🏡 North Shore/North Suburban Weekly Report
Week of January 20, 2026
(Data sourced from Altos Research, updated every Tuesday)
📊 Big Picture
This week reinforced a trend we’ve been seeing all winter: the North Shore and North Suburbs are behaving like multiple different markets, not one. Mid-priced suburbs remain the most competitive, while upper-tier and luxury markets continue to reward patience. Inventory tightened again in several key towns, keeping sellers in control — but buyers are clearly becoming more selective. Compared to last week, the biggest changes showed up in inventory movement and Market Action Index (MAI) rather than pricing alone.
📈 Suburban Trends
Mid-Priced Suburbs — Still Leading the Market
Buffalo Grove
• MAI: 57 (down slightly from 59 last week)
• Inventory: 7 homes (down from 10)
• Median List Price: $505K (up slightly)
Buffalo Grove remains one of the most competitive markets in the North Suburbs. Even with a small MAI dip, the sharp inventory decline is keeping buyer pressure high.
Deerfield
• MAI: 43 (unchanged week-over-week)
• Inventory: 14 homes (down from 15)
• Median List Price: $1.124M (up due to higher-end listings)
Deerfield continues to operate as a consistent seller’s market. Inventory remains extremely tight, and well-priced homes are still moving quickly.
Glenview
• MAI: 45 (down from 48)
• Inventory: 25 homes (down from last week)
• Median List Price: $983K
Glenview is still firmly in strong seller territory, but momentum has cooled slightly. Buyers are active, but price sensitivity is increasing — especially above $1M.
📌 Takeaway:
Buffalo Grove, Deerfield, and Glenview remain the most competitive environments for buyers, though Glenview is showing early signs of normalization.
Balanced Markets — Firm but Selective
Highland Park
• MAI: 41 (up from 39 last month)
• Inventory: 22 homes (down from 34 in prior report)
• Median List Price: $1.199M
This is a meaningful shift. Highland Park inventory tightened notably, and buyer activity strengthened modestly. Sellers are gaining leverage again.
Northbrook
• MAI: 36 (down from 39 last week)
• Inventory: 29 homes (down from 30)
• Median List Price: $1.749M
Northbrook cooled slightly this week. Still seller-leaning, but buyers have more negotiating room here than in nearby suburbs.
Upper-Tier & Luxury — Slower, More Deliberate
Glencoe
• MAI: 27 (down from 28)
• Inventory: 14 homes (up from 12)
• Median List Price: $3.295M
Glencoe is now clearly a buyer-leaning market by MAI, even as prices rise due to higher-quality inventory. Longer days on market are becoming more common.
Lake Forest
• MAI: 34 (down slightly from 35)
• Inventory: 29 homes (flat week-over-week)
• Median List Price: $2.399M
Lake Forest remains stable but slow. Inventory is low, but buyers are deliberate and price-conscious.
Luxury Standouts — Tight Supply Still Matters
Wilmette
• MAI: 56 (down from 59)
• Inventory: 8 homes
• Median List Price: $1.795M
Still a strong seller’s market, though buyer urgency has cooled slightly.
Winnetka
• MAI: 49 (up from 46)
• Inventory: 11 homes
• Median List Price: $1.995M
Winnetka strengthened this week, with improved absorption despite higher price points.
💡 Key Insights
• Inventory tightened again in Buffalo Grove, Deerfield, Highland Park, and Glenview
• Glenview remains strong but is cooling faster than Buffalo Grove or Deerfield
• Buyers have the most leverage in Glencoe and Northbrook
• Sellers retain the edge in Buffalo Grove, Deerfield, Wilmette, and Winnetka
📈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 clear: there is no “average” market anymore. Some towns reward speed, others reward patience — and understanding which market you’re in is where real value is created.
As always: stay informed, stay strategic, and Be Wise About the Market.
