🏡 The Questions Everyone’s Asking This Holiday Season — What’s Really Going On in the Housing Market?

At every year-end gathering — family dinners, work parties, friendly get-togethers — one topic never fails to come up:the housing market.

Many people are asking the same three questions this winter. Here’s what the latest data and insights from Keeping Current Matters (KCM) reveal.

① “If I try to buy or move right now, will I actually find a home I like?”

Yes — much more than before.

Over the past several months, the number of homes on the market has steadily increased.There are now far more listings available compared to last year.

That means the days of extreme bidding wars and listings disappearing overnight are fading.Buyers now have more room to compare, choose, and negotiate.

② “Can I actually afford a home right now?”

For many people, it’s becoming more realistic again.

After a few tough years of high rates and price spikes, affordability is starting to improve.Mortgage rates have eased slightly, and home price growth has slowed.

In some cases, buyers are paying hundreds of dollars less per month than they would have just a few months ago.Buying is once again a realistic and attainable option for many households.

③ “Should I wait for prices to drop even more?”

Probably not.

It’s natural to hope prices will fall — but according to KCM, that’s not the most likely scenario right now.

Even though inventory has grown, it’s still not high enough to cause price drops.And most homeowners today have significant equity, making a 2008-style crash very unlikely.

Experts say:

“Instead of waiting for prices to drop, act when you find the right home and the right conditions.”

🏙️ What This Means for Buyers and Sellers in Chicago & Illinois

🏠 For Buyers

• Inventory is up, giving you more options and less competition.

• Mortgage rates and price growth have slowed — your monthly costs may be lower than before.

• Instead of waiting for a ‘perfect’ dip, focus on finding a home that fits your goals and budget now.

  
  

🏡 For Sellers

• Concerned your home won’t sell quickly?

  
  

  More listings also mean it’s easier to find your next home after selling.

• With the market stabilizing, highlighting your home’s strengths — location, condition, and nearby amenities — can help you attract strong offers.

• If you plan to sell and move, this could be the perfect window to make that transition.

🚀 Now Is the Time to Move — Prepared Buyers and Sellers Win First

The big questions people ask — “Will I find something?” “Can I afford it?” “Should I wait?” — all have one consistent answer in the data:Now is a realistic, strategic time to act.

In markets like Chicago and Illinois, where demand remains steady and inventory is improving, waiting could mean missing valuable opportunities.

Let’s make a plan together — define your budget, your priorities, and your goals to build a strategy that works.

📞 773-717-2227✉️ ChicagoBDB@gmail.comChicago Real Estate – Sang Chul Han