I get asked this question all the time.
At baseball games. At the farmers market. In my DMs at 9pm on a Tuesday.
“Casey, is NOW actually a good time to buy?”
And here’s what I love about that question: it tells me you’re paying attention. You’re watching rates. You’re watching prices. You’re trying to make a smart decision for your family.
So let me give you a real answer — not a headline, not a sales pitch. Just what I’m actually seeing in this market right now, straight from our local MLS data.
Because here’s the thing about national real estate news: it’s not about US. The Chippewa Valley has its own story. And that story is actually really interesting right now.
What the Numbers Are Actually Saying
I pulled our local MLS data this week, and here’s what’s happening in the Chippewa Valley market as of June 2026.
Home Prices Are Up — Significantly
The median sale price in our market hit $350,000 in May 2026.
To put that in perspective: in May 2025, the median was $319,207. That’s nearly a 10% increase in one year.
And if you want to zoom WAY out — in May 2016, the median sale price here was $160,700. This market has more than doubled in a decade. That is not a market that is struggling.
What does this mean for buyers? It means waiting is not automatically the safer play. Every year you sit on the sideline, prices in this market have historically continued to climb.
Homes Are Selling at Asking Price
This one surprised even me when I looked at it.
The sale-price-to-list-price ratio for March, April, and May 2026 is sitting right at 100%. Meaning sellers are getting exactly what they’re asking for.
We are not in 2021 anymore — that was the wild era when homes were selling for 102% of list price and buyers were waiving inspections and writing love letters. That frenzy is gone.
But we are also not in a buyer’s market where you can lowball and negotiate big discounts. Well-priced homes are selling at full price. The market has found its footing.
Overpriced Homes Are Getting Corrected
Here’s a nuance worth paying attention to: the gap between original list price and final sale price.
In May 2026, homes were listed at a median of $375,000 and sold at $350,000. That $25,000 gap tells you something important.
Sellers who priced too aggressively had to come down. Sellers who priced right sold at asking.
This is actually GOOD news for buyers. It means there’s some room in the market for negotiation on homes that have been sitting. But it also means the best-priced, best-presented homes are still going quickly and cleanly.
You’re Getting More Per Square Foot Than Ever
Price per square foot hit $202 in May 2026 — the highest it’s been in the five-plus years of data I’m looking at.
For comparison: in May 2021, it was $144 per square foot. In May 2023, it was $170. We’ve been on a steady climb.
This matters because it tells you that values are holding and growing. You are not buying into a market that is about to correct downward.
Homes Are Taking a Little Longer to Sell
Days on market in May 2026 was 59 days. In May 2025, it was 54 days. A slight increase.
This is actually a healthy sign. The market is more balanced than it was a few years ago. Buyers have a little more time to think, do proper inspections, and make good decisions.
It is not a slow market. But it is a more measured one. And for families making one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives, a little breathing room is not a bad thing.
What About Mortgage Rates?
Okay, I can’t talk about the market without talking about rates. Because I know that’s the thing keeping a lot of you on the fence.
As of mid-June 2026, the 30-year fixed rate is sitting around 6.5%. It dipped close to 6% for a brief window in spring before climbing back up, driven by inflation and economic uncertainty.
Is 6.5% where we all hoped we’d be? No. But here’s the context I always give my buyers:
The historic average 30-year mortgage rate since 1971 is around 7.23%. What we have right now is actually below the long-term average. We got very spoiled by the 3% rates of 2020 and 2021. Those were the exception, not the rule.
And here’s the line I say so often my clients probably have it memorized: you marry the house, you date the rate. If rates drop, you can refinance. You cannot go back in time and buy the house you lost to another buyer because you were waiting.
On a $350,000 home with 10% down at 6.5%, you’re looking at a principal and interest payment around $1,990 per month. That is very livable for a dual-income household, which is the reality for most of the families I work with.
So Is It a Good Time to Buy?
Here’s my honest take. And I promise this is not a pitch.
If you are planning to stay in your home for 5 or more years, the Chippewa Valley market right now is a solid place to buy.
Prices are growing. Values per square foot are at all-time highs. Homes are selling at asking price, which protects the value of what you’re buying. And this area continues to attract families, businesses, and people relocating from larger cities who want a lower cost of living with a genuinely incredible quality of life.
The buyers I worry about are the ones making rushed, emotional decisions. And I also worry about the ones who are completely paralyzed — waiting for a “perfect” market that does not exist.
The question isn’t really “is the market good right now.” The real question is: are YOU ready? Is your pre-approval in order? Do you have a clear picture of what you need? Do you have a local agent who actually knows this market?
If the answer to those questions is yes, then yes. Now is a good time.
A Quick Note If You’re Relocating to the Chippewa Valley
I work with a lot of buyers who are moving here from out of state or out of the area. And one of the most common things I hear is: “We had no idea how affordable it was compared to where we’re coming from.”
A $350,000 median sale price looks very different when you’re coming from a market where that same house would cost $600,000 or $700,000. The Chippewa Valley consistently offers something that’s getting harder and harder to find: space, community, great schools, and a price point that actually works for a family.
If you’re researching a potential move here, I’d love to be your resource. Grab my free Relocation Guide for an insider look at the area: grab my free Relocation Guide
And check out my full guide to the Chippewa Valley here: my full guide to the Chippewa Valley
Ready to Talk Through Your Situation?
Every buyer’s situation is different. Maybe you’re a first-time buyer trying to figure out if you can actually afford this market. Maybe you’re a move-up buyer who needs to sell your current home first. Maybe you’re relocating and trying to get the lay of the land from 500 miles away.
Whatever your situation, I’m happy to have a real conversation about it. No scripts, no pressure, no nonsense.
Start with my free Home Buying Blueprint — it walks you through the whole process from pre-approval to closing day: Home Buying Blueprint
Or reach out directly. You can find me at caseylevrichrealtor.com or on Instagram @caseylevrich.realtor. I actually respond. 💕
And if you’re starting to explore neighborhoods, this post is a great next read: Best Neighborhoods in Eau Claire & Chippewa Falls