Selling a Home in Illinois Before Relocating to Texas: A Real Client Story

Moving to another state is about much more than packing boxes. For homeowners, an interstate move often means coordinating a home sale, preparing the property for buyers, managing showings, negotiating offers, and keeping everyday family life moving at the same time.

For Larone and Manushi, the goal was clear: sell their Illinois home and begin their next chapter in Texas with their two children. What followed was a home sale that required preparation, flexibility, persistence, and three separate contracts before reaching the closing table.

Their experience is also a reminder that selling a home before a major relocation does not always follow a straight line. Sometimes the right strategy involves making improvements before listing. Sometimes an offer falls apart. And sometimes getting to the finish line means staying patient when the first or second opportunity does not work out.

Finding a Selling Strategy That Fit Their Goals

Larone and Manushi originally found me through Google and invited me to their home for a walkthrough. We sat down together to discuss their goals, timeline, and plans for relocating to Texas.

Rather than immediately recommending that they put the property on the market, we looked at two possible strategies.

Strategy #1: Sell the home as-is.

Strategy #2: Make selected repairs and improvements before listing to improve the home's presentation and potential market position.

They decided to move forward with the second strategy.

That decision meant coordinating the work before the property was officially listed. I brought in my handyman crew, helped coordinate the necessary repairs, prepared the home for the market, and then launched the listing.

The goal wasn't to renovate every part of the house. It was to identify improvements that made sense for the property and the selling plan.

That distinction is important for homeowners considering a move. Preparing a home for sale doesn't automatically mean taking on a major renovation. In many situations, sellers need to determine which repairs or updates are worth considering and which projects may not make financial sense.

Then the Home Sale Took an Unexpected Turn

Once the property was listed, the selling process became much more active.

The home eventually received approximately 50 showings, but getting from the first showing to the closing table required three separate contracts.

The first buyer submitted an as-is offer and completed a home inspection. After the inspection, the buyer attempted to renegotiate.

Larone and Manushi decided not to renegotiate, and the buyer ultimately walked away during the inspection period.

But that wasn't the only issue.

The sellers' camera footage showed damage to the front porch railing that they believed occurred during the inspection. After attempts to resolve the matter with the inspection company, I arranged for my handyman to repair the railing so the home could be prepared for showings again.

The experience demonstrated something sellers don't always see before listing: a home sale can involve unexpected problems even after an offer has been accepted.

Having someone coordinate the moving pieces can become particularly important when the homeowners are simultaneously preparing for a long-distance relocation.

Buyer #2: Another Offer, Another Unexpected Change

The home returned to the market, and another buyer submitted an as-is offer.

This time, the buyer even waived the home inspection.

It looked like the transaction might finally move forward.

Then the buyer unexpectedly walked away.

For Larone and Manushi, that meant going back to the market again.

At this stage, persistence became just as important as the original selling strategy. They had already spent time preparing the property, managing showings, responding to offers, and dealing with unexpected issues.

And they were doing all of this while preparing to move their family from Illinois to Texas.

Buyer #3: The Contract That Made It to Closing

Then came the third buyer.

Third time really was the charm.

The home ultimately sold for $359,900 — the full asking price.

After two contracts fell apart, the third transaction successfully reached the closing table.

For Larone and Manushi, the sale represented more than simply completing a transaction. It allowed them to move forward with the next chapter their family had been preparing for.

Selling a Home While Working From Home and Raising a Family

One of the details that made this transaction especially memorable was what was happening behind the scenes.

Both Larone and Manushi worked from home during the sale, while their two children were home for summer break.

Approximately 50 showings meant repeatedly gathering the kids, leaving the house, and rearranging their daily routines so prospective buyers could tour the property.

Then came inspections, repairs, negotiations, two returns to the market, and the eventual third contract.

That is a lot to manage under normal circumstances.

Doing it while working from home and preparing for an interstate move added another layer of complexity.

Their willingness to continue cooperating with the selling process, even after the first two contracts failed, played an important role in getting the transaction completed.

And yes, there was a little bribery involved.

I brought Nothing Bundt Cakes Bundtinis for the kids and thanked them for being patient and helpful throughout the many showings.

Nearly 50 showings may not have been the summer-break experience they expected, but the family stayed with the process.

From a $213,400 Purchase to a $359,900 Sale

Another notable part of Larone and Manushi's story is the change in the home's purchase price over time.

They purchased the property in September 2017 for $213,400.

They later sold it for $359,900.

That represents a difference of:

$359,900 − $213,400 = $146,500

The sale price was therefore $146,500 higher than their original purchase price, before accounting for transaction costs, improvements, financing, taxes, and other factors that affect actual proceeds and gain.

This is one reason a homeowner's purchase history can be useful context when evaluating a potential sale. However, the difference between a purchase price and sale price is not necessarily the same as taxable capital gain.

What About the Tax-Free Home Sale?

The original client story states that Larone and Manushi qualified for the federal capital-gains exclusion because the property was their primary residence and they met the applicable ownership and residency requirements.

The IRS currently states that qualifying homeowners may generally exclude up to $250,000 of gain, or up to $500,000 for qualifying married couples filing jointly, subject to the applicable requirements. In general, the ownership and use tests require owning and using the home as a main residence for at least two years during the five-year period ending with the sale.

Because tax circumstances vary, homeowners should confirm their individual situation with a qualified tax professional rather than assuming a home sale is fully tax-free.

What This Illinois Home Sale Teaches Sellers

Larone and Manushi's experience offers several practical lessons for homeowners preparing to sell before a relocation.

1. Consider Your Options Before Listing

There isn't necessarily one preparation strategy that works for every property.

Some sellers may choose to sell as-is. Others may decide that targeted repairs or improvements make sense before going to market.

The important step is evaluating the property and the seller's goals before deciding how to prepare it.

2. Expect the Unexpected

A contract does not automatically mean the transaction will reach closing.

Inspections, negotiations, financing, buyer decisions, repairs, and other transaction details can affect the path from contract to closing.

Having a plan for what happens when something changes can make the process easier to manage.

3. Going Back on the Market Isn't the End

After Buyer #1 walked away and Buyer #2 unexpectedly exited, the home returned to the market.

That can be frustrating for any seller.

For homeowners who are relocating, however, the pressure can feel even greater because the home sale is connected to another major life transition.

This transaction ultimately required three contracts before reaching closing.

4. Preparation Matters

Before the home was listed, repairs were coordinated and the property was prepared for the market.

The objective was to present the home properly while avoiding unnecessary work.

A thoughtful pre-listing strategy can help sellers understand what should be addressed before buyers begin walking through the property.

5. Communication Becomes Even More Important During Relocation

Selling locally can be complicated enough.

Selling a home while moving to another state adds another set of deadlines and responsibilities.

Homeowners may be balancing packing, work, children, travel, temporary housing, closing dates, and their next home.

Clear communication among the seller, broker, attorneys, inspectors, contractors, title professionals, and other parties can help keep the transaction organized.

Allison Towne Realty describes communication and coordination as important parts of its approach, including working with attorneys, lenders, title companies, inspectors, contractors, appraisers, and other professionals.

Goodbye, Illinois. Hello, Texas.

The day before closing, I stopped by to see Larone and Manushi.

They were tired from packing and everything that had happened during the sale, but they were finally ready for their next chapter.

I gave them a hug, a gift, and said goodbye.

That was when I took the photo of them standing together on the front porch of their Illinois home.

Their home sale had not been easy.

It took three contracts.

It involved approximately 50 showings.

There were inspections, repairs, negotiations, unexpected changes, and two trips back to the market.

But they stayed patient, remained committed to the process, and eventually reached the finish line.

Goodbye, Illinois.

Hello, Texas.

Congratulations, Larone and Manushi. I wish your family happiness, success, and many incredible new memories in Texas.

And thank you for trusting Google to help you find a real estate broker — and, most importantly, for trusting me to guide you through the twists and turns of your home sale.

I am also incredibly grateful that you took the time to leave such a wonderful review about my services. That means more than you know.

Thinking About Selling Before a Relocation?

A long-distance move often starts with a simple question:

What should we do with our current home?

For some homeowners, the answer may be to sell before moving. For others, the timing may look different.

The right approach depends on the property, timeline, financial circumstances, market conditions, and goals of the homeowner.

If you're considering selling a home in Illinois before relocating, start by understanding your options before putting the property on the market.

Irina Allison and the team at Allison Towne Realty work with buyers and sellers across Joliet, Timbers Edge Villas, Naperville, Plainfield, Oswego, Morris, Ottawa, Romeoville, Bolingbrook, Lockport, and New Lenox. The brokerage's current site also highlights relocation among the situations it helps clients navigate.

Thinking about selling your Illinois home before your next move? Contact Irina Allison to discuss your goals, timeline, and home-selling options.

Frequently Asked Questions

How should I prepare my Illinois home before selling?

Start with a walkthrough of the property and identify repairs, maintenance issues, presentation concerns, and improvements that may be worth considering. The right preparation strategy depends on the home's condition, market position, budget, and selling timeline.

Should I sell my Illinois home as-is or make repairs first?

There is no universal answer. Some properties may make sense to sell as-is, while others may benefit from targeted repairs or improvements before listing. A pre-listing consultation can help homeowners compare the potential costs and benefits.

What happens if a buyer backs out after an offer?

The answer depends on the contract, applicable contingencies, deadlines, and circumstances of the transaction. Inspection periods and other contractual provisions can affect a buyer's ability to terminate or renegotiate. Sellers should rely on their broker and appropriate legal professionals for guidance on their specific contract.

Can I sell my Illinois home before moving to another state?

Yes. Homeowners can sell their current property before relocating, but the timing requires coordination between the home sale and the upcoming move. A clear timeline can help sellers plan showings, repairs, closing, moving arrangements, and their next residence.