Week of February 24, 2026 -- Data sourced from Altos Research. Updated every Tuesday.
Be Wise About the Market
Every week, we break down what the data is actually saying — not the headlines, not the noise. The North Shore/North Suburban market rarely moves in one direction at once. Some segments heat up. Others cool quietly. Leverage shifts subtly before it becomes obvious. The advantage goes to the informed. Here’s what changed this week.
The Big Picture
The overall market remains seller-leaning, but this is not a runaway market. It’s segmented. Under $900K, competition remains strong. Between $1M–$2M, pricing discipline determines outcomes, however competition is higher up to $1.5M. Above $2.5M, patience creates leverage, however people are looking in this range as well. Inventory is forming, but unevenly. And that unevenness is where strategy matters most.
Tightest Markets Right Now
Wilmette — Market Action Index (MAI) 61 | Median Day on Market (DOM): 7
Wilmette remains the most competitive market in the region. Homes are moving quickly and pricing has not softened. When inventory is absorbed in a week, leverage is clear.
Buffalo Grove — MAI 57 | Median DOM: 7
Still velocity-driven. Strong seller conditions persist under $600K. Affordability keeps demand consistent.
Winnetka — MAI 50 | Inventory: 12
Seller-leaning, but not uniform. A+ homes move fast. Others require sharper positioning.
Be Wise Insight: Strong markets still punish overpricing.
Firm but More Balanced
Deerfield — MAI 48 | Inventory: 16
Mid-priced strength continues, especially under $900K. Inventory is tight enough for sellers to maintain leverage, but not tight enough to ignore the right pricing strategy.
Glenview — MAI 45 | Inventory: 28
Active market, but buyers are comparison shopping. Strong seller classification does not equal bidding wars in all cases.
Highland Park — MAI 45 | Median DOM: 74
Seller-leaning overall, but segmentation is visible. $500K - $1.5M are very competitive and attractive houses are getting multiple offers. Upper-tier homes are taking longer to move.
Be Wise Insight: Seller advantage does not mean automatic speed. Buyers prepare for multiple offer situations, especially the homes attractive to first-time buyers.
Where Leverage Is Shifting
Northbrook — MAI 36 | Inventory: 32
More inventory here creates negotiation some space. Buyers have options, especially above $1.3M.
Lake Forest — MAI 36 | Median DOM: 147
Luxury remains deliberate. Time on market is leverage. Sellers need preparation and precision.
Glencoe — MAI 33 | Median DOM: 105
Low inventory, but higher price points require patience. This is a selective buyer environment.
Be Wise Insight: In upper luxury, time becomes a negotiating tool.
What This Means for Sellers
- Under $900K → Competitive, but sellers need to price correctly at launch. First-time buyers will compete for attractive houses.
- $1M–$2M → Home condition and seller pricing alignment are critical. Best to price to attract multiple offer scenarios vs. over-pricing the home and risk an increase in DOM.
- $2.5M+ → Preparation determines negotiation strength.
What This Means for Buyers
- Entry and mid-tier homes require decisiveness and a willingness to be in multiple offer situations. Creative strategies can have major impacts.
- Mid-range requires analysis. Is it the home you want at that price.
- Luxury rewards patience and negotiation discipline.
- Inventory remains constrained — but not frictionless.
Clean Takeaways This Week
- Wilmette remains the tightest market in the region.
- Buffalo Grove and Winnetka continue strong seller conditions.
- Glenview, Deerfield and Highland Park show strength with visible segmentation. The $500K - $1.5M segment is very competitive
- Northbrook, Lake Forest, and Glencoe offer some more buyer leverage — particularly in higher price tiers.
- Inventory is rising modestly in some areas, but not enough to change overall tone.
- Be Wise About the Market - Things change week to week, and that’s why we look at the data every Tuesday.
