It’s been an interesting Mid-Q3 for the housing market: US existing-home sales dipped below 4 million, landing at a 3.98M annual pace—a 14-month low and a 2% drop month-over-month. With the 30-year fixed mortgage hovering near 7% and inventory climbing to 4.9 months’ supply, buyers nationwide are seeing more choices than we’ve had in a while. That increased selection is giving homebuyers a bit more room to negotiate, which I’ve seen firsthand with my clients.

Even with these shifts, demand is holding up thanks to rising wages and steady job gains. The median existing-home price set a new Mid-Q3 record at $429,100—especially notable as higher-priced homes continue to drive much of today’s activity. First-time buyers accounted for 30% of purchases, while cash deals made up 27%. On average, homes spent 31 days on the market.

As someone who lives the lakefront lifestyle and guides clients through all market conditions, I know every number tells a story. Whether you’re thinking about your next move or just keeping an eye on the market, staying informed helps you make confident decisions. Let’s navigate these changes together.

Mortgage costs have reached a 14-month high across the US, with the average buyer’s monthly payment now sitting at $2,600 by late Q3. While the national median home-sale price edged up by about 2% year-over-year to roughly $399,000, this added a layer of affordability pressure, keeping pending sales steady month-over-month and lower than last year.

A trend I’m seeing—both nationally and right here along our lakefront—is that strategic pricing matters more than ever. About 21% of active listings made price cuts recently, and agents are noticing that realistic, sharp pricing is drawing in more serious attention, while overpriced homes tend to linger. New listings dipped slightly around the holidays but still outpaced the same period last year, and inventory improved by about 2% annually to 1.5 million homes, approaching four months of supply. Yet, we’re still not at a truly balanced market.

Whether you’re considering buying or selling, understanding these shifts—and how they play out in our unique lakefront communities—can make all the difference. Having lived and worked here, I know firsthand how market changes impact your next chapter. My approach is always rooted in honest guidance and positioning your goals at the forefront—because your move should feel just as personal as the place you’ll call home.

We’re seeing an interesting shift in our real estate landscape: by mid-Q2 2024, 18 states across the US actually had more homes for sale than we did in 2019. That’s a big change from the inventory squeeze we all grew used to after the pandemic. But it’s important to remember—nationwide, we’re still running behind those pre-pandemic levels, even with some states getting a boost.

Why is this happening? Higher mortgage rates have made buyers a bit more cautious, and new construction has added to the number of homes available. This means buyers in some areas finally have more choices, and experts believe that could help ease price growth where supply has rebounded past those old benchmarks.

On the seller’s side, though, it’s a different story. More competition means pricing your home right and making it shine are more important than ever. As someone who both lives and works in our lake communities, I know how crucial it is to position a home so it stands out—especially now, as we watch to see if more states will join this inventory upswing. Whether you’re buying or selling, staying informed is key, and I’m always here to help you navigate the changes with clarity and care.

Crystal Lake — Most Expensive homes for August 2026.

Listings (sorted by price):
1. Listing MRD12668043 — $2,249,000
2. Listing MRD12649571 — $1,800,000
3. Listing MRD12691717 — $1,395,000
4. Listing MRD12649062 — $1,350,000
5. Listing MRD12738733 — $1,295,000
6. Listing MRD12570950 — $1,200,000
7. Listing MRD12659273 — $1,200,000
8. Listing MRD12683406 — $1,200,000
9. Listing MRD12740139 — $1,200,000
10. Listing MRD12732893 — $1,199,000
11. Listing MRD12414839 — $1,100,000
12. Listing MRD12739900 — $1,100,000
13. Listing MRD12712887 — $1,099,000
14. Listing MRD12712918 — $1,099,000
15. Listing MRD12677634 — $1,000,000

Across Early-Q1 to Late-Q2 2026, the typical US home in a highly rated school zone cost $580K, a 35% premium over $430K overall.
A US household needed $159K to afford one, ~ $41K more than the $118K needed for the typical home overall during that period.
For median-earning households, buying in a highly rated school zone would have consumed ~55% of income, versus ~40% for the typical US home.
Only 13% of listings in highly rated school zones were affordable to a median-income household, compared with ~28% of listings overall nationwide.
The premium suggested added value for sellers, while buyers could compare school ratings with commute, overall costs, and child-focused programs and resources.

As someone who both lives and works on the water, I pay close attention to how national trends ripple through our lakefront communities. In Mid-Q3, price per square foot declined year-over-year in 36 of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas—a clear sign that many major housing markets are cooling off. Nationwide, we saw about a 2% yearly drop in price per square foot, continuing a 10-month stretch of softening across the board. Sellers responded by adjusting their asking prices more aggressively, hoping to bridge the gap with buyers and reflect changing expectations.

High mortgage rates are making affordability a real challenge, especially in areas that saw prices surge during the pandemic. That’s led to some of those boom-time markets giving back a portion of their gains, as inventory levels now sit above pre-pandemic norms. For my sellers, positioning your home thoughtfully and pricing it right is more important than ever. For buyers, honest guidance and local insight can help you navigate this shifting landscape. Whether you’re looking to make a move or simply want to understand what these changes mean for your lakefront property, I’m here to help you approach your next chapter with confidence.