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.

Buying a home soon? The market is giving buyers something they haven’t had much of lately: options. There are now more homes on the market than at any point since 2019, bringing inventory closer to normal levels. That means buyers have a better chance to find a home that fits their needs and budget, while also having more room to negotiate on price and terms. If you’re thinking about buying in Geneva, St. Charles, Batavia, or anywhere in the Fox Valley, The Kombrink Team at One Source Realty can help you sort through the options and focus on the homes that are actually worth your time.

Why does the housing market feel so confusing right now? Because not every buyer or seller is playing by the same rules. There are really four different groups shaping today’s market: cash buyers, financed buyers, homeowners holding onto low mortgage rates, and builders looking to move inventory. Which group you fall into can completely change your leverage, your options, and the best strategy for your next move. Thinking about buying or selling in Geneva, St. Charles, Batavia, or elsewhere in the Fox Valley? Reach out to The Kombrink Team and let’s figure out the strategy that makes sense for you.

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.

Waiting for mortgage rates to come down might seem like the safest move, but it doesn’t always play out that way. A recent survey found that 41% of buyers who waited for lower rates wish they had bought sooner. With inflation, the economy, and global events all influencing mortgage rates, there’s no guarantee a big drop is coming anytime soon. That doesn’t mean you should rush into buying. It means you should know what the numbers look like right now before deciding to wait. A trusted lender can help you understand today’s rates, available loan programs, and what payment actually works for your budget.

Data centers are expanding fast, and more homeowners are wondering what that could mean for nearby property values. So far, research suggests home values in communities with large data centers have generally performed similarly to comparable areas without them. But location still matters. Noise, proximity, development patterns, and possible utility impacts can all play a role. If a data center is proposed near your home in Kane or DuPage County, The Kombrink Team is keeping an eye on what it could mean for the local housing market.

Mortgage rates get most of the attention, but fall can bring some important changes for home buyers too. Historically, buyers may see more homes to choose from, lower asking prices, and sellers who are more willing to negotiate as the end of the year approaches. If affordability has kept you on the sidelines, the seasonal shift could create opportunities that weren’t there a few months ago.

Think every home seller is firm on their asking price? Not anymore. Recently, 41% of homes for sale had a price reduction, which means more sellers are showing a willingness to negotiate rather than let their home sit on the market. That doesn’t mean every house is suddenly affordable, but buyers may have more negotiating power, flexibility, and opportunity than they realize. If you’ve put your home search on hold, let’s take another look at what’s happening locally.

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.

Feel like your home search has been showing you the same options over and over? There’s a reason. Housing inventory is still higher than last year, but the pace of growth has slowed dramatically. Last spring, the number of homes for sale was up about 31% year-over-year. Today, that increase is closer to 2%. But recent trends suggest inventory growth may be starting to stabilize. And if homes continue taking longer to sell, more listings could begin piling up again. If your home search has felt a little stale, don’t give up. New opportunities are hitting the market every day.

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.

What’s happening in the Wheaton, Illinois real estate market right now? Here’s the August 2026 snapshot: Median sold price: $550,000 Median days on market: 8 days Months of inventory: 1.7 Sold-to-list ratio: 99.8% Inventory: up 46% year over year Active listings: 86 New listings: 84 New pending listings: 44 Median price per square foot: $277 Wheaton buyers have considerably more inventory than they did a year ago, but 1.7 months of supply is still firmly in seller’s-market territory. Homes are moving quickly and selling for nearly full asking price on average.

What’s happening in the St. Charles, Illinois real estate market right now? Here’s the August 2026 snapshot: Median sold price: $575,750 Median days on market: 8 days Months of inventory: 2.5 Sold-to-list ratio: 101.5% Inventory: up 87% year over year Active listings: 135 New listings: 104 New pending listings: 60 Median price per square foot: $242 Buyers have significantly more choices than they did a year ago, but St. Charles is still competitive. Homes are moving quickly and selling above asking price on average.

What’s happening in the North Aurora, Illinois real estate market right now? Here’s the August 2026 snapshot: Median sold price: $515,000 Median days on market: 11 days Months of inventory: 2.1 Sold-to-list ratio: 99.8% Active listings: 51 New listings: 57 New pending listings: 16 Median price per square foot: $207 Inventory: up 7% year over year and sharply higher from July With 2.1 months of supply, North Aurora is still a competitive seller’s market. But homes selling at roughly 99.8% of asking price suggests buyers may have a little more negotiating room than they did earlier in the year.

What’s happening in the Naperville, Illinois real estate market right now? Here’s the August 2026 snapshot: Median sold price: $685,000 Median days on market: 7 days Months of inventory: 2.1 Sold-to-list ratio: 100.5% Inventory: up 30% year over year Active listings: 340 New listings: 297 New pending listings: 154 Median price per square foot: $264 Naperville buyers have more homes to choose from than they did a year ago, but the market is still competitive. Homes are selling quickly and for slightly more than asking price on average. Thinking about buying or selling a home in Naperville? Contact The Kombrink Team at One Source Realty at 630-402-0021.

What’s happening in the Elgin, Illinois real estate market right now? Here’s the August 2026 snapshot: Median sold price: $400,000 Median days on market: 10 days Months of inventory: 1.9 Sold-to-list ratio: 100.3% Inventory: up 16% year over year Active listings: 194 New listings: 181 Median price per square foot: $211 Inventory is improving, which gives Elgin buyers more choices, but 1.9 months of supply is still firmly in seller’s-market territory. Homes are also selling for slightly more than asking price on average. Thinking about buying or selling a home in Elgin? Contact The Kombrink Team at One Source Realty at 630-402-0021.

What’s happening in the Batavia, Illinois real estate market right now? In August 2026: Median sold price: $460,000 Median days on market: 8 days Months of inventory: 1.4 Sold-to-list ratio: 100.3% Inventory: up 37% year over year Active listings: 45 Median price per square foot: $234 Even with more homes available, Batavia remains a competitive seller’s market. Properties are still moving quickly and selling slightly above asking price on average. Thinking about buying or selling a home in Batavia? Contact The Kombrink Team at One Source Realty at 630-402-0021.

The Aurora, Illinois real estate market is giving buyers more options, but sellers still have the advantage. In August 2026: Median sold price: $338,000 Median days on market: 8 days Months of inventory: 2.0 Sold-to-list ratio: 100.2% Inventory: up 47% year over year Active listings: 248 So while Aurora has considerably more inventory than a year ago, homes are still selling quickly and essentially at full asking price. Thinking about buying or selling a home in Aurora? Contact The Kombrink Team at One Source Realty at 630-402-0021.

What’s happening in the Geneva, Illinois real estate market right now? In August 2026, Geneva homes had a median sold price of $610,000, with properties selling in a median of just 4 days. Inventory climbed to 1.8 months of supply, but homes still sold for an average of 101.5% of list price. That means Geneva remains a competitive seller’s market, even as buyers get a few more choices. Thinking about buying or selling a home in Geneva? Contact The Kombrink Team at One Source Realty at 630-402-0021.