Weekly Market Report

📊 Big Picture

The Chicago North Shore and North Suburbs market started 2026 with clear separation between the most competitive towns and the more patient, upper-tier markets.
Some suburbs tightened further, some cooled, and a few surprised us with renewed strength.

Inventory is extremely tight in key areas, demand remains selective but real, and the Market Action Index (MAI) shifts this week confirm what we’ve been watching since November:
this is a precision market — not a momentum market.

Where you price and how you position a home matter more than ever.

📈 Suburban Trends

Mid-Priced Suburbs — Still the Most Competitive

Buffalo Grove
• MAI increased to 58 (from 55 last month)
• Inventory dropped to 10 homes (from 15 in our last report)
• Median list price is now $498,450 (down from the mid-$530s)

Despite slight price softening, Buffalo Grove remains one of the strongest sellers’ markets in the entire North Suburbs. Low inventory is driving activity, and homes that show well are still moving quickly.

Deerfield
• MAI slipped slightly to 43 (from 44)
• Inventory tightened to 15 homes (from 18 last report)
• Median list price is $799,000 (essentially flat)

Deerfield continues to operate as a micro hot market. Even with a small MAI dip, shrinking inventory is keeping pressure on buyers.

📌 Takeaway:
These two towns remain the most competitive environments for buyers. Sellers here still hold strong leverage.

Balanced Markets — Tightening with Selective Demand

Highland Park
• MAI increased to 42 (from 41)
• Inventory dropped sharply to 19 homes (from 34 last report)
• Median list price is $1,295,000 (up from ~$1.22M)

This is a meaningful shift. Highland Park inventory was cut almost in half week-over-week, which is already strengthening the seller position.

Northbrook
• MAI eased to 34 (from 39)
• Inventory decreased to 30 homes (from 33)
• Median list price is $1,662,500 (down from ~$1.75M)

Northbrook is showing more balance and buyer selectivity. Still a seller’s market, but momentum has cooled.

📌 Takeaway:
Highland Park is quietly firming. Northbrook is becoming more strategic and price-sensitive.

Upper-Tier & Luxury — A Tale of Two Markets

Glencoe
• MAI dropped to 28 (from 34) — now technically a Buyer’s Market
• Inventory is 12 homes (flat)
• Median list price jumped to $3.44M (from ~$3.0M)

This is an important nuance: Glencoe’s MAI is cooling, but prices are rising due to higher-quality, larger homes hitting the market. This is not demand-driven appreciation — it’s mix-driven.

Lake Forest
• MAI increased to 35 (from 33)
• Inventory dropped to 29 homes (from 43 last report)
• Median list price is $2.55M (up from ~$1.95M)

Lake Forest quietly strengthened this week. Less inventory and rising prices signal renewed seller leverage.

📌 Takeaway:
Glencoe is cooling in demand but rising in price due to quality.
Lake Forest is tightening and strengthening.

Luxury Standouts — Winnetka & Wilmette

Winnetka
• MAI held strong at 46
• Inventory dropped to just 7 homes
• Median list price is $2.739M

Winnetka remains one of the tightest luxury markets on the North Shore. Demand is outpacing supply.

Wilmette
• MAI is still extremely high at 59 (down slightly from 62)
• Inventory is just 7 homes
• Median list price is $1.695M

Wilmette continues to be a power market. Even with a small MAI pullback, this remains one of the most competitive suburbs in the region.

📌 Takeaway:
Both towns are operating in true seller’s market conditions with almost no excess inventory.

💡 Key Insights

• Overall Market Tone: Still seller-favored, but with widening gaps between towns
• Inventory: Extremely low in Winnetka, Wilmette, Highland Park, Buffalo Grove, and Deerfield
• Buyers: Best opportunities are in Glencoe and Northbrook
• Sellers: Strongest leverage is in Buffalo Grove, Wilmette, Winnetka, and now Highland Park

🔍 This Week’s Quick Stats

 📈Mortgage Rates

Mortgage rates are down a full percentage point since last year - hovering around 6.25% for a 30-year conventional mortgage. Rates can fluctuate based on your personal situation. Compared to buying in January of last year, you can save more than $330 a month and almost $120k over the life of your loan.

🧭 Final Thoughts

This week made one thing very clear:
The North Shore and North Suburbs are no longer moving as one market. Some towns are tightening, some are cooling, some are quietly strengthening — and that’s exactly why hyper-local data matters more than ever.

For sellers, pricing to today’s buyer psychology is critical.
For buyers, knowing which towns are softening is your advantage.

As always — stay informed, stay strategic, and Be Wise About the Market.