Northern Illinois Real Estate Videos & Market Updates

You may have more negotiating power than you think. Right now, about 60% of homes are selling below their original asking price. That means your chances of getting a home for less than the seller originally wanted are better than a coin flip. But how much can you negotiate? That depends on the home, the neighborhood, how long it’s been on the market, and what buyers are doing locally. The Kombrink Team keeps a close eye on the Chicagoland market so you can make a strong offer without unnecessarily overpaying. Thinking about buying? Let’s figure out what kind of offer makes sense.

Half of buyers are worried home prices are about to crash. The other half are hoping they do. But the latest home price forecasts tell a different story. Fannie Mae surveyed more than 100 housing experts, and the average forecast calls for home prices to rise 14.7% through 2030. Even the most pessimistic forecast still projects a 6.6% increase. That doesn’t mean every city or neighborhood will move the same way. Some markets could see short-term declines, but nationally, experts are still forecasting higher home prices over the next several years. Wondering what home prices are doing here in the Fox Valley and Chicagoland market? Reach out to The Kombrink Team at One Source Realty.

More than 4 in 10 homes for sale have had at least one price cut, and the average reduction is around $17,000. For sellers, that’s a reminder that pricing correctly from the beginning matters. Start too high, and you may end up chasing the market down. For buyers, a price reduction can signal an opportunity. A seller who has already adjusted their price may be more willing to negotiate on price, closing costs, or other terms. Thinking about buying or selling in Geneva, St. Charles, Batavia, or the surrounding Fox Valley? Reach out to The Kombrink Team and let’s talk strategy.

Will home prices drop in Illinois in 2026, or are buyers waiting for a housing crash that may not happen? Current forecasts point toward continued home price growth in Illinois, not a major decline. In this video, Kris Kombrink breaks down what’s keeping prices supported, including low housing inventory, homeowners holding onto low mortgage rates, limited new construction, and continued demand across the Fox Valley. We’ll also look at what this means for buyers and sellers in communities like Geneva, St. Charles, Batavia, and throughout Kane and DuPage Counties.

Thinking about moving to Chicago’s western suburbs and trying to decide between Geneva and St. Charles, Illinois? These neighboring Fox Valley communities both offer historic downtowns, highly regarded schools, access to the Fox River, great restaurants, parks, trails, and plenty of housing options. But living in Geneva and St. Charles can feel surprisingly different. This video compares Geneva vs. St. Charles, including: Downtown atmosphere and lifestyle Home prices and housing options Geneva Metra access and commuting Schools and recreation Parks, trails, festivals, and entertainment Which community may fit your lifestyle best Geneva may be the better fit if you want walkable Metra access, boutique shopping, historic charm, and established neighborhoods close to downtown. St. Charles may appeal more if you're looking for riverfront entertainment, a wider variety of housing, larger lots, and more nightlife and recreation.

Think a brand-new home automatically costs more than an existing one? Not necessarily. Nationally, the typical new construction home is around $394,000, compared with roughly $434,000 for an existing home. That’s about a $40,000 difference. Builders with inventory to sell may also be offering incentives, rate buydowns, closing cost help, or other opportunities that can make new construction even more attractive. Just remember: the agent sitting in the builder’s sales office represents the builder. Having your own real estate agent means having someone looking out for your interests during the purchase.

Feel like everything has been a little unpredictable lately? The housing market may actually be one of the more stable things out there. Home prices have been relatively steady, housing inventory is close to where it was last year, and mortgage rates have stayed in roughly the same 6% to 7% range since late 2022. If you’ve been waiting for the market to “settle down” before buying or selling, it may already be there. That stability can make it easier to plan your next move with a little more confidence.

Home price growth slowed significantly over the past couple of years, but early data suggests it may be starting to pick up again. A few months don’t make a trend, and real estate is always local. Reach out to The Kombrink Team for a closer look at home prices across Kane and DuPage Counties and what the latest shift could mean for your move.

The housing market is telling two very different stories depending on price point. Homes under $250,000 are seeing fewer sales than last year, while sales of homes over $750,000 have climbed by double digits. Why the gap? Entry-level buyers are feeling the impact of mortgage rates much more heavily, while higher-end buyers often have more financial flexibility. For sellers, that means your pricing strategy matters. Lower-priced homes may need sharper pricing and stronger presentation, while higher-end homes could still see strong demand and even multiple offers. Want to know where your home fits in today’s Fox Valley market? Contact The Kombrink Team at 630-402-0021 or visit https://www.kombrink.com.

The housing market may be cooling in some price ranges, but luxury real estate is telling a different story. Luxury home prices are rising much faster than the rest of the market, supported by high-end buyers who are still ready and able to make a move. Thinking about selling a luxury home in the Chicagoland area? The Kombrink Team can help you position it for maximum exposure and the strongest possible return.

The Sugar Grove, Illinois real estate market is giving buyers a lot more breathing room than it did a year ago. Here’s the September 2026 snapshot: Median sold price: $505,000 Up 7.46% month over month Median days on market: 13 days Months of inventory: 3.1 months Inventory up 131.85% year over year Sold-to-list price: 98.8% Median price per square foot: $207 Sugar Grove still has relatively limited supply, but conditions are becoming more balanced. Buyers have significantly more inventory to choose from, while homes are now selling slightly below their final asking price overall. Thinking about buying or selling in Sugar Grove? Reach out to The Kombrink Team at One Source Realty.

What’s happening in the South Elgin, Illinois real estate market? Here’s the September 2026 snapshot: Median sold price: $422,990 Up 6.82% month over month Median days on market: 16 days Months of inventory: 1.4 months Sold-to-list price: 100.3% Median price per square foot: $217 South Elgin remains a competitive seller’s market. Inventory is still tight, and homes are selling for slightly more than their final asking price overall. Buyers have more inventory than they did a year ago, but desirable homes can still move quickly.

The St. Charles, Illinois real estate market is giving buyers something they haven’t had much of lately: more options and more negotiating power. Here’s the September 2026 snapshot: Median sold price: $406,490 Median days on market: 64 days Months of inventory: 7.0 months Sold-to-list price: 99.8% Median price per square foot: $236 Active listings: 28 With inventory at seven months and homes taking longer to sell, buyers may have more room to negotiate depending on the property. Sellers need to pay especially close attention to pricing and competition.

What’s happening in the Naperville, Illinois real estate market? September 2026 brought a few noticeable changes: Median sold price: $655,000 Down 4.38% month over month Median days on market: 10 days Months of inventory: 2.2 months Sold-to-list price: 99.3% Median price per square foot: $266 Inventory is also up more than 32% year over year, which means Naperville buyers are seeing more choices than they had a year ago. The market still favors sellers overall, but homes are taking longer to sell and the typical property is now closing slightly below asking price.

The Elgin, Illinois housing market is still moving quickly. In September 2026, the median sold price was about $359,950, homes sold in a median of just 8 days, and inventory remained tight at only 1.8 months of supply. Homes also sold for roughly 100.2% of list price. Even with prices down from the previous month, Elgin continues to favor sellers while giving buyers more inventory to choose from. Thinking about buying or selling in Elgin? The Kombrink Team can help you understand what these numbers mean for your specific neighborhood and price range.

Elburn’s housing supply is rising, but sellers still have an edge. Here’s your September 2026 market snapshot. • Median sold price: $536,000, down 2.55% from August • Median days on market: 10 • Months of inventory: 2.5, up 36.56% year over year • Sold-to-list price ratio: 99.6% • Active listings: 33 • New listings: 34 Higher months of supply and longer market time suggest buyers have a little more breathing room. Still, homes are selling close to asking price, and Elburn remains a seller’s market. Buying? Compare your options and be ready when the right home appears. Selling? Price against your current competition and make your presentation count.

Five median days on market and homes selling above asking price overall. Batavia’s housing market is still moving quickly. Here’s your September 2026 Batavia, Illinois market snapshot: • Median sold price: $425,110 • Median days on market: 5 • Sold-to-list price ratio: 101.6% • Months of inventory: 1.6 • Active listings: 51 • New listings: 47 The median sold price declined 7.58% from August, but that doesn’t mean every home lost value. The mix of homes selling can shift the median, even while buyers compete for well-priced properties. Buying? Have your financing and priorities ready. Selling? Strong presentation and realistic pricing still matter.

More inventory, a little more time to shop, and prices edging higher. Here’s your Aurora, Illinois housing market snapshot for September 2026. • Median sold price: $342,749, up 0.96% from August • Median days on market: 13 • Months of inventory: 1.7, up 23.4% year over year • Sold-to-list price ratio: 99.2% • Active listings: 221 Aurora remains a seller’s market, but rising supply gives buyers more options. Sellers should pay attention to pricing and presentation as competition grows. Thinking about buying or selling? Contact The Kombrink Team at One Source Realty. 630-402-0021 Data provided by RPR. Includes single-family homes and condos/townhouses/apartments.