Top Realtors and Real Estate Agents in Salem, IL
Rankings based on verified MLS transaction data. Last updated September 2026. No pay-to-play.
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Top Agent
$71.3M
All-Time Sales
$80K - $1.1M
Price Range
5%
Negotiated Off List
Top Agent
(486)
Jim Starwalt & The Star Home Team
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Star Homes
28 Years of experience
618+ Sales in the last 12 months
$1.09B
All-Time Sales
$200K - $2.2M
Price Range
5%
Negotiated Off List
Top Agent$344M
All-Time Sales
$200K - $1.9M
Price Range
1,362
Total Number Of Homes Sold
Top Agent(29)
Renee OBrien
Keller Williams Northshore West
18 Years of experience
37+ Sales in the last 12 months
$149.9M
All-Time Sales
$180K - $1.3M
Price Range
6%
Negotiated Off List
Top Agent(9)
Angela Stodden
Keller Williams Realty Signature
22 Years of experience
42+ Sales in the last 12 months
$83M
All-Time Sales
$150K - $4.8M
Price Range
7%
Negotiated Off List
Top Agent$38.4M
All-Time Sales
$50K - $360K
Price Range
8%
Negotiated Off List
Top AgentReviews not yet available
Kimberly Boyle
Cove Realty
15 Years of experience
79+ Sales in the last 12 months
$97.4M
All-Time Sales
$220K - $740K
Price Range
5%
Negotiated Off List
Top Agent$40.1M
All-Time Sales
$180K - $1.1M
Price Range
7%
Negotiated Off List
Top 0.8%
in Salem, IL
94
Sold in Salem, IL
2012
Year Licensed
Top 1.2%
in Salem, IL
89
Sold in Salem, IL
2013
Year Licensed
Top 1.6%
in Salem, IL
75
Sold in Salem, IL
2017
Year Licensed
Top 2.4%
in Salem, IL
16
Sold in Salem, IL
Salem Housing Market Trends
Homes in Salem take a median 37 days to sell, go for 98.51% of asking, prices are up 28.4% from a year ago. Verified MLS market data through September 2026.
Market temperature
Seller's market
2.5 months of supply. Under 3 favors sellers, over 6 favors buyers.
What homes sell for
$179,814
median sale price
How fast they sell
37 days
median time on market
Supply and competition
2.5 months
of supply on the market
The numbers speak
for Salem.
Every agent above earned their place with closed sales, not advertising. Tell us about your home and our algorithm picks the Salem agents whose results fit it.
Salem agents analyzed for these rankings
days faster: top-ranked agents sell in 29 days, the Salem market in 37
median sale price in Salem
Do Top Salem Agents Sell Faster?
The 8 top-ranked agents on EffectiveAgents in Salem sell in a median of 29 days, compared with the Salem market median of 37 days on market.
About 8 days faster (22% quicker than the Salem market)
Median days to sale reported by the top-ranked Salem agents on EffectiveAgents, compared with the Salem market median days on market. Agent figures reflect each agent's reported sales history.
When Is the Best Time to Sell a House in Salem?
Based on the last 24 months of verified MLS market data, homes in Salem sell fastest and closest to asking when they go under contract in June. To hit that window, plan to list around May.
Median days on market by month (shorter is faster)
June
Best month to sell
44 days
Typical time on market
98.7%
Of asking price
Seasonal averages from the last 24 months of Salem, IL sales. Individual results vary with price, condition, and how the broader market moves. A local agent can pinpoint the right timing for your home.
What These Numbers Mean for Salem Buyers and Sellers
The Housing Market Trends module above shows a Salem market where supply remains thin, with just 2.5 months of inventory and 20 active listings against 8 homes sold and 22 pending sales in the latest month. A supply reading under three months typically favors sellers, and that pressure is visible in the sale-to-list ratio of 98.51% and the 45.0% of homes that go off the market within two weeks. At the same time, the signals are mixed enough to reward careful strategy from both sides.
For buyers, the leverage points are measurable. Only 33.3% of homes sold above asking, and 30.5% of listings recorded a price cut, which means a meaningful share of sellers are adjusting expectations. Properties that sit past the median of 37 days are the clearest openings for a measured offer below list, especially where the price per square foot drifts above the local median of $95.2. Fast-moving, well-priced homes still clear quickly, so pacing matters.
For sellers, pricing to the $179,814 benchmark rather than reaching above it is what captures the two-week window. With median prices moving +28.4% year over year, the market is not supporting aggressive list premiums, and overpricing invites one of the price drops that depress final terms. Working through the data with one of the 250 licensed agents active in Salem, and specifically the subset verified by EffectiveAgents, helps both buyers and sellers translate these indicators into offer and listing decisions grounded in Salem conditions rather than headlines.
What Salem Home Prices Mean for You
Understanding the true cost of homeownership in Salem goes beyond the listing price. These calculators break down what today's market conditions mean for your budget, your timeline, and your negotiating position.
| Median home price | $179,814 |
| Down payment (20%) | $35,963 |
| Loan amount | $143,851 |
| Monthly payment (PITI) | $1,421 |
Based on 28% debt-to-income ratio, 7.18% mortgage rate (as of November 5, 2026), 30-year fixed loan, 1.15% property tax rate, $275/mo insurance. Actual requirements vary by lender.
Based on $179,814 median home price with 20% down at 7.18% (as of November 5, 2026) for 30 years. Property tax estimated at 1.15% of home value.
Year-over-year data reflects the most recent rolling period from Salem MLS records. Prior year values calculated from current figures and published YoY changes.
What to Look for in a Salem Realtor
Choosing an agent on name recognition alone overlooks what actually determines outcomes: transaction depth, negotiation results, and consistent client feedback. EffectiveAgents ranks the 20 top performers out of 250 licensed agents in Salem using verified sales data rather than advertising spend. The top-ranked agent, Kristine Nalley of Fayette County Real Estate, has closed 541 transactions and $55.9M in all-time sales volume, a track record that signals experience across varied price points and property types in the 62881 area. That volume matters at the negotiating table: with only 33.3% of homes selling above list and 30.5% seeing price reductions, an agent who reads the data can defend a seller's price or find a buyer's opening in homes that linger past 37 days. Review patterns are equally telling. Eighteen documented reviews provide a consistency check on how an agent performs across many clients, not a single favorable transaction. When comparing candidates, weigh transaction count, review depth, and local familiarity together rather than relying on any one figure.
How We Rank Salem Real Estate Agents
Our rankings are built from verified MLS transaction data, not advertising spend. For every agent we analyze more than fifteen performance signals, including sales volume in your city and zip code, recent and all-time transactions, days on market, negotiation results (how far above or below list price an agent's clients actually close), price-point fit, and verified reviews. The agents shown first are those whose verified results put them at the top of the Salem market today.
Agents cannot pay for placement in these rankings. The underlying data refreshes as new closed transactions are reported, so rankings shift with real market performance. Learn how we rank agents.
250
agents analyzed
15+
performance signals
$0
paid for placement
Rankings reviewed by Kevin Stuteville, Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker (License BK3068131), Founder of EffectiveAgents.
Data last updated: September 2026
Salem Real Estate Agent FAQs
Who is the best real estate agent in Salem, IL?
The highest-ranked agent in Salem, IL by verified performance is Kristine Nalley of Fayette County Real Estate, with 541 closed transactions, 18 client reviews, and $55.9M in all-time sales volume. EffectiveAgents identifies top agents by analyzing 93 transactions and measuring actual sales results, review consistency, and local activity rather than name recognition or marketing budgets. Of the 250 licensed agents in the area, only 20 meet the ranking threshold. The right fit still depends on your specific property type, price range, and timeline.
How were these Salem real estate agents ranked?
Rankings are built from verified MLS transaction data. We analyze more than fifteen performance signals for every agent, including sales volume in your city and zip code, recent and all-time transactions, days on market, negotiation results, price-point fit, and verified reviews. Agents cannot pay for placement.
How many real estate agents are in Salem?
Our data covers 250 real estate agents serving the Salem area. The count represents agents with transaction activity recorded in our Salem market data, not simply everyone holding a license.
What does the median sale price in Salem mean for sellers?
Salem's median sale price is $179,814 as of September 2026. Half of recent sales closed above that figure and half below. It is a useful baseline for understanding the market, but an experienced local agent will price your home against comparable recent sales in your neighborhood, not the citywide median.
How long does it take to sell a house in Salem?
The median home in Salem currently sells in about 37 days, and that figure reflects a -24 days change in market time versus a year ago, so plan for a longer marketing window than recent seasons. Your actual timeline depends on pricing relative to the $179,814 benchmark, condition, and location within the 62881 zip. Well-priced homes still move fast, with 45.0% going off the market within two weeks, while overpriced listings often require a cut, since 30.5% of listings recorded one.
Does it cost anything to use EffectiveAgents?
No. EffectiveAgents is free for home buyers and sellers, with no obligation to work with any agent we match you with.
Do agents pay to be ranked or featured?
No. Agents cannot pay for placement anywhere in these rankings. Positions are earned from verified transaction performance only.
What commission do Salem realtors charge?
Commissions are negotiable and vary by agent, service level, and transaction. There is no set rate, and recent industry changes have made commission structures more flexible than ever. Discuss the structure directly with your agent before signing a listing or buyer agreement.
Should I use a local Salem agent or a national brand?
The individual agent matters more than the brand on the sign. Offices within the same national franchise vary widely in performance, and the agent you hire, not the logo, prices your home, negotiates your contract, and manages your closing. A strong local agent brings firsthand knowledge of Salem neighborhoods, pricing patterns, and buyer activity. Compare agents on verified local results such as recent sales, days on market, and negotiation outcomes rather than name recognition.
What questions should I ask a Salem realtor before hiring them?
Ask how many homes they have closed in Salem in the past year, what their average sale-to-list ratio is, and how much of their business is in your neighborhood and price range. Ask how they will market your home or find you listings, and how often they will communicate. Strong agents answer with specifics. Verified transaction data is the fastest way to confirm what you hear.
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