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The Illinois home seller's checklist

By Chris Powell, licensed Illinois real estate broker · Updated July 2026

1

Before you list

1–2 weeks out

• Recent mortgage statement — within the last 60 days
• Permits for any work you've had done
• Warranties — roof, HVAC, water heater, windows
• ILOrder your 22.1 paid assessment letter — the association can take 30 days, and you can't close without it
• Check your building's rental rules — many associations don't allow renting at all
• Leases, rent roll, and security deposit records
• Get a valuation from a local expert — I'll do yours free, and online estimates miss condition and finishes
• ILHire a real estate attorney
• ILCheck what your village requires — 63 of 167 towns need an inspection

2

Get it ready

1–2 weeks out

• Give everything a home — it doesn't need to be spotless, just presentable for buyers
• Take care of any odors — I have equipment that handles this
• Fix the small visible things
• Curb appeal — lawn, beds, front door
• Secure valuables, medications, documents
• Professional photos and a floor plan
• ILSign your disclosures — property condition, radon, and lead paint if pre-1978
• Sign the listing agreement — check the term and how to cancel
• Proofread the listing — errors cause appraisal problems later
• ILTell your tenants within 7 days of listing

3

On the market

Listing to accepted offer

• Stay available for showings
• ILGive tenants 48 hours' written notice before every showing
• Read offers fully — terms, not just price
• Verify the buyer's financing

4

Under contract

30–45 days

• ILAttorney review — usually 5 business days
• Buyer's inspection — usually 7–10 days
• Answer inspection requests — you get 2–5 business days
• Appraisal, if they're financing
• ILOrder your final water reading
• ILClear every municipal balance — old fines will hold up your transfer stamp
• ILComplete your village pre-sale requirements, if yours has any

5

Closing

Final two weeks

• Complete your closing paperwork — your attorney prepares it for you Your attorney can usually close remotely, so you don't have to go to the title company.
  • Change of address form
  • Escrow disbursement form — how you'll receive your funds
  • Review the settlement statement
  • Complete all closing documents
• Book movers and schedule utility transfers — for closing day, not before
• Keep your insurance until the deed records
• Leave it broom-clean, all trash out
• Gather every key, remote, code, and manual
• Verify wire instructions by phone — never from an email. Wire fraud money is rarely recovered.
• Bring photo ID
• ILTransfer deposits and notify tenants within 10 days
• Keep the settlement statement — you'll need it at tax time

Which of these does your town actually require?

Requirements vary enormously across the 167 towns and neighborhoods I cover — transfer taxes alone range from $598 to $4,587 on the same sale. Tell me where the home is and I'll add your municipality's real requirements to this checklist, right here on this page.

Property address

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Add my town's requirements

Your information is private and never sold. I'll email you a copy of this checklist with your town's requirements. No automated calls or texts.

Sources & notes: Illinois disclosure requirements per the Residential Real Property Disclosure Act and Radon Awareness Act; condominium requirements per Section 22.1 of the Illinois Condominium Property Act; tenant obligations per Chicago's Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance. Municipal point-of-sale counts reflect a survey of the 167 Chicagoland communities covered on this site. Requirements, fees, and timelines change — always confirm current rules with your municipality, attorney, and accountant. This is general information for Illinois home sellers, not legal, tax, or financial advice.