Suburban Market Holds Steady but Inventory Swings Create New Buyer and Seller Advantages

Detached home sales across Chicagoland suburbs held pace in September, signaling a market that remains steady on the surface but new data from Mainstreet REALTORS® shows widening differences below.

A total of 2,341 detached homes sold last month, nearly unchanged from 2,312 sales a year earlier. However homes spent more time on the market, rising to an average of 41 days versus 33 while median prices continued their gradual climb, up 3.9% from $385,000 to $400,000.

“While area-wide data has remained consistent for a number of months now, hyperlocal data can paint a very different picture,” said Kinga Korpacz, president of Mainstreet REALTORS®. “We’ve seen suburbs double their amount of inventory over the past six months, leading to more sales, while inventory levels in other suburbs stagnate or decrease. Each city is its own microcosm.”

Pending sales for detached homes were strong last month. There were 2,683 homes under contract, a 7.3% increase from last September when 2,500 homes were under contract. This continued buyer demand suggests interest remains resilient, particularly in suburbs where inventory has increased.

“It’s incredibly important buyers and sellers work with Mainstreet REALTORS® who have access to city-level data and know their local markets,” said John Gormley, CEO of Mainstreet REALTORS®. “This information helps sellers determine list price and strategy, while helping buyers put together appealing offers and so much more.”

Meanwhile, the sale of attached homes in the Chicagoland suburbs was up 10.5% in September, from 1,111 homes sold last year to 1,228 last month. Time on market held at an average of 31 days, and prices increased 3.0% from $267,000 last year to $275,000 last month.

Not as strong as detached homes, pending sales for attached homes were up 1.5%, from 1,245 last year to 1,263 last month.

“Buyers should target areas with higher inventory if they want a better negotiating position,” added Korpacz. “And negotiate on both price and terms, particularly when there are no competing offers.”

Several suburban communities experienced notable upticks in detached home sales in September 2025 compared to the same month in 2024, signaling areas where inventory may be loosening and buyer opportunities could be expanding. Particularly strong year-over-year gains were seen in: 

• Calumet City (100.0% increase)
• Dolton (69.2%)
• Montgomery (69.2%)
• Fox Lake (120.0%)
• Glenwood (266.7%)
• Matteson (45.5%)
• Markham (85.7%)
• Park Forest (25.0%)
• St. Charles (33.3%)
• West Chicago (38.9%)
• Warrenville (57.1%)
• Wadsworth–Old Mill Creek (50.0%)
• Zion (53.3%)

Connect with your Mainstreet REALTOR® who has access to on-the-ground data and is an expert in your local market. They can help you shape your buying or selling strategy.