How Your Home’s Price Point Affects Selling in 2026

Why Some Homes Are Selling Faster Than Others Right Now

Ask a couple people how the housing market is doing and you’ll probably get a couple different answers. That’s because right now, the market runs on 2 very different tracks, split by price point.

Knowing which track your house is on changes everything about your sale, from your asking price to how long you can expect to wait before an offer comes in. Here’s what you need to know.

Home Sales Are Picking Up Speed at the Top of the Market

Rates and buyer competition are shaping this market differently depending on price point. Look at recent sales data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the pattern jumps right out. 

Homes priced under $250,000 saw sales drop 2-3%…

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Is Fall a Good Time to Buy a House? 2026 Buyer Guide

Why Fall Can Be a Great Time to Buy a Home

You've been waiting for something to change before you buy. It just might not be the thing you expected…

While everyone’s paying attention to mortgage rates, only the savviest buyers know that the changing season can start tipping things in their favor. 

Because every fall, buyers tend to get more to choose from, better prices, and more room to negotiate. And that’s why Hannah Jones, Senior Economist at Realtor.com, says:

“We always see that the best time to buy window usually falls in the early fall around October.”

And that’s exactly why, if you've been waiting for a better moment to buy, this season may be worth a closer look – even with rates where they are.

1. There Are More Homes…

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Are New Construction Homes Cheaper Than Existing Homes in 2026?

New Construction Homes May Cost Less Than Existing Homes Right Now

Most people think a newly built home costs more than an existing one. But right now, that’s actually backwards. Newly built homes are more affordable than existing ones in a lot of markets. And that’s because builders are cutting prices and stacking on incentives to try to keep their inventory moving.

Here’s why that’s really important for any would-be homebuyer to know.

Newly Built Homes Are the Better Deal Right Now

According to the latest data from the Census and the National Association of Realtors (NAR), a newly built home now typically costs about $40,000 less than an existing one (see graph below):

Builders aren’t like homeowners who can wait for the right…

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Will Home Prices Drop in Illinois? 2026 Housing Market Forecast

Are Illinois Home Prices Going Down in 2026?

Are you holding off on your move because you're worried about buying at the peak of the market? It's understandable to feel hesitant when national news cycles are filled with conflicting reports about a potential crash. Many buyers we talk to in the Fox Valley are asking the same thing: will home prices drop in Illinois during 2026? While it's tempting to wait for a bargain, the current data suggests a much more stable reality for our local neighborhoods.

We know how frustrating it is to balance mortgage rates with rising home values. This article provides a clear, data-driven analysis of the 2026 forecast to help you move forward with confidence. You'll discover why a significant price drop is…

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Home Price Cuts Are Rising: What Buyers Should Know in 2026

More Home Sellers Are Cutting Prices and Negotiating With Buyers

You're scrolling through listings on your phone and everything looks good until you see the price (or the estimated monthly payment). Then you close the app. 

Because even if you love the house, the numbers feel impossible. But here's the thing.

Nationally, there are more homes sitting on the market than there are people out there looking. And when sellers need buyers more than buyers need sellers, that shows up in the price.

Lower asking prices. More price cuts. And homes priced for what buyers can actually afford – not what sellers hope someone might pay.

And it may be enough to make buying more doable than you’d think.

4 Out of 10 Sellers Are Cutting Their Price 

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Worried About a Housing Crash? The Numbers Tell a Calmer Story.

Worried About a Housing Crash? The Numbers Tell a Calmer Story.

A recent survey from Talker Research asked Americans to pick one word to describe how 2026 has felt so far. The winner? Stressful. And honestly, there’s been a lot going on.

So, it’s understandable if you've been putting off buying or selling a home until things settle down. But you may be waiting on something that's already happened. While everything else has felt shaky, the housing market has become one of the steadiest things out there. Look at the data.

Home Prices Have Leveled Out

After years of fast increases, data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows home prices have been remarkably steady for the past 4 years (see graph below):

And experts say…

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Carol Stream Housing Market: 2026 Home Prices & Trends

What’s Happening With Home Prices in Carol Stream in 2026?

Why does the national news talk about a housing cooldown when Carol Stream home prices just hit a median of $390,000? It often feels like there's a massive gap between what you hear on the evening report and what's actually happening here in DuPage County. You've likely noticed that homes in your neighborhood are still moving fast, often selling for over 101% of their list price, which makes timing your next move feel like a high-stakes guessing game.

We understand that local reality often defies broad headlines, and you deserve clarity before making a significant life transition. This update provides the latest data on property values and expert insights into how the 2026 market…

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The Kind of House Buyers Are Willing To Pay More For

That spare room on the main floor. The finished basement with a kitchenette and its own entrance. The bonus room you've been using for storage.

To you, it's extra space. But to a growing pool of buyers, it's the reason they'd pick your house. Here’s why. Multi-generational homebuying is on the rise.

Millions of Families Are Living Multi-Generationally

The number of multi-generational households is climbing. That’s when 3 or more generations live under one roof. And data shows those households grew from 3.2 million to almost 4 million between 2014 and 2024, according to Realtor.com.

And each year, more people are shopping for a larger home that fits their combined needs.

While the appetite for this type of house is rising across the board,…

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Home Price Growth Slowed Down. That May Be Changing.

After more than a year of headlines talking about how home prices are going to crash, the latest data shows that price growth may be starting to pick back up again. And depending on whether you’re buying or selling, that shift means something different for you.

The Numbers May Be Starting To Turn

For the past couple of years, home price growth has been moderating – cooling from around 7% in mid-2024, according to Redfin (see graph below). But look at the right side of that graph. The pace of that growth appears to have hit its low point and started to turn.

While a couple months of data doesn’t necessarily mean this will be a lasting trend, there are some other signs that this could continue.

For example, fewer markets are seeing prices…

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Selling a Luxury House? Here’s Why Now Is a Good Time

If you own a luxury house, you're in a stronger spot than most sellers right now. While much of the market has cooled, the high-end tier hasn't. Sale prices and buyer demand are both up. So if you're considering selling, now could be a great time to make your move.

Luxury Is Leading on Price

Let’s start with prices. But before we get into it – what actually counts as a luxury home? Generally, these are homes in the top 5% price range for the area, so it varies depending on where you live.

But what’s interesting is that according to the latest data from Redfin,sale prices for luxury houses have risen about three times faster than for non-luxury.

Right now, the typical home’s sale price is up about 1.5% year-over-year. But high-end homes? Their…

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