicagoland area

» LEARN: How do discount real estate brokers offer lower fees?

Next steps

Thinking of selling your home but don't know where to start? Here are some next steps.

Start interviewing local agents

Set up some listing appointments, where an agent visits your home to discuss its estimated value, lay out their marketing strategy, and provide a quote for their fee.

Here's why it's smart to sit down with a few agents before signing with one:

It's completely free to meet with agents: There's no obligation or risk on your end. Just keep in mind that the agent is meeting with you to win your business, and will try to sell you on their service.

You can compare pricing and features: Shopping around helps you find the best fit for your specific needs – in terms of fees, experience, and services provided.

Learn more about your market from an expert: Realtors can provide local data, like how much nearby homes are selling for, how fast they sell, and other current market trends.

Learn about the home sales process: An agent can walk you through the sales process from start to finish, and provide tailored advice for marketing your property to home buyers.

To get started, check out our guide on the best ways to find real estate agents — or you can sign up for Clever’s free agent matching service below to connect with top realtors in your area right now (and save on commission).

Clever has pre-negotiated low commission rates of only 1.5%, with Illinois's top agents. Contact Clever today to find out how much you can save on commission!

👋 Next Steps: Find an agent!

Clever can connect you with top local agents sell your house for a pre-negotiated low rate: just a 1.5% listing fee when your home sells (half the typical rate!).

You can interview your Clever agent matches, get free pricing estimates, and compare marketing plans — all with no strings attached.

Ready to learn more? Click below to take our simple quiz and see your agent matches!

Methodology

We gathered our commission rate data from a survey of 630 of our partner agents. The survey asked about standard local rates for both listing and buying agents. We also asked agents about when and why they're willing to negotiate real estate commissions. 

Additionally, we utilized the following data from Zillow and Realtor.com:

  • Home values, list prices, and sale prices: Based on Zillow data as of January 2024
  • Sale-to-list ratios: Based on Zillow data as of January 2024 (unless specified otherwise)
  • Months of inventory: Based on Realtor.com data as of February 2024

Additional resources for Illinois home sellers

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