Wisconsin Existing Home Sales Drop 8.3 Percent in August

Existing home sales in Wisconsin fell 8.3 percent in August 2026 compared to the previous year, reversing growth trends observed in June and July. The Wisconsin Realtors Association reported that the statewide median home price rose 7.1 percent to $362,000, while the Housing Affordability Index dropped 6.5 percent to its lowest level since tracking began in 2009.

Sales declines occurred across all state regions, with the steepest drops between 11.9 percent and 14.5 percent in the Central, North, and West regions. Despite the August slump, year-to-date sales through the first eight months of 2026 have increased by 3.2 percent. Board chair Amy Curler noted that closings from May through August were the strongest since 2022.

President and CEO Tom Larson attributed the eroding affordability to 30-year fixed mortgage rates increasing to 6.67 percent from 6.05 percent in February, combined with home prices rising at more than twice the rate of inflation. Larson stated that these conditions hit first-time buyers especially hard due to their heavy reliance on financing.