On the supply side, the better half of 2025 was defined by a steady increase in inventory, with levels finally surpassing pre-pandemic benchmarks. This trend has carried directly into the new year; as of January 2026, we are +1.4% over January 2025. This is not a sign of a cooling market, but rather a “Goldilocks” stabilization.
It has moved us into a more predictable transaction landscape, a hallmark of the Chicago market, where well-priced, strategically staged homes average just 12 to 18 days to contract. For buyers, this increase in inventory has provided a crucial advantage: more time for due diligence without the frantic “correction frenzy” of previous years.
The underlying health of the market is best summarized by transaction volume. According to MRED, closed sales at the end of 2025 were up 9.3% YoY. This robust activity has led directly into a 2.2% year-over-year increase in average sales price as we begin the first quarter of 2026.
Overall, the metropolitan area has settled into a competitive but sustainable rhythm. These balanced conditions reward strategic action over speculation. Whether you are looking to capitalize on built-up equity or are searching for a stable environment for your next home, the Chicagoland market remains poised for continued stability.
If you’re considering selling a home or buying a home in the coming months, now is an excellent time to reach out. I am here to provide hyper-local insight, data-driven strategies, and deep market knowledge to help you succeed in the Chicagoland market.
View quarterly Chicago real estate market reports from Compass
Chicago Real Estate Market Report
I am pleased to share the Q4 2025 Market Report for the Chicagoland area below.
The final quarter of 2025 has concluded, and while various “high-growth” boom markets across the country spent the year grappling with price stagnation and correction, the stalwart Chicagoland market demonstrated a profound, quiet resilience. As we analyze the Q4 data at the start of 2026, it is clear that Chicago has avoided the volatility of its coastal and Sunbelt peers by leaning into its fundamental economic strengths.
The most compelling evidence of this stability is found in the City of Chicago itself. While tech-centric cities continue to grapple with the structural shifts of remote work, Chicago’s diversified economy, anchored in finance, law, and medicine, has fostered a robust “return-to-office” culture. This is the primary engine fueling demand in transit-friendly neighborhoods like the West Loop, Lincoln Park, and Lakeview. This movement towards balance is also reflected in our Metra-attached communities and beyond due to our easy transit connections and town square communities surrounding the city-at-large.
The results are quantifiable: detached single-family homes experienced an impressive 8.5% year-over year increase in median sales price during the final quarter of 2025. The attached market (condos and townhomes) followed suit with a significant 7.9% rise. This urban confidence has, in turn, supported a mature suburban landscape where median prices rose consistently between 4.0% and 6.5%, depending on the school district.
