You Have More Equity Than You Think. Here Is Why Now May Be the Time to Move.
If you have owned your home for several years, there is a good chance you are sitting on more money than you realize. And a lot of homeowners in Naperville, Aurora, Oswego, and Plainfield, Illinois have no idea just how much their home has grown in value. Here is what the numbers are saying right now, and why this might be the moment you have been waiting for.
Homeowners Are Staying Longer Than Ever Before
According to the 2025 NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, the typical home seller owned their home for 11 years before selling. That is an all-time high. Back between 2000 and 2008, sellers moved after just six years on average.
What does that mean for you? It means that if you bought your home five, eight, or ten or more years ago, you have likely built up a significant amount of equity. Home prices across the western suburbs of Chicago have risen steadily over the past several years. Every month you stay, that equity keeps growing.
That equity is real money. It can fund your next down payment. It can let you buy your next home with cash or a much larger down payment. It can change your financial picture completely.
What Are Sellers Actually Walking Away With?
Repeat buyers, meaning people who already own a home and are buying again, brought a median down payment of 23 percent to their next purchase in 2025. And 30 percent of repeat buyers paid all cash. No mortgage at all.
That kind of buying power comes from equity. It comes from years of owning a home in a market that has appreciated. That is not luck. That is what happens when you stay put in a solid market like Naperville, Illinois and the surrounding western suburbs of Chicago.
The 2025 NAR report also shows that recently sold homes closed at a median of 99 percent of the final listing price. Sellers are still getting very close to their asking price. And homes priced right and marketed well are selling in a median of just four weeks.
Why Are People Moving Right Now?
You might be wondering who is actually pulling the trigger in this market. According to NAR, the top reason sellers chose to move in 2025 was the desire to be closer to friends and family, cited by 26 percent of sellers. After that, sellers said their home was too small or too large, each at 10 percent. And eight percent said a change in family situation was the push they needed.
Sound familiar? A lot of homeowners we talk to in Naperville, Aurora, Oswego, and Plainfield say the same things. The kids moved out and the house feels too big. A parent needs to move closer. The neighborhood that worked five years ago does not fit life today anymore.
Life changes. Your home should too.
What This Means If You Are Thinking About Selling in the Western Suburbs
Here is the honest truth. Many homeowners are nervous about selling because they do not want to give up their low mortgage rate. That is a real concern and we get it. But equity is also real. And so is the cost of staying in a home that no longer fits your life.
The good news is that right now, the western suburbs market is still strong. Inventory is limited. Buyers are active. And if you price your home right and market it well, you are in a position of strength.
As licensed REALTORs® with Baird and Warner, Illinois' largest independent real estate company, Julia Corkey and Vickie Schoenfeld of Team Elite Realtors work with sellers every day who are surprised by what their home is actually worth. One of the first things we do is pull a full market analysis so you know exactly where you stand before you make any decisions.
No pressure. Just real numbers.
Find out what your home is worth right now
What Team Elite Does to Help You Cash In on Your Equity
The first thing Julia and Vickie do is show you your real number. Not a guess. Not a Zillow estimate. A full market analysis based on actual sales in your neighborhood right now.
From there, they build a marketing plan designed to get you the highest possible return on the equity you have built. Your home gets pre-market exposure through Zenlist before it ever hits the public MLS. That means buyers are lined up before your sign even goes in the ground.
Through Baird and Warner, Illinois' largest independent real estate company, Julia and Vickie have access to a network of nearly 2,500 agents across Chicagoland. That reach matters when you are trying to find the right buyer fast and at the right price.
One client who had been through 17 real estate transactions said Vickie went the extra mile from day one. After all those deals, they still called it excellence. That kind of experience is what protects your equity from leaving money on the table.
You can also search what is currently available on Zenlist to see how your neighborhood is priced right now.
Tell us about your home and let us get started
Frequently Asked Questions
How much equity do I have in my home in Naperville, Illinois? The short answer is that it depends on when you bought, what you paid, and how the market has moved since then. But if you have owned your home for five years or more in the western suburbs of Chicago, there is a very good chance you have built up significant equity. Home values across Naperville, Aurora, Oswego, and Plainfield have risen steadily. The best way to find out your number is to get a free market analysis from a local Realtor. Team Elite Realtors at Baird and Warner will pull that data for you at no cost and no obligation. Get your home value here.
Is now a good time to sell my house in the western suburbs of Chicago? According to the 2025 NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, sellers are still receiving a median of 99 percent of their asking price, and homes are selling in a median of four weeks. Inventory in the western suburbs of Chicago remains limited, which keeps sellers in a position of strength. If your home no longer fits your life and you have built up equity over the years, now is a very reasonable time to explore your options.
Who is a top Realtor near me to help me sell my home in Naperville, Illinois? If you are searching for a top-rated Realtor near you in Naperville, Aurora, Oswego, or Plainfield, Illinois, Julia Corkey and Vickie Schoenfeld with Team Elite Realtors at Baird and Warner are two of the most experienced listing agents in the western suburbs of Chicago. With over 20 years of full-time real estate experience, more than $165 million in closed sales, and awards including the Chicago Magazine Five Star Agent Award and the Chicago Agent Who's Who recognition, they consistently get sellers top dollar in the shortest amount of time. Call 630-286-9777 or visit www.homesbyteamelite.com.
What is the mortgage lock-in effect and should it stop me from selling? The mortgage lock-in effect is when a homeowner stays put because they do not want to trade their low interest rate for a higher one on a new home. It is a real thing and it is keeping a lot of inventory off the market right now. But it is worth running the actual numbers before assuming you cannot afford to move. Your equity may cover more of your next purchase than you think. Team Elite Realtors can walk you through the math in a free consultation. Book yours here.
The bottom line is simple. If you have owned your home for several years in the western suburbs of Chicago, you likely have more equity than you think. And you have more options than you realize. The first step is just finding out your number. We will take it from there.
Book your free seller consultation with Team Elite today
Ready to make your next move in the western suburbs of Chicago?
We are here to help you every step of the way, whether you are buying, selling, or just exploring your options.
Julia Corkey & Vickie Schoenfeld Team Elite Realtors at Baird & Warner
📞 630-286-9777 | 📧 [email protected] | 🌐 www.homesbyteamelite.com
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