Wisconsin Real Estate Q3 2025 Market Report

As we close out the third quarter of 2025, Southeastern Wisconsin’s housing market

continues to demonstrate both resilience and balance. Despite lingering affordability challenges and rate volatility, buyer confidence remains steady, and market activity continues to reflect a healthy mix of movement and price stability. Across much of the region, homes are still selling, prices are holding firm, and the market is finding a new equilibrium after several years of rapid acceleration.

Regional Overview

Across the nine counties Compass tracks, total sales volume rose 6.9% year-over-year, signaling solid engagement from both buyers and sellers. While total transactions held relatively flat (+0.4%), the median sales price increased 5.6%, reaffirming continued value growth across price points. Days on Market ticked up slightly, suggesting a more normalized, measured pace of sales—one that allows buyers to be thoughtful and sellers to remain confident.

Standout Counties

• Jefferson County led the region in growth, with a 21.0% increase in sales volume, 16.5% more transactions, and a 4.5% rise in median price. This combination of higher activity and pricing reflects renewed demand in more affordable, lifestyle-driven areas.

• Washington County posted equally strong results, with volume up 21.0%, sales up 14.7%, and a 3.8% increase in median price, underscoring its appeal among move-up buyers seeking suburban space and quality schools.

• Waukesha County, the region’s largest suburban market, maintained impressive momentum. Sales volume was up 13.4%, transactions up 4.6%, and median price up 5.5%, confirming its continued role as a regional powerhouse.

• Walworth County, a perennial favorite for lake and second-home buyers, saw volume up 3.6%, sales up 5.8%, and prices climbing 8.5%, demonstrating that the vacation and investment segments remain healthy.

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Key Metro Markets

• Milwaukee County, the largest market by unit count, experienced a 9.3% increase in volume, a 0.5% uptick in transactions, and a 5.6% rise in median price. This indicates strong demand for urban and close-in suburban housing options, even as DOM rose slightly to 19 days.

• Dane County posted a 1.4% increase in sales volume and a 2.2% rise in median price, though total transactions dipped slightly by 3.3%. The increase in DOM—from 20 to 28 days—suggests a more balanced market returning after years of rapid turnover.

Lake & Lifestyle Markets

• Kenosha County enjoyed a healthy rebound, with sales volume up 11.4%, transactions up 3.3%, and a 12.2% surge in median price, signaling robust interest from buyers migrating north from the Illinois border.

• Racine County remained stable with volume up 1.3%, a 5.1% dip in transactions, and an 8.1% rise in median price, showing that while fewer homes traded, values continued to strengthen.

• Ozaukee County was the only market to see a notable decline, with volume down 13.7% and sales off 18.2%, though the median price still rose 2.1%, proving that pricing resilience continues in higher-end segments despite slower activity.

  
  

Looking Ahead

Overall, Southeastern Wisconsin remains one of the Midwest’s most dynamic and diverse real estate regions. The combination of stable pricing, manageable inventory, and long-term lifestyle appeal continues to attract both local and out-of-market buyers.

As 2025 winds down, Compass agents remain dedicated to helping clients make smart, confident real estate decisions.

Buyers have more time and opportunity, while sellers continue to benefit from steady prices and strong demand — a balanced market where everyone can move with confidence.

What does it mean for Buyers and Sellers going into Q4?

Buyers have more time and opportunity, while sellers continue to benefit from steady prices and strong demand. A balanced market where everyone can move with confidence.