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recent study suggests that Illinois home sellers may be better off with the old rules regarding commission structures. For decades, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) required listing brokers to offer a 6% split between seller's and buyer's agents upfront. However, after a lawsuit settlement, new rules now allow sellers to choose whether or not to pay for a buyer's agent.

    According to Jamie Seale with Clever Real Estate, sellers who used an agent earned significantly more than those who sold their homes by owner. The study found that agent-assisted sales resulted in a profit of $207,500, compared to $128,500 for FSBO (For Sale by Owner) sales. This difference is attributed to the expertise and marketing knowledge agents bring to the process.

    Despite lower mortgage rates and changes to commission rules, Illinois home sales are experiencing a slump. August sales were down over 6% from the previous year, while prices rose 5.4%. The study also revealed that 80% of sellers who didn't use an agent regretted their decision, often citing a lack of marketing experience and limited access to buyers and other agents as major concerns.