Read today’s top story: It takes 6.5 years to break even on homeownership in Chicago

 

Trends

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It takes 4 years to save for a down payment in Chicago

That timeline is typical for a family saving 15% of their income, assuming a 15% down payment.
Chicagoland housing market jumps into spring with rising sales, higher prices

The spring market is off to a competitive start across Chicagoland suburbs, according to Mainstreet REALTORS®’ March data report. 
Zillow: Buyers want exposed beams and arched doorways

Among over 600 home features and design aspects, exposed beams were the most popular — home listings featuring the element saw 19.7% more engagement on Zillow.com.
Boomers still buying the most US homes as first-time buyers fall to all-time low

Boomers made up 42% of all homebuyers during the period from July 2024 to June 2025, unchanged from the same time a year prior. Millennials lost market share, making up 26% of buyers, down 3% year over year.
Average monthly mortgage payments top $2K for first time

The average monthly payment on an outstanding home loan reached $2,005 in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to Realtor.com’s latest data based on FHFA figures.
Empty-nesters own more than a third of three-bedroom homes in US

Redfin noted that millennials are currently the largest generation, making the rate of boomer homeownership even more outsized in comparison.

Case-Shiller: Chicago home-price growth jumps in January

S&P Dow Jones Indices noted that inflation outpaced national home-price appreciation for the eighth month in a row. 
Trends: How new construction will adapt to address the housing supply shortage

The 2026 National Housing Supply Summit was held in Washington, D.C., on March 18.

REMAX: Chicago home sales jump in February

Nationally, home sales in the 51 metro areas surveyed by REMAX declined 3.2% year over year and rose 11.1% month over month. 
Late May is the most profitable time of year to list in Chicago

Though the most lucrative week to list varies by city and region, spring is undoubtedly the smartest season to list.
Pending home sales rise in February, portending a strong spring selling season

Regionally, pending sales rose in the Midwest, South and West, and declined in the Northeast on a month-over-month basis.
Why Chicagoland’s international buyer market is too big to ignore

Illinois isn’t a foreign buyer’s market waiting to happen. It is one that’s been quietly thriving for years.  
Report: Gen Z adults lead among 2026 movers

Many Americans are planning a move this year, driven by lifestyle changes, family needs and homeownership goals, according to the 2026 State of Moving Forecast Survey by American Home Shield. 
REMAX: Chicago home sales fall year over year in January

U.S. home sales declined 6% year over year and 32% month over month in January, according to the latest REMAX National Housing Report.  
Amount buyers need to afford typical home falls for 2nd month in a row after 5 years of increases

After five years of worsening, housing affordability has finally started to improve, according to a new Redfin study. 
Pending home sales slip slightly in January despite improved affordability

With mortgage rates approaching 6%, 5.5 million additional buyers that could not qualify for a mortgage one year ago would qualify at today’s lower rates, the National Association of REALTORS® said. 

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