Homes that sold quickly in Chicago were significantly more likely to go above asking price than those in the broader market in early 2026, according to a Zillow analysis. 

In the Chicago metro area in February 2026, 25% of homes that sold went pending within seven days. Among those fast-moving listings, 58.5% sold above list price, compared with 24.7% of all homes sold during the same period. 

The analysis looks at early 2026 housing market conditions across U.S. metros and compares how quickly homes go under contract with final sale outcomes. 

Nationally in February 2026, 18.5% of homes went pending within seven days. Zillow found that homes that sold that quickly were more than twice as likely to sell above asking price compared to the overall market. 

In March 2026, the typical home that sold nationally went pending after 19 days, while the median active listing had been on the market for 56 days. The gap between how fast sold homes move and how long all active listings sit reached its widest point for any March since 2020, the report highlights. 

In the Chicago metro area, the median time to pending during the period was eight days, compared with the national median of 19 days. The median age of all active listings in Chicago was 26 days. 

In February 2026, other major metros such as St. Louis, Cincinnati and Kansas City had at least three in 10 homes selling within seven days. 

Overall, homes moving within a week tend to be priced in line with buyer demand, while other listings often take longer to sell, suggesting signs of more balanced housing conditions.