How The Tully Team Keeps Downers Grove Sellers Informed

Why do home sellers feel out of the loop with their listing agent?

Poor communication is the most documented complaint sellers have about their agents. Research from the National Association of REALTORS® consistently identifies "lack of communication" and "slow responses" as top grievances, sellers report not hearing about showing feedback, not knowing when offers are reviewed, and feeling like they have to chase their agent for updates. In a DuPage County market where the median sale price reached $448,499 in August 2026 and homes are selling close to asking price, that silence isn't just frustrating. It's expensive.

Key Takeaways

• DuPage County's median sale price hit $448,499 in August 2026, up 4.8% year over year, according to Redfin's August 2026 market report, in a market this competitive, communication delays can mean missing full-price or above-asking offers.
• Median days on market in DuPage County reached 51 days in August 2026, up 4 days from the prior year, meaning sellers need consistent market updates across a longer timeline than they might expect.
• New listings in DuPage County jumped 14.3% year over year in August 2026, so sellers face more competition and need timely updates on nearby price changes and new listings.
• According to the Zillow 2025 Consumer Housing Trends Report for Agents, 53% of consumers prefer to communicate with their agent via text or messaging apps, The Tully Team meets sellers on whatever channel works best for them.
• The Tully Team builds communication expectations into the listing process from day one, including preferred channels, update frequency, and a dedicated point of contact for every seller.

What does poor agent communication actually cost a Downers Grove seller?

The short answer: potentially thousands of dollars and weeks of unnecessary stress.

DuPage County's list-to-sale price ratio has been hovering around 100% in 2026, according to Realtor.com's DuPage County market data. That means homes are regularly selling at or above asking price. When an offer comes in and the seller's agent takes hours to relay it, or worse, doesn't explain the terms clearly, that window can close. Buyers move on. The moment passes.

Beyond offers, the communication gap shows up in subtler ways. Sellers don't hear what buyers said after showings. They don't know that two similar homes just listed nearby at a lower price. They don't find out until it's too late that their home has been sitting while the market shifted around it.

This is exactly the kind of thing I walk my sellers through before we even put the sign in the yard. The conversation about how we'll communicate isn't a formality, it's part of the strategy.

The DuPage County market context makes this more urgent, not less

Active listings in DuPage County rose 11.4% year over year in August 2026, pushing months of supply to about 2.5, per Redfin's August 2026 update. That's still a seller's market, but it's a more competitive one than a year ago. Sellers in Downers Grove are now competing with inventory in Naperville, Lombard, and Oak Brook. A week without a clear strategy conversation can mean falling behind.

Earlier in 2026, the picture was even sharper. June 2026 data from Redfin showed a median sale price of approximately $477,652, up 8.6% year over year. July 2026 came in at around $459,153, up 6.8% year over year. Both figures outpaced national price growth by a wide margin. The market has rewarded well-priced, well-marketed homes, and penalized listings where the seller and agent weren't in sync.

Month (2026) DuPage County Median Sale Price Year-Over-Year Change June 2026 $477,652 +8.6% July 2026 $459,153 +6.8% August 2026 $448,499 +4.8%

Source: Redfin DuPage County market reports, June–August 2026

How The Tully Team's communication system actually works

We don't leave communication to chance or good intentions. Here's what sellers get from the moment they sign with us.

We set expectations before the listing goes live

At the first consultation, I ask every seller how they want to hear from us. Text, email, phone, or a combination, we work around your schedule, not ours. The Zillow 2025 Consumer Housing Trends Report for Agents found that 53% of consumers prefer text or messaging apps over phone calls. We've adapted to that reality. Most of our sellers are on a group text thread that includes me, our listing coordinator, and any team member who needs to be in the loop.

We also talk explicitly about frequency. You'll hear from us on a set schedule, not just when something happens. That scheduled rhythm is what separates a proactive communication system from an agent who only calls when there's an offer.

Under Illinois DFPR licensing standards and the NAR Code of Ethics, REALTORS® owe clients a duty of reasonable care and prompt disclosure. We treat that as a floor, not a ceiling.

Weekly market check-ins, not just showing alerts

Every week your home is listed, you get a structured update from us. That update covers:

• Showing activity for the week, how many, when, and from which buyer profiles
• Feedback from buyer agents after showings (every piece we can get)
• New competing listings in Downers Grove and nearby submarkets that could affect your positioning
• Any price reductions or status changes on comparable homes
• A plain-language read on where we stand and whether anything needs to change

With median days on market at 51 days in DuPage County as of August 2026, sellers are navigating a longer timeline than the "sold in a weekend" stories suggest. A lot can shift in seven days. You deserve to know about it.

If you're weighing whether to reduce your price or hold steady, that weekly context is what makes the decision clear. I've written about why low inventory doesn't justify overpricing, and the same logic applies here. You need current data, not assumptions, to price confidently.

Real-time alerts when it matters most

Scheduled updates handle the steady rhythm. Real-time alerts handle the moments where timing is everything.

When an offer comes in, you hear from us the same day, period. We walk through the terms together before you respond to anything. When a showing is requested, you get notified immediately so you can plan. When a nearby home drops its price or goes under contract, we flag it because it affects your competitive position.

With DuPage County's list-to-sale ratio at or above 100%, a delayed response to a strong offer is a real risk. We've built the team structure specifically so that no message sits unanswered while a buyer's agent is waiting.

How The Tully Team supports better communication

One of the advantages of working with The Tully Team is that communication is treated as a shared responsibility, not something that gets passed off to one person. Each team member is expected to respond promptly to the clients they are working with, and our goal is to acknowledge calls, texts, and emails within one hour, with only a few reasonable exceptions, such as when we are actively with another client and cannot be interrupted. If a question requires research or additional information, we let the client know we received the message and then follow up once we have a complete and accurate response.

For homeowners who are deciding between working with a solo agent or a real estate team, we recently published a separate article explaining the differences. We also created a video comparing solo agents and real estate teams for homeowners who prefer to watch rather than read.

Our staging specialist, Cindy Zaeske, is also part of the pre-listing conversation. Getting the home show-ready is part of the same preparation that sets the stage for strong showing feedback, which, in turn, gives us better data to share with you each week. If you're curious about what that prep looks like, our post on staging older Downers Grove homes for today's buyers walks through the approach.

Professional standards matter, but just as important is making sure clients know what they can expect from us. At the beginning of the listing process, we explain our communication approach, including our goal of acknowledging calls, texts, and emails within one hour, with only a few reasonable exceptions. That way, sellers understand how we communicate, what kind of updates they will receive, and how we will keep them informed throughout the sale.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should my agent update me on showings and feedback when I'm selling in Downers Grove?

After every showing, we vigorously attempt to obtain feedback from the buyer’s agent and communicate that feedback to our seller as soon as we receive it. We send multiple online feedback requests, and if those go unanswered, we follow up by phone. We cannot force another agent to respond, but we make a consistent effort because buyer feedback can provide valuable insight into how the home is being perceived in the market.

In addition to showing feedback, our sellers receive regular updates about overall activity, market response, and marketing performance so they have a clear understanding of what is happening with their listing and what we recommend doing next.

Is it normal that my listing agent doesn't tell me what buyers say after showings?

It shouldn't be normal, but it happens more than it should. Buyer feedback after showings is some of the most valuable data a seller can have, it tells you whether your pricing, presentation, or marketing needs to adjust. A good listing agent actively collects that feedback from buyer agents and relays it to you promptly. If you're not hearing it, ask your agent directly to make it a standard part of every showing follow-up.

How do I make sure I don't miss a great offer because of slow communication in a fast DuPage County market?

The key is making sure your agent has a clear process for communicating offers quickly and keeping you informed as soon as something important comes in. When we receive an offer, we notify our seller promptly, review the terms carefully, and help them understand the strengths, weaknesses, and any issues that may need attention before they respond.

Our goal is to keep communication moving so a strong buyer is not left waiting unnecessarily for a response. We also discuss in advance the best way to reach each seller, whether by phone, text, or email, so we can respond efficiently when timing matters.

What communication expectations should I put in writing with my listing agent in Downers Grove?

You do not necessarily need to put communication expectations into the listing agreement. What matters most is that they are discussed clearly during the initial consultation so you understand how your agent communicates and what you can expect throughout the sale.

That conversation should cover preferred communication methods, how quickly calls, texts, and emails are acknowledged, how showing feedback is handled, how offers are communicated, and how often you will receive broader updates about listing activity and marketing performance.

Communication needs can also change during the listing. If something is not working or a seller wants more or less frequent communication, those expectations should be revisited and adjusted as needed.

Can I ask my agent to text me every time there's a new showing or a change in the market near my home?

Yes. This is something The Tully Team addresses during the listing consultation and builds into our process for seller clients. We set up alerts for the seller’s own neighborhood so they can see new listings, price changes, properties going under contract, and recent sales that could affect how their home is positioned in the market.

These updates help sellers stay aware of changes that may strengthen or weaken their home’s competitive position. We also explain what those changes mean and whether we believe they should affect pricing, marketing, or overall strategy.

Selling your home in Downers Grove is a significant financial event, and you deserve to be informed at every step, not just when your agent gets around to it. The Tully Team's communication system exists specifically to close that gap: scheduled weekly updates, real-time alerts, and a team structure that means someone is always available when you need an answer.

If you're thinking about listing in Downers Grove or anywhere in DuPage County like Westmont, Woodridge, Willowbrook, or Lisle, and want to see exactly what working with a proactive team looks like, schedule a consultation with The Tully Team and let's talk through your timeline and goals.

About Shanon Tully

Shanon Tully is a broker and team leader with The Tully Team at Platinum Partners REALTORS®, serving Downers Grove, DuPage County, and greater Chicagoland. Licensed since 2014, she has closed 145+ transactions and surpassed $52M in career sales with a client-first, concierge-level approach.

Platinum Partners Realtors 630.435.3585

Equal Housing Opportunity. Shanon Tully is a licensed Illinois broker; Faith Rosenshein Young is a licensed Illinois broker and Cynthia (Cindy) Zaeske, Staging & Home Restyling Specialist. Licensed and regulated by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). This article is general information only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice, confirm your specific numbers and transaction details with your closing agent, tax advisor, or lender.