Lyn Wise Group · North Shore Market Intelligence Data: Altos Research · Single Family Homes · lynwisegroup.com · (312) 860-7294
WHAT IS THE MARKET ACTION INDEX?
MAI tells us if the market is getting more or less competitive, and who it favors, buyers or sellers. Above 30, sellers have the advantage. Below 30, buyers have the advantage. As always, when we call something an improvement, we'll say for whom.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS WEEK
Deerfield just got downgraded. After weeks as a Strong Seller's Market, it's now classified Slight Seller's Advantage, its first classification change in this entire series. Northbrook is now six straight weeks into a steady MAI decline, from 71 down to 55, the longest sustained trend we've tracked anywhere.
Not all the news points the same direction. Highland Park's relist rate held at 38% this week, proof that its big correction two weeks ago actually stuck. And Lake Forest quietly posted the strongest single tier we've seen all summer, its $1.8M segment absorbed six homes against just one new listing.
NORTHBROOK · IL 60062 MAI 55 · Strong Seller's Market · Inventory: 40 · Median DOM: 53 days
Six weeks running now, from 71 to 68 to 65 to 63 to 60 and now 55. Median list price itself dropped this week too, the first real sign that price is starting to follow the trend rather than just lagging behind it.
For sellers, the softening has gone on long enough that pricing to the current data matters more than ever. For buyers, this remains the most consistent, lowest pressure market on the North Shore right now.
HIGHLAND PARK · IL 60035 MAI 51 · Strong Seller's Market · Inventory: 40 · Median DOM: 53 days
The relist rate held steady at 38%, meaning the sharp correction from two weeks ago actually stuck this time. That's meaningfully different from the pattern we've seen elsewhere, where a good week sometimes reverses right back.
For sellers, this is real, durable progress worth building on. For buyers, the easiest leverage has passed, though there's still room in the upper mid tier where three homes were just absorbed.
DEERFIELD · IL 60015 MAI 43 · Slight Seller's Advantage, downgraded from Strong Seller's Market · Inventory: 38 · Median DOM: 70 days
First classification downgrade we've seen here. Relist rate held at 47%, still elevated, and the top tier had zero new listings and zero sales again. On the other hand, price increases showed up for the first time in the data, at 11%, a signal some sellers are still finding room to push.
For sellers, especially above $1M, this is a market asking for patience and sharp pricing. For buyers, genuine leverage just opened up here for the first time in weeks.
GLENCOE · IL 60022 MAI 41 · Slight Seller's Advantage · Inventory: 21 · Median DOM: 77 days
Second straight week of near total stillness. Three of four tiers had zero new listings and zero sales again. Relist rate climbed further, to 43%.
For sellers, this remains a market that rewards real patience. For buyers, there's still essentially no competition to worry about.
LAKE FOREST · IL 60045 MAI 36 · Slight Seller's Advantage · Inventory: 42 · Median DOM: 46 days
The standout numbers this week. The $1.8M tier absorbed six homes against just one new listing; the strongest single tier ratio we've tracked anywhere this series. Median days on market also improved sharply, from 63 to 46.
For sellers in that range, demand is genuinely outpacing supply right now. For buyers, that specific tier has real competition, even as the broader market stays favorable elsewhere.
MORTGAGE UPDATE
The 30-year fixed rate is holding in the mid 6% range this week, around 6.6% to 6.7% depending on the survey, essentially flat and down slightly from recent weeks. For both buyers and sellers, rates remain calm enough to plan around.
FINAL THOUGHTS
For sellers, Highland Park proved a correction can hold, and Lake Forest's mid-tier shows real demand still exists at the right price. Deerfield and Glencoe are both asking for patience right now.
For buyers, Deerfield's downgrade and Glencoe's continued stillness are this week's biggest openings. Northbrook remains the most consistent, lowest pressure option.
Getting Wise About the Market. 🏡 The Lyn Wise Group is here. Reach out directly.
Lyn Wise Group | www.lynwisegroup.com | (312) 860-7294 Data sourced from Altos Research. Updated every Tuesday.
