Persistently high prices outweighed high demand as suburban Chicagoland home sales dropped by more than 9% in March, according to Mainstreet REALTORS®.

Detached home sales were down 9.4% year over year, from 2,147 in March 2024 to 1,945 this year. These homes also took longer to sell, averaging 54 days on the market this year against 49 days on the market in 2024.

At the same time, prices rose year-over-year for the 23rd month in a row, jumping by 4.1% from a median of $370,000 in March 2024 to $385,000.

Sales of attached homes fell slightly as well, dropping 3.7% to 1,077. Attached homes spent far longer on the market, lingering 43 days compared to 31 days in 2024. Median sales prices still rose, from $260,000 last year to $270,000.

Detached homes in some suburban markets fared better than others, selling faster than the average time on market in the following locales: Antioch (27.1% decrease in average time on market); Bartlett (27.1%); Batavia (57.5%); Buffalo Grove (57.1%); Carol Stream (43.2%); Dolton (22.5%); Elmhurst (30.7%); Lake Villa – Lindenhurst ((29.4%); Long Grove – Lake Zurich – Hawthorn Woods – Kildeer (44.2%); Naperville (26.2%); Oswego (50.0%); Round Lake (29.6%); Sycamore (60.9%); and Wheaton (53.7%).

“Buyers are experiencing a trifecta of challenges right now — finding a home that fits their needs and also has that ‘Instagram-worthy’ effect at an affordable price point,” Mainstreet REALTORS® President Connie Vavra shared in a statement. “Market solutions are out there, but taking longer to execute.”