Is April THE Month to Sell Your Chicago Home? (2025 Market Insights)

Thinking about selling your home in Chicago, whether it’s a condo downtown or a house in the suburbs?

One of the biggest questions on every seller’s mind is: When is the absolute best time to list?

With the local market constantly shifting, timing your sale correctly can significantly impact your final price and how quickly you sell.

If you’re considering a sale in 2025, understanding the current market dynamics is crucial.

Chicago Housing Market Snapshot:
What’s Happening Now? (Spring 2025)

Let’s cut through the noise and look at the latest data for the housing market, sourced from the St. Louis Fed (FRED).

Steady Price Growth:

The good news for potential sellers is that home prices continue to show strength in the region.

The median listing price currently sits around $360,000. Broader measures like the Case-Shiller Home Price Index for Chicago confirm this upward trend, showing a +4.2% increase year-over-year.

Rapid Sales Pace:

Homes are moving off the market remarkably quickly right now.

The median “Days on Market” (DOM) for the metro area has plunged to just 36 days! This indicates very strong buyer demand and a fast-paced market.

The Data-Driven “Sweet Spot”:
When Should You List in 2025?

While selling is possible year-round, market data consistently points towards a specific window as being particularly advantageous for sellers.

For 2025, analysis from sources like Realtor.com® still highlights the week of April 13th through April 19th as a prime time.

Why this specific week?

Historical data suggests sellers who list during this mid-April period often achieve two key benefits:

1. Higher Sale Price: On average, they secure about 1 percent more for their home compared to the annual average in this market.
2. Faster Sale: They tend to go under contract approximately nine days faster than the yearly average – crucial in a market that’s already moving swiftly.

Why Does Mid-April Work?
Market Dynamics Explained

Hitting this mid-April “sweet spot” isn’t just luck; it’s about aligning with key local market forces:

Early Buyer Surge:

• You capture the attention of serious spring buyers across Chicagoland who often start their search early, aiming to move before summer.

Lower Competition (Initially):

• While the absolute highest prices might occur later, so does the peak level of competition from other listings in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.
• If you list in mid-April, you allow yourself to tap into strong demand before inventory levels reach their highest point.

Very Tight Inventory:

• The number of homes available for sale remains very low. Current active listings stand at just ~12,300 across the metro area, down significantly from historical seasonal highs.
• This low inventory (barely a month’s supply, given the rapid sales pace) means less competition for your well-priced, market-ready home.

Mortgage Rate Influence:

• As of mid-April 2025, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is hovering around 6.8% according to Freddie Mac data via FRED.
• While not historically low, the uncertain rate environment continues to motivate some buyers to act now before potential future increases, which sustains demand.

What’s Next? Location & Taxes Matter!

These overall market trends and the optimal timing provide a strong foundation. However, the local real estate market is incredibly diverse.

The trends in Logan Square might look very different from Downtown Chicago or suburban areas like Arlington Heights or Oak Park.

Furthermore, the ever-present factor of Cook County (and its surrounding counties’) property taxes plays some role in a buyer’s decision in Illinois. A higher than average increase appears to be in the cards for the coming tax cycle.

Next in this series, we’ll dive deeper into:

• Which specific Chicago neighborhoods and suburbs are seeing the most activity (relative to the new 36-day average)?
• How does the Cook County property tax situation potentially impact your sale in 2025?

Look for our upcoming post focusing on Chicago Hot Spots vs. Slow Spots & the Cook County Tax Alert!

Sources

1. Median Listing Price, Chicago MSA (FRED Series: MEDLISPRI16980)
2. Case-Shiller Home Price Index, Chicago IL (FRED Series: CHXRSA)
3. Median Days on Market, Chicago MSA (FRED Series: MEDDAYONMAR16980)
4. Active Listing Count, Chicago MSA (FRED Series: ACTLISCOU16980)
5. 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average (FRED Series: MORTGAGE30US)
6. Realtor.com® Research (Search the site for the “Best Time to Sell” report for the specific year)
7. Chicago Housing Market: Trends & Prices (2025)
8. Illinois Housing Market Forecast – March 2025 (PDF)