The best month to sell a house in Chicago is June. Last year, the average listing price for Chicago homes in June was $342,283, which is $20,957 more than the annual average.
The best month to sell your house fast in Chicago is June, because that's when homes tend to spend the least amount of time on the market. Last year, Chicago homes sold in June were on the market for an average of 40 days, which is 10 days faster than the annual average.
⚡ Want to sell fast? Get multiple cash offers from vetted local buyers, choose the best deal, and move quickly.
Should I sell my house now?
Whether you should sell your house now depends on multiple fluctuating factors and your home-selling priorities. In addition to understanding the best months to sell fast or aim for maximum returns, consider the following data.
Current market conditions in Chicago
Chicago has approximately 16,269 homes on the market, including 6,400 listed in the last 30 days.
At the moment, these figures and other data suggest Chicago is experiencing a moderate seller's market, with buyer demand outpacing inventory. So market conditions are generally favorable for sellers.[1]
More buyers than sellers could mean a bidding war for your house that drives up the price.⚡ Learn more about your local market. Talk to a top local agent who help you decide if now’s the right time to sell.
Current mortgage interest rates
It may not be a good time to sell if interest rates are high. High interest rates generally deter buyers from entering the market.
As of December 31, 2025, 30-year fixed rate mortgages carry 6.15% interest, which is lower than rates generally seen from 1975-2000, but higher than the historical lows we saw in 2020-21.[2] In 2026, rates are projected to range between 5.9% and 6.2%.[3]
You should also consider the interest rate you have on your current mortgage. If you've locked in a much lower rate on your current mortgage, it may not make financial sense to sell your home now if you have to get a higher-interest rate on your next house.
How much equity you have in your current house
If you have 20% or more equity in your house, you’ll typically be in a strong position to sell.
With that much equity, you'll likely have a decent amount of profit when you sell, leaving you in a strong financial position for your next purchase or move.
Typically, it takes 5-10 years living in a home and paying down your mortgage to build 20% equity.
Best time to sell a house in Chicago for speed
In Chicago, the fastest month to sell is June, when homes spend an average of 40 days on the market (DOM) — 10 days less than the annual average.
When a market has a low average DOM, that's usually an indicator of favorable conditions for sellers, i.e., a high demand among buyers. The annual average in Chicago is 50 days on the market, compared to the national average of 63 days.
When a local average DOM is less than the national average, it indicates a seller's market in that area. Conversely, when the local average DOM exceeds the national average, it indicates a buyer's market, meaning a less desirable time to sell.
We examined recent data to identify historically favorable months for quick sales in Chicago.
| Month | Days on market[4] | Difference from average |
|---|---|---|
| January | 71 | 21 days slower |
| February | 51 | 1 days slower |
| March | 42 | 8 days faster |
| April | 41 | 9 days faster |
| May | 43 | 7 days faster |
| June | 40 | 10 days faster |
| July | 43 | 7 days faster |
| August | 45 | 5 days faster |
| September | 48 | 2 days faster |
| October | 50 | Equal to average |
| November | 56 | 6 days slower |
| December | 67 | 17 days slower |
| Annual Average | 50 |
Best time to sell a house in Chicago for price
The best month to sell for top dollar in Chicago is June, when homes sell for an average of $342,283 (or $20,957 more than the annual average).
Historical data can help you understand when prices in Chicago are typically at their annual high and low. While each year will have slight variations, we analyzed recent sale prices to identify trends and average prices for each month.
| Month | Average sale price[4] | Difference from average |
|---|---|---|
| January | $300,248 | -$21,078 |
| February | $315,458 | -$5,868 |
| March | $328,043 | $6,717 |
| April | $334,958 | $13,632 |
| May | $340,116 | $18,790 |
| June | $342,283 | $20,957 |
| July | $331,136 | $9,810 |
| August | $325,215 | $3,889 |
| September | $317,578 | -$3,748 |
| October | $314,283 | -$7,043 |
| November | $307,481 | -$13,845 |
| December | $299,107 | -$22,219 |
| Annual Average | $321,326 |
Top ways to sell your house no matter the time of year
If you need to sell your Chicago home and it's not the best time of year to list, you still have options.
- Sell your home quickly: Sell to a cash buyer or an iBuyer. Cash buyers are best for sellers who need to sell in a matter of days without investing any money to fix up or stage the home. iBuyers can also close quickly with cash, but your house needs to be in good condition to qualify.
- Save money with a low commission realtor: List with a low commission brokerage in Illinois and work with full-service agents who work for reduced commissions.
- Sell without a realtor: List with a flat fee MLS company. You'll save on listing commission, but you'll need to complete every step of the selling process yourself, making this option best for experienced sellers with extra time on their hands.
Compare offers from top cash buyers, plus get an expert realtor's opinion on what your house is worth.
Get Cash OffersFAQs about the best time to sell a house in Chicago
When's the best time to sell a home in Chicago?
If you're after the best sales price, the best month to sell in Chicago is June when houses sell for 4.10% more than average.
If your priority is speed, June is the best time to sell because homes tend to sell 10 days faster than average.
When's the worst time to sell a home in Chicago?
January is the month when homes sell for the least amount of money. When it comes to a quick sale, January is the worst time to list. Homes stay on the market for an average of 57 days.
Why trust us
Data sources
Our Research Team uses real estate data from reputable sources such as Zillow, Realtor.com, FreddieMac, and House Canary to determine the best and worst months to sell a house in Chicago. We also analyze and synthesize monthly trends for listing prices, housing inventory, and mortgage rates into our own Clever Market Heat Index to determine the state of local real estate markets. We refresh the data on our pages as the primary sources update.
About Clever Real Estate
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Our team of industry-leading researchers is committed to making homeownership more accessible by educating buyers through guides like this one. We've spent thousands of hours analyzing publicly available data, surveying consumers, and interviewing industry experts. Our research has been featured in The New York Times, Business Insider, Inman, Housing Wire, and many more.
