Is 2026 the year? The year when interest rates will dip below 6%? The year when local inventory starts to rise steadily? The year when affordability improves, pushing more buyers to buy and more sellers to sell? Many think so, and some data from 2025 supports that notion.
Our last 2-3 years of market updates can sound like a broken record. While prices have continued to increase, adding to current homeowners' equity, interest rates and low inventory have made the home-buying process difficult to navigate. 2025 shared many characteristics with 2023 and 2024; however, some indicators lead many to believe the dam is starting to break. This was the case in the Elmhurst market in 2025.
Elmhurst saw closed sales increase by almost 7% compared to 2024, although 2025 closings were still down compared to 2023.
Elmhurst Closed Sales Up 6.8%
Inventory in Elmhurst also increased, albeit slightly, from a low point of 1.4 months in August of 2024 to 1.8 at year’s end of 2025.
Elmhurst Months Supply
More transactions and rising inventory led to only modest gains in Elmhurst's average sales price. Elmhurst’s average sales price rose 2.1% compared to 2024.
Elmhurst Average Sales Up 2.1%
As always, the spring market is our busiest market, and the first quarter can be a good indicator for how the year will end. We’ll continue to monitor the market. In the meantime, here is a synopsis of local and national market predictions as well as some newsworthy articles that could impact 2026.
News
- Interest rates hold steady: Chicago Agent Magazine comments on the Fed leaving rates unchanged in their January 28th meeting
- Crain’s Chicago Business reviews the local 2025 market and how the Chicagoland market outpaced the overall national market (paid firewall)
2026 Predictions
- Chicago Agent Magazine cultivates predictions on both a national and local level
- Illinois Realtors predicts prices and inventory will rise moderately in 2026 with stronger activity in the Chicagoland market
- Realtor Magazine: leading economists weigh in on the national real estate market for 2026
--
Your local LW Reedy agent closely monitors the local real estate market and economic news affecting interest rates. Questions about how interest rates and the real estate market impact your housing plans? Contact us today.
