Faqs

The cost of living is 17.2% higher than Elgin. To maintain the same lifestyle you have in Elgin, you would need to earn about $209,289 in Chicago.

Illinois is one of the more reasonable states for middle-class buyers. Even Chicago neighborhoods offer affordable urban living options.

To purchase a foreclosed home in Chicago, search for properties and consult a real estate agent. Get pre-approved or prepare a cash offer, and then buy as-is. Foreclosures do not usually come [...]

Decatur was ranked the most affordable city in the entire country, and Springfield ranked fourth. Springfield’s median home value is $153,738, much lower than the U.S. average.

Buying a property in foreclosure involves getting pre-approved for financing, working with an experienced agent, and searching listings, such as those from the Illinois Housing Development [...]

Home prices and mortgage rates remain high, but buying now means you start building equity immediately. You also lock in today’s interest rates before they rise again.

You may fix it up and then list with a realtor or bypass the work and sell directly to a cash buyer. Companies like Jeff Buys Your House will present you with a fair cash offer, no matter the [...]

Zillow’s Home Value Index (ZHVI) is very reliable. The algorithm Zestimate has a median error rate of 1.83% for on-market homes and 7.01% for off-market homes.

You may post a For Sale by Owner (FSBO) listing on Zillow for free. Your listing also appears on Trulia for access to more potential buyers.

Generally, working with a real estate agent can net you the highest sale price, but you would also need to invest in repairs, cleaning, staging, and be ready to pay commissions. In Illinois, the [...]