Wisconsin Housing Market Overview

Wisconsin housing prices show a 10.4% YoY growth as of January 2025. The consistent increase in home prices indicates the strength of the housing market. Currently, the median home price in Wisconsin is $303,100. Additionally, the number of homes sold has increased by 3.5% YoY.

You can also check the market competitiveness through median days on the market. Houses in WI now spend 65 days on the market before going under contract. These metrics collectively indicate changes in the Wisconsin housing market's pace and affordability.

What Does It Mean for Home Buyers and Sellers?
  • If You're a Buyer: The 10.4% price jump means you should adjust your expectations accordingly. Get pre-approved first to show sellers your serious intent. The market can move fast despite the 65-day average listing time. Expand your search to neighboring areas for better deals on WI homes for sale. You should schedule inspections promptly once your offer gets accepted. Also, remember to factor repair costs into your total budget.
  • If You’re a Seller: Houses for sale in Wisconsin now command higher prices consistently. Set your price strategically based on this upward market trend. Complete minor repairs first to justify your higher asking price. You can showcase these improvements to potential buyers with professional photos. Once your listing starts gaining attention, make sure to review each offer as buyers compete for limited inventory.

Wisconsin Housing Supply

Homes for sale in Wisconsin reached 15,513 available properties this January. This represents a 6.7% increase in Wisconsin housing inventory year-over-year. New real estate listings in the market have also grown by 8%; 4,349 fresh properties have entered the competitive marketplace. The average supply stands at just 3 months statewide. A balanced market typically has 6 months of supply, suggesting that Wisconsin remains a seller's market.

What Does It Mean for Home Buyers and Sellers?
  • If You're a Buyer: The 6.7% growth in Wisconsin real estate gives you more options than last year's market. The three-month supply period indicates sellers still maintain some advantage. Make your strongest offers quickly in order to stand out. Consider houses in WI that stayed listed longer for potential negotiation leverage. Target newly listed properties if you seek less competitive situations.
  • If You’re a Seller: Wisconsin's current market is in your favor. Your property should sell quickly despite rising inventory levels. Your house in Wisconsin must immediately capture attention among growing options. When you're marketing, emphasize features that distinguish your home from competing properties. Make prompt responses to inquiries so buyers are not compelled to explore alternatives.

Wisconsin Housing Demand

The percentage of homes selling above the list price is a key indicator of housing demand. When more homes sell for more than the list price, it shows strong buyer competition and high demand. A decline suggests more supply. Tracking this trend helps you gauge market competitiveness.

In January 2025, 27.6% of Wisconsin houses for sale sold above the list price. Meanwhile, the number of homes with price drops has increased slightly from last year, with 15.9% of homes seeing price reductions. The 98.4% sale-to-list ratio reflects continued buyer demand statewide.

What Does It Mean for Home Buyers and Sellers?
  • If You're a Buyer: The Wisconsin real estate market offers some room for negotiation. Fewer homes sell above the asking price compared to last year. You might find more Wisconsin homeowners willing to consider reasonable offers. 15.9% of Wisconsin housing see price drops. However, be prepared to pay close to the asking price for desirable properties.
  • If You’re a Seller: Most Wisconsin homes still sell for 98.4% of the asking price, which indicates buyer activity. You should set realistic expectations, given that above-listed sales are down by 3.8 points this year. Homes for sale in Wisconsin need to stand out to command premium prices at this stage. Consider pricing strategy carefully to avoid later price reductions.

Is It a Buyer’s or Seller’s Market in Wisconsin?

Strong
Buyer

Buyer

Balanced

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Strong
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Buyer’s Market

Seller’s Market

Seller: Housing demand exceeds supply and drives the prices up. Homes sell fast and get multiple offers from buyers.

As of January 2025, Wisconsin homeowners looking to sell have the advantage, thanks to increased prices and limited months of supply. Buyers have less leverage in Wisconsin's real estate housing market for the same reasons. However, the silver lining for buyers is the consistently climbing median days on market, which has risen to 65 days.

The current mortgage rates of 6.38% to 7.25% will significantly reduce buying power. However, the 8% rise in new home listings could attract new home buyers to Wisconsin. These trends vary significantly within Wisconsin's diverse real estate markets.

Wisconsin Housing Market Insights

Sellers maintain an edge despite January's slight market cooling. WI homes for sale command higher prices than this time last year. Home prices jumped 10.4% to $303,100. This upward trend confirms robust buyer demand. The average price of homes continues its climb statewide. Sales increased by 3.5% across Wisconsin. The housing market right now favors those looking to sell.

Supply remains too low to meet current buyer needs. Available WI homes for sale grew 6.7% from last year. Yet inventory sits at just 3 months of supply. The average price of homes reflects this tight inventory situation. Most sellers avoid price cuts, with only 15.9% of homes with reductions.

Buyers face competition in the housing market right now, especially as sellers receive 98.4% of their asking prices. This competitive environment requires fast action.

Nationwide Migration Trends

Wisconsin attracted significant inbound migration during winter 2024-2025's peak moving season. Over 3,000 residents searched for in-state homes from Nov '24 to Jan '25. New homebuyers arrive from Illinois, California, and Florida. Strong economic opportunities and a high quality of life draw families to Wisconsin markets. Cities like Madison, Eau Claire, and Appleton welcome the most new residents.

This migration pattern reflects the broader trends in the cost of living index. Wisconsin's cost of living index is 5% lower than the national average.

Frequently Asked Questions

How have home prices changed in Wisconsin over the past year?

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