October 2025 Home Sales Report
Wisconsin Home Sales and Prices Continue to Rise in October
Date: November 20, 2025
October 2025 at a glance
- For the fifth straight month, both existing home sales and median prices increased statewide. October home closings rose 3.4% compared to October 2024, and the median price increased to $331,500, which is a 6.9% increase over the last 12 months.
- Year to date, home sales increased 2.4% relative to the first 10 months of 2024, and the median price rose 5.6% to $327,500 over that same period.
- Total listings rose 1.7% compared to October 2024, continuing a trend of more than two years of monthly annualized growth in statewide total listings.
- Still, this remains a seller’s market with just 3.9 months of available supply statewide. Total listings would need to increase by just over 12,000 homes to reach the six-month benchmark that signifies a balanced housing market.
- Regionally, the October report showed that the less-urban regions of the state had more available inventory and their homes remained on the market longer. Specifically, the North, Central and West regions had between 4.2 and 5.3 months of supply, and average days on the market ranged from 77 to 94 days. In contrast, the more urban Northeast, South Central and Southeast regions had 3.3 to 4 months of available supply in October, and homes remained on the market an average of 60 to 75 days before selling.
- The monthly 30-year fixed mortgage rate has fallen over the past 12 months. The average rate was 6.43% in October 2024, and it fell to 6.25% in October 2025.
- Affordability fell just 1.5% compared to October 2024. Although home prices rose 6.9% over the last year, median family income is projected to have increased 3.6% over that same 12-month period. The income growth combined with a modest improvement in mortgage rates kept affordability nearly unchanged.
Additional analysis
Winter Months Offer Opportunities for Buyers
“As we move into the slower season for home sales, it’s good to remind potential buyers that sellers who list their homes during the colder months of the year are often highly motivated to sell. This can translate into more favorable price concessions from those sellers.”
Chris DeVincentis, 2025 Chair of the Board of Directors, Wisconsin REALTORS® Association
Mortgage Rate Moderation Continues
“The average 30-year fixed rate mortgage was just under 7% in January 2025 and fell to 6.25% in October. Hopefully these trends continue and we start to see real improvements in affordability.”
Tom Larson, President & CEO, Wisconsin REALTORS® Association
Impact of Government Shutdown
“Although federal government shutdowns typically don’t have lasting effects on the national economy, they are disruptive. For example, the Fed closely monitors national economic data on inflation and labor market conditions, and unfortunately the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics did not collect or analyze data for the six weeks of the shutdown. Fed Chair Powell has hinted at delaying a cut in short-term rates in December until more data becomes available.”
Dave Clark, Professor Emeritus of Economics and WRA Consultant