Sell your commercial property in Illinois
We buy commercial real estate across Illinois directly, as-is, for cash.
Illinois at a glance
- Population
- 12.7M
- Job growth
- +0.2%
- Transfer tax
- $0.50 per $500 state + $0.25 county (+ local)
- Eff. property tax
- 1.88%
We buy in Illinois
50 property types, statewide
- Gas Stations & Convenience Stores
- Warehouses & Distribution Facilities
- Car Washes
- Storage Facilities
- Industrial Outdoor Storage Facilities
- Manufacturing & Logistics Facilities
- Office Buildings
- Medical Offices
- Shopping Centers
- Hotels & Motels
- Marinas
- Multifamily Properties
- Assisted Living Facilities
- RV & Mobile Home Parks
- Parking Garages & Lots
- Campgrounds
- Billboards
- Cell Towers
- Churches
- Funeral Homes
- Commercial Land
- Farms & Ranches
- Resorts & Retreats
- Auto Collision & Repair Shops
- Auto Parts Stores
- Oil Change & Lube Centers
- Truck Stops
- Grocery Stores
- Drive-Thru & Casual Dining Buildings
- Coffee Shops
- Liquor Stores
- Pharmacies
- Dispensaries
- Urgent Care Centers
- Veterinary Clinics
- Dialysis Centers
- Dollar Stores
- Cell Phone Stores
- Early Education Centers
- Private & Charter Schools
- Bank Branches
- Movie Theatres
- Pawn Shops & Check Cashing Stores
- Data Centers & Battery Farms
- Post Offices
- Government Buildings
- Auto Dealerships
- EV Charging Stations
- Hospitals & Surgery Centers
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
Data current as of
Market conditions
The Illinois market right now
Our read
About 12.7 million people live in Illinois, and the population is growing 0.1% a year. In the latest year the state lost a net 40,017 residents to other states; median household income is $83,211.
Illinois is losing residents to other states and growing only slowly overall, so commercial demand here is about replacement, not expansion. The exception is freight. Chicago Metro is the nation's primary inland rail-freight interchange and a major industrial and office market; Rockford is an aerospace and machining cluster; Peoria is heavy equipment anchored by Caterpillar; Metro East is St. Louis-adjacent logistics.
The cost that matters is property tax. Transfer taxes are modest outside Chicago and higher inside it, but Illinois has one of the highest effective property tax rates in the country, and every buyer underwrites it.
Valuation
What your Illinois property is worth
How we price it
What a commercial property is worth in Illinois comes down to the income it produces, how durable that income is, and what it costs to hold and transfer the asset here. We underwrite all three rather than applying a statewide cap rate to a number you send us.
Income durability is where most valuations go wrong. A tenant with three years remaining in Chicago Metro is a different risk from the same tenant in Metro East, and remaining lease term alone does not capture it. We look at what the space actually re-leases for and how long it sits empty first.
Holding and transfer cost is the other half, and it comes directly out of your proceeds. Transfer tax, property tax treatment, and closing convention vary more between states than most sellers expect. The Illinois figures, with the statutes behind them, are set out in the tax and legal section below.
Capital markets today
- 10-yr Treasury
- 5.24%
- 4.12% a year ago
- SOFR
- 3.87%
- 4.2% a year ago
- 30-yr mortgage
- 7.28%
- 6.3% a year ago
- CRE loan delinquency
- 1.53%
- 1.57% a year ago
- CRE prices, YoY
- 6.58%
- -2.7% a year ago
Sources: FRED DGS10, 2026-10-01 · FRED SOFR, 2026-10-01 · FRED MORTGAGE30US, 2026-10-01 · FRED DRCRELEXFACBS, 2026-04-01 · FRED COMREPUSQ159N, 2026-01-01
Illinois tax & legal
Illinois transfer taxes are modest outside Chicago, but its effective property tax rate is among the highest in the country.
- Transfer tax
- $0.50 per $500 state + $0.25 county (+ local)
- Property tax (eff.)
- 1.88%
- 1031 conformity
- Yes
- Closing
- Attorney or title
Illinois property tax vs. the 50 states
- Illinois
- Other states
- Median state
Effective property tax rate
0.29%1.88%1.88%
1st highest of 50
Effective rates as cited on each state's page; every state's sources include Tax Foundation.
View all states as a table
| State | Effective property tax rate |
|---|---|
| Arizona | 0.48% |
| Texas | 1.40% |
| Florida | 0.78% |
| Alabama | 0.37% |
| Alaska | 0.94% |
| Arkansas | 0.56% |
| California | 0.70% |
| Colorado | 0.50% |
| Connecticut | 1.54% |
| Delaware | 0.54% |
| Georgia | 0.79% |
| Hawaii | 0.29% |
| Idaho | 0.50% |
| Illinois | 1.88% |
| Indiana | 0.76% |
| Iowa | 1.33% |
| Kansas | 1.21% |
| Kentucky | 0.74% |
| Louisiana | 0.55% |
| Maine | 0.98% |
| Maryland | 0.92% |
| Massachusetts | 1.00% |
| Michigan | 1.19% |
| Minnesota | 1.00% |
| Mississippi | 0.58% |
| Missouri | 0.89% |
| Montana | 0.61% |
| Nebraska | 1.44% |
| Nevada | 0.50% |
| New Hampshire | 1.50% |
| New Jersey | 1.88% |
| New Mexico | 0.63% |
| New York | 1.30% |
| North Carolina | 0.66% |
| North Dakota | 0.92% |
| Ohio | 1.36% |
| Oklahoma | 0.79% |
| Oregon | 0.81% |
| Pennsylvania | 1.26% |
| Rhode Island | 1.12% |
| South Carolina | 0.49% |
| South Dakota | 1.00% |
| Tennessee | 0.52% |
| Utah | 0.48% |
| Vermont | 1.51% |
| Virginia | 0.78% |
| Washington | 0.75% |
| West Virginia | 0.51% |
| Wisconsin | 1.32% |
| Wyoming | 0.53% |
Statutes
- 35 ILCS 200/31-10
- 55 ILCS 5/5-1031
Illinois is cheap to transfer in and expensive to hold, and the gap widens inside Chicago.
The state transfer tax under 35 ILCS 200/31-10 is $0.50 per $500 of value, and counties may add $0.25 per $500 under 55 ILCS 5/5-1031. Together that is 0.15%, or $6,000 on a $4M sale, and it is customarily the seller's cost. Revenue stamps must be paid before the deed can be recorded.
Home-rule municipalities can stack their own tax on top. In Chicago the total is $5.25 per $500: the buyer pays the $3.75 city portion and the seller pays the $1.50 CTA portion, or 0.30% of the price.
The larger number is property tax. An effective rate near 1.88% is one of the highest in the country, and your buyer's underwriting will reflect it. Illinois conforms to federal 1031 treatment, and closings are handled by attorneys or title companies; attorney closings are customary in the Chicago area.
Sources: Illinois Compiled Statutes; Illinois Department of Revenue; City of Chicago Department of Finance; Tax Foundation; Illinois Title Insurance Act (215 ILCS 155/3), October 2026 · ilga.gov · 003502000K31-10 · ilga.gov · 005500050K5-1031 · chicago.gov · real_property_transfertax · tax.illinois.gov · realestate · taxfoundation.org · illinois · ilga.gov · 003500050K203 · ilga.gov · 021501550K3
What this means
If you're selling in Illinois
- 01
Transfer tax of $0.50 per $500 state + $0.25 county (+ local)
Budget this as a closing cost from day one. It is charged on the sale price, not on your gain, so it applies whether or not the sale is profitable.
- 02
Either attorney or title may close
Illinois permits both. Title tends to be faster and cheaper; an attorney is worth it if the deal has unusual structure or a contested title.
- 03
1031 exchange defers state tax too
Illinois conforms to federal like-kind exchange treatment, so a properly structured 1031 defers both. You must have a qualified intermediary in place before closing — it cannot be arranged afterward.
Demand drivers
The Illinois economy
Population
12.7M
Pop. growth
+0.1%
Job growth
+0.2%
Unemployment
4.7%
Net domestic migration
-40,017
Housing permits YTD
13,774
Permits vs last year
+4.1%
Median household income
$83K
How Illinois compares
- Illinois
- Other states
- Median state
Job growth, year over year
-0.9%+1.6%+0.2%
24th lowest of 50
Population growth
-0.3%+1.5%+0.1%
10th lowest of 50
Unemployment rate
2.0%5.1%4.7%
8th highest of 50
Median household income
$59K$105K$83K
18th highest of 50
View all states as a table
| State | Job growth, year over year | Population growth | Unemployment rate | Median household income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | +0.6% | +0.9% | 4.9% | $81K |
| Texas | +1.1% | +1.3% | 4.4% | $80K |
| Florida | +0.6% | +0.8% | 4.5% | $78K |
| Alabama | +1.1% | +0.6% | 3.4% | $67K |
| Alaska | +1.3% | +0.1% | 4.3% | $96K |
| Arkansas | +0.6% | +0.6% | 3.9% | $62K |
| California | +0.8% | -0.0% | 5.1% | $100K |
| Colorado | +0.2% | +0.4% | 4.0% | $97K |
| Connecticut | +0.9% | +0.4% | 5.1% | $96K |
| Delaware | +0.1% | +0.9% | 4.7% | $88K |
| Georgia | -0.1% | +0.9% | 3.2% | $80K |
| Hawaii | +0.2% | -0.1% | 2.7% | $101K |
| Idaho | +0.9% | +1.4% | 3.6% | $81K |
| Illinois | +0.2% | +0.1% | 4.7% | $83K |
| Indiana | -0.5% | +0.6% | 3.3% | $72K |
| Iowa | +0.0% | +0.3% | 3.2% | $76K |
| Kansas | +0.5% | +0.4% | 3.8% | $76K |
| Kentucky | -0.1% | +0.5% | 4.7% | $65K |
| Louisiana | +1.6% | +0.1% | 4.2% | $61K |
| Maine | -0.1% | +0.5% | 3.2% | $76K |
| Maryland | -0.2% | +0.3% | 4.1% | $103K |
| Massachusetts | +0.2% | +0.2% | 4.3% | $105K |
| Michigan | +0.2% | +0.3% | 5.0% | $72K |
| Minnesota | +1.4% | +0.6% | 4.4% | $87K |
| Mississippi | +0.4% | +0.1% | 3.4% | $59K |
| Missouri | +1.1% | +0.4% | 3.5% | $72K |
| Montana | -0.9% | +0.6% | 3.2% | $75K |
| Nebraska | +0.2% | +0.6% | 2.9% | $76K |
| Nevada | +1.3% | +0.9% | 4.8% | $81K |
| New Hampshire | +0.2% | +0.5% | 2.8% | $100K |
| New Jersey | -0.2% | +0.4% | 4.3% | $104K |
| New Mexico | +1.6% | -0.1% | 4.7% | $68K |
| New York | -0.0% | +0.0% | 4.3% | $86K |
| North Carolina | +1.3% | +1.3% | 3.5% | $74K |
| North Dakota | +0.5% | +0.8% | 2.2% | $78K |
| Ohio | +0.2% | +0.3% | 3.3% | $72K |
| Oklahoma | +0.7% | +0.6% | 4.3% | $66K |
| Oregon | -0.8% | +0.2% | 5.1% | $85K |
| Pennsylvania | +0.6% | +0.1% | 3.7% | $78K |
| Rhode Island | +0.1% | +0.4% | 3.7% | $84K |
| South Carolina | +1.6% | +1.5% | 4.1% | $72K |
| South Dakota | +0.2% | +0.9% | 2.0% | $77K |
| Tennessee | +0.5% | +0.9% | 3.4% | $72K |
| Utah | +1.0% | +1.0% | 3.5% | $97K |
| Vermont | -0.3% | -0.3% | 2.6% | $83K |
| Virginia | -0.9% | +0.7% | 3.6% | $92K |
| Washington | +0.4% | +0.9% | 4.9% | $99K |
| West Virginia | -0.3% | -0.1% | 4.0% | $61K |
| Wisconsin | +0.6% | +0.3% | 3.2% | $77K |
| Wyoming | +0.8% | +0.3% | 3.0% | $76K |
Illinois's economy runs on freight rail and logistics, manufacturing, financial services and derivatives trading, food processing, and healthcare. Freight is the differentiator: few states have a rail interchange that pulls national distribution demand the way Chicago does.
In the latest year the state added jobs at 0.2% over the past year with unemployment at 4.7%, and residential permits are up 4.1% year to date. With residents leaving and payrolls barely moving, state-level growth is not what supports value here; logistics location and a property's tax burden are.
Chicago Metro accounts for most of our Illinois calls. As the country's main inland rail-freight interchange, it supports industrial demand that is national rather than local.
Industries driving demand
Freight rail & logistics
Manufacturing
Financial services & derivatives trading
Food processing
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, 2024 · U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2025 · U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, August 2026 · U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics (total nonfarm, YoY), August 2026 · U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey (residential units, year to date), January–August 2026
Regions
Where Illinois volume happens
- 01
Chicago Metro
The nation's primary inland rail-freight interchange; major industrial and office market.
- 02
Rockford
Aerospace and machining cluster along I-90.
- 03
Peoria
Heavy equipment manufacturing anchored by Caterpillar.
- 04
Metro East
St. Louis-adjacent counties; logistics on I-55/I-70.
Property types
What we buy in Illinois



Retail18
- Gas Stations & Convenience Stores3,407
- Car Washes783
- Shopping Centers
- Auto Collision & Repair Shops7,445
- Auto Parts Stores1,353
- Oil Change & Lube Centers364
- Truck Stops412
- Grocery Stores2,647
- Drive-Thru & Casual Dining Buildings10,622
- Coffee Shops2,677
- Liquor Stores1,496
- Pharmacies1,374
- Dispensaries
- Dollar Stores1,701
- Cell Phone Stores516
- Bank Branches3,843
- Pawn Shops & Check Cashing Stores
- Auto Dealerships889
Industrial03
Office & healthcare06
Hospitality & residential04
Specialty17
- Storage Facilities572
- Marinas75
- RV & Mobile Home Parks71
- Parking Garages & Lots539
- Campgrounds71
- Billboards124
- Cell Towers
- Churches7,046
- Funeral Homes743
- Early Education Centers3,138
- Private & Charter Schools886
- Movie Theatres150
- Data Centers & Battery Farms627
- Post Offices
- Government Buildings
- EV Charging Stations
- Gyms & Fitness Centers1,621
Process
How selling to Dizposition works
Day 0
01Send us the property
Address, asset type, and the lease if there is one. That is enough for us to start.
- 02
We underwrite it
Our underwriting runs the income against current Illinois market pricing and the cost of capital. No lowball anchor.
10 minutes
03You get a firm offer
In 10 minutes, with the math shown. You will know exactly how we got there.
As fast as 30 days
04Close on your timeline
As fast as 30 days, or as slow as you need. We are the principal, so the date is yours.
FAQ
Selling commercial property in Illinois
Where in Illinois do you buy commercial property?
Statewide. Our activity concentrates in Chicago Metro, Rockford, Peoria and Metro East, but we buy across Illinois including secondary and rural markets that most institutional buyers skip.
What kinds of commercial property do you buy in Illinois?
Retail, industrial, healthcare, hospitality, land, and specialty assets. Illinois's economy leans toward freight rail & logistics and manufacturing, so we see a lot of freight rail & logistics-adjacent property here. We also buy assets other people avoid — vacant, environmentally impaired, or with short lease term.
What are the closing costs to sell commercial property in Illinois?
Title and escrow fees, any transfer or recording tax the state levies, prorated property taxes, and payoff of existing debt. Because we are the buyer there is no commission. In Illinois, the transfer tax on a commercial sale is $0.50 per $500 state + $0.25 county (+ local). The statute and the rest of the closing-cost detail are in the tax and legal section above.
Is there a transfer tax when you sell commercial property in Illinois?
The state tax is $0.50 per $500 and counties may add $0.25 per $500; both are customarily paid by the seller before the deed can be recorded. Home-rule cities can add their own tax: Chicago charges $5.25 per $500, of which $3.75 is the buyer's city portion and $1.50 is the seller's CTA portion.
Does Illinois follow federal 1031 exchange rules?
Yes. Illinois conforms to Section 1031, so a properly structured exchange defers state income tax on the gain as well as federal. The 45-day identification and 180-day closing deadlines are federal and apply the same way.
Who handles a commercial real estate closing in Illinois?
In Illinois either an attorney or a title company can run the closing, depending on the county and the parties. We work with whichever you prefer.
Is demand for commercial property growing in Illinois?
Illinois's population is growing 0.1% a year and over the latest year it lost a net 40,017 residents to other states. Employers added jobs at 0.2% over the past year, with unemployment at 4.7%, and residential permits are up 4.1% year to date. Those are the inputs behind tenant demand; what they mean for your property depends on its submarket and lease, which is what we underwrite.
How long does it take to sell a commercial property to Dizposition?
You get a firm written offer within 10 minutes of sending us the property. If you accept, you can close in as little as 30 days — most of that is title work and your own timeline. There is no listing period, no marketing, and no waiting on a buyer's financing contingency.
Can I sell my property as-is?
Yes. We are the buyer, so there is no lender requiring repairs and no inspection contingency to renegotiate against you. Deferred maintenance, a failing roof, an aging tank system — we price it into the offer rather than asking you to fix it first.
Can I sell with a tenant in place?
Yes, and in most cases a tenant makes the property more valuable to us, not less. We will ask for the lease, a rent roll, and any estoppel certificates. You do not need to deliver the property vacant.
What if my lease is short-term or about to expire?
Short remaining term is one of the main reasons owners come to us. A conventional buyer needs lease term to get financing, which is why short-dated assets sit on the market. We underwrite the real estate and the backfill prospects rather than the remaining term alone.
What if the property is vacant?
We buy vacant assets. Pricing shifts from an income approach to what the building and land are worth to the next user, which is a different calculation — but it is one we do routinely rather than one that disqualifies the property.
Do I need a broker to sell to you?
No. We buy directly, and there is no commission because there is nothing to market. If you already have a broker, we will pay them. Selling without one saves the commission, but you should understand you are also giving up price discovery — a broker's job is to find out whether someone will pay more than we will.
What documents do I need to get an offer?
The address and the lease are enough to start. To finalize, we will want the rent roll, the last two years of operating statements, the title commitment, any existing survey, and any environmental reports you already have. You do not need an appraisal or a broker package.
How do you determine your offer?
We underwrite in-place income against what the space would re-lease for, adjust for capital needs and any environmental tail, and apply a cap rate supported by comparable transactions. We show you the inputs. If you disagree with an assumption, we would rather argue about the assumption than about the number.
What are typical seller closing costs?
Title and escrow fees, any transfer or recording tax owed in your state, prorated property taxes, and payoff of any existing debt. Because we are the buyer, there is no commission and no marketing cost. Transfer tax varies significantly by state and is often the largest single line.
Will I owe capital gains tax when I sell?
Usually yes, on the gain above your adjusted basis, and depreciation recapture is taxed separately from appreciation. State treatment varies. This is a question for your CPA before you sign, not after — the structure of the sale can change the answer.
Can I do a 1031 exchange?
Yes. A 1031 exchange lets you defer federal capital gains by reinvesting in like-kind property, subject to a 45-day identification window and a 180-day closing window from the date you sell. You must have a qualified intermediary in place before closing — it cannot be arranged afterward. Most states conform to federal treatment, but a few do not.
Can I sell if I am behind on payments or facing foreclosure?
Yes, and speed is the reason to move early rather than late. We can close on a defined date, which is what a lender or a receiver generally needs to see. Send us the payoff figure and any notices you have received.
Can I sell a property I inherited or that is in probate?
Yes. Probate sales take longer because the court timeline governs, not ours, and multiple heirs need to agree on the price before anything can close. We are used to working around both. Inherited property also generally receives a stepped-up basis, which can change the tax math substantially.
What if there is environmental contamination?
Send it anyway. Environmental history is one of the most common reasons a conventional sale falls apart, and it is one of the reasons owners call us. We price the remediation and the residual liability into the offer rather than walking away at the Phase II.
Is there any cost or obligation to get an offer?
None. There is no fee, no listing agreement, and no obligation to accept. If our number does not work for you, you keep the underwriting we showed you and we part ways.
10-minute offer
Ready to sell in Illinois?
Send us the address and the lease. You'll have a firm offer, with the math shown, in 10 minutes.