10 Expert Tips to Sell Your Chicago Home Faster (and for More Money)

Selling your home can feel overwhelming, especially in a competitive market like Chicago. Whether you’re upgrading or downsizing, the goal remains the same: to sell quickly and for as much money as possible. At IRPINO Real Estate, we’ve helped hundreds of sellers across Chicago and the suburbs do exactly that. Here we are sharing our top 10 tips to help you get the most out of your home sale.

1. Price It Right from the Start

Overpricing is the #1 mistake home sellers make. Buyers today are savvy and have access to extensive market data. If your home is overpriced, it may sit on the market longer and eventually sell for less than if it had been priced correctly from the beginning. Work with a local real estate expert – like IRPINO Real Esatea – to do a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to ensure your home is priced based on current market conditions and recent comparable sales in your neighborhood.

2. Boost Your Curb Appeal

First impressions matter. Before a potential buyer even steps inside, they’ll notice your front yard, porch, and exterior. A tidy lawn, fresh mulch, clean windows, and a pop of color on the front door can go a long way. This is especially important when it comes to suburban homes.

3. Declutter and Depersonalize

Buyers want to envision themselves living in your space. Remove family photos, overly personal décor, and excessive furniture or accessories. The goal is to make rooms feel spacious, clean, and inviting. IRPINO Real Estate has a lot of experience in this area so we would be happy to do a walk through and give you tips on what should stay and what should go.

4. Stage Your Home for Success

If your home is currently vacant, consider staging it with furniture. Staged homes often sell faster and for more money. Professional staging highlights your home’s strengths and helps buyers envision themselves in the space. We would be happy to recommend some local staging companies for you.

5. Invest in Professional Photography and Video

Over 95% of homebuyers start their search online. High-quality photos, video tours, and drone footage can make your listing pop and attract more views. When you work with IRPINO Real Estate, our marketing includes professional HD photography, 360° virtual tours, and drone videos for every listing—a must-have in today’s digital-first market.

6. Write a Compelling Listing Description

Don’t just list the specs—tell a story. Highlight what makes your home unique, from original woodwork to updated appliances to proximity to local parks or schools. IRPINO Real Estate has an amazing Listing Coordinator on our team who writes beautiful listing descriptions for every property we sell and even calls out local landmarks like Wrigley Field or Brown Line access.

7. Be Flexible with Showings

The more people who can see your home, the faster it will sell. Try to accommodate last-minute requests and keep your home show-ready at all times. IRPINO Real Estate hosts open houses as soon as each listing goes live. We will repeat the process every 2 weeks if necessary. (but usually we don’t have to as our listings sell FAST!). And we are always happy to do private showings as well.

8. Make Strategic Repairs and Upgrades

You don’t need to renovate your entire home, but small updates can have a big return. Fix leaky faucets, patch holes, update outdated light fixtures, and repaint in neutral tones. One huge benefit to working with IRPINO Real Estate is that we also own IRPINO Construction in Chicago, so our construction and home repair knowledge runs deep. We an recommend the repairs and upgrades you should focus on and often times we can even send our crew in to do the work!

9. Understand Local Market Trends

Chicago is a city of neighborhoods, and each one moves at its own pace. What’s true in Lincoln Park might not apply in Avondale or Skokie. Make sure you work with a real estate professional that understands the hyperlocal trends in Chicago to ensure you are getting the best advice.

10. Choose the Right Real Estate Agent

Your agent should be more than a sign in the yard. They should be a strategist, marketer, negotiator, and advocate. The right agent can make all the difference. At IRPINO Real Estate in Chicago, we bring over 20 years of experience in Chicago real estate and treat our clients like family. We don’t just list your home—we create a custom plan to sell it.

Ready to Sell Your Chicago Home?

If you’re thinking about selling your home in Chicago or the surrounding suburbs, let’s talk. We’ll walk you through every step and help you sell smarter, faster, and for more.

Contact IRPINO Real Estate today for a free home valuation and personalized selling strategy.

📞 Call 773-525-0900
📧 Email [email protected]
🌐 Visit www.irpinogroup.com