Selling a house in River Grove, IL: what the city requires
Cook County, Illinois · Last checked November 2026
River Grove requires a municipal inspection before it issues transfer stamps. Stamp cost is the inspection cost, based on property type.
What River Grove requires
Village inspection before transfer stamps
- Who does it
- Village or city building department. The seller schedules it.
- Deadline
- The village will not issue transfer stamps or a compliance certificate until it is done, and the deed cannot be recorded without them.
- Stamp cost is the inspection cost, based on property type.
- Apply for inspection at time of listing.
- Inspection/Transfer form available online.
- Schedule inspection 2 days before closing.
Who to call
Village of River Grove
708-453-8000
Official page
Housing in River Grove
- Median year homes were built
- 1963
- Median home value
- $241,800
- Owner-occupied homes
- 2,332 of 4,196 (56%)
- Total housing units
- 4,573
Homes here are typically from 1963 or later, so inspections tend to focus on safety items like smoke and CO alarms, GFCI outlets and handrails.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for River Grove village, Illinois.
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How the illinois transfer stamp and village inspection process works
Many Chicago-area villages will not sell you the municipal transfer stamp needed to record the deed until the seller pays final water bills and, in a long list of towns, passes a village inspection. Some inspect the whole house, others only the sewer, sump pump or sidewalk.
- Check the village website or call the clerk as soon as you list. Some villages want the inspection before you put up a sign or hold an open house.
- Pay the inspection fee and schedule it, often 2 to 4 weeks before closing.
- Fix the items on the report and pass a reinspection, or ask whether the buyer can sign an as-is or compliance agreement, sometimes with an escrow or bond.
- Order the final water reading, pay village debts, and buy the transfer stamp before closing.
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Village inspection fee | $0 to $350 |
| Municipal transfer tax | Up to $10 per $1,000 of price in some towns |
| Typical repair list | $200 to $5,000 |
Read the full illinois transfer stamp and village inspection guide
Other towns with the same requirement: Municipal transfer tax
If the house fails
You can repair before closing, use an escrow or extension where the city allows it, let the buyer assume the work for a credit, or sell as-is. Compare the options.
Frequently asked questions
What does River Grove require before I sell my house?
River Grove requires a municipal inspection before it issues transfer stamps. Stamp cost is the inspection cost, based on property type.
What if my house fails?
You can make the repairs before closing, negotiate a credit with the buyer, or sell as-is to a buyer who will handle the work. Ask the municipality whether it allows a buyer to assume the work or an escrow.
Who pays, the buyer or the seller?
The ordinance usually makes the seller responsible for ordering it, but who pays for repairs is negotiable in the purchase agreement.
How old are the homes in River Grove?
The median home in River Grove was built in 1963, and the median home value is $241,800, according to the Census Bureau's 2020-2024 American Community Survey.
Nearby: Chicago area
- Palos Hills Required at sale
- Park Forest Required at sale
- Park Ridge Required in some cases
- Posen Required at sale
- Richton Park Required at sale
- River Forest Required at sale
- Riverdale Required at sale
- Riverside Required at sale
- Robbins Required at sale
- Rosemont No point-of-sale rule
- Sauk Village Required at sale
- Schaumburg No point-of-sale rule
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Sources
- First American / Saturn Title, Illinois transfer stamp requirement listing (rev. Nov. 25, 2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates (tables B25035, B25077, B25003, B25001)
Last checked November 2026. Rules and fees change by ordinance and resolution. Confirm with the municipality before you list. See something out of date? Report a change.