4 Housing Myths Debunked This Week: Here’s What the Data Actually Says
NORTH SHORE WISCONSIN HOUSING Q4 UPDATE: YOUR REAL-WORLD MARKET Q&A
You would not believe how satisfying it is to take a scary housing-market headline and replace it with real North Shore data that makes buyers and homeowners visibly relax.
And if you hosted Thanksgiving, you know how conversations shift from turkey timing to why a relative’s condo seems to be sitting on the market.
This week brought a wave of questions about what’s happening in our Mequon, Cedarburg, Grafton, Fox Point, Whitefish Bay, and Shorewood market. While answering them, I realized the same information could be helpful to you too.
Here is your North Shore Wisconsin Q4 Housing Market Q&A, written simply and grounded in what’s truly happening in our community.
HOW’S THE MARKET RIGHT NOW?
Nationally, existing home sales rose 1.2% in October and are up 1.7% year over year.
The median U.S. home price is now $415,200, up 2.1%.
Inventory remains tight at 4.4 months of supply.
Here in the North Shore, conditions remain steady and strong.
North Shore Snapshot
• Median sale prices continue to show year-over-year growth
• Homes in desirable areas sell quickly when priced correctly and well-presented
• Inventory remains low, giving sellers meaningful leverage
• Price reductions typically come from starting too high, not falling values
• Days on market remain low for updated, move-in-ready homes
• Demand in top school districts remains strong
The takeaway: our local market is stable, competitive, and far from any national slowdown narrative.
ARE HOME VALUES ACTUALLY DROPPING? WILL THIS HURT MY EQUITY?
A viral Zillow stat claimed 53% of U.S. homes dipped in value over the past year. It spread fast, but deeper context matters:
• Home values surged for six years, so a slight correction is normal
• The average dip is 9.7%, far smaller than the 27% drop after 2008
• Only 4.1% of homes sit below their last purchase price
• The typical homeowner has gained 67% in value since they bought
Locally, values remain solid due to continued demand and low supply. Most North Shore homeowners still hold significant equity.
ARE FORECLOSURES RISING LIKE 2008?
Foreclosures have increased slightly nationwide, but the full context is reassuring:
• Numbers are rising from extremely low levels
• Activity is still below what is considered normal
• Completed foreclosures remain low
• Some spikes are due to delayed filings rather than new distress
Financial pressure is real right now, with higher insurance, taxes, and living costs. But the housing market itself is not unstable.
This is nowhere near 2008.
Loans are stronger, and most homeowners have enough equity to sell before foreclosure becomes a threat.
WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH THE 50-YEAR MORTGAGE?
Despite the viral buzz:
• A 50-year mortgage is not legal under current federal rules
• Changing this would require policy updates
• Extending a loan that long slows equity growth and raises total interest
It’s a headline, not a real option in Wisconsin.
CAN YOU TAKE YOUR LOW MORTGAGE RATE WITH YOU WHEN YOU MOVE?
The idea of portable mortgages is being studied, but nothing has been approved.
Most mortgage contracts also prohibit it.
For now, your mortgage cannot transfer to your next home. If that ever changes, you’ll hear about it quickly.
WHAT SHOULD WE EXPECT IN 2026?
Recent forecasts show optimism:
• Home sales expected to rise 14%
• Home prices projected to rise 3% by end of 2025 and 4% in 2026
• Mortgage rates may ease toward 6%
• Mortgage applications already up 31%, showing early buyer enthusiasm
Locally, this likely means ongoing demand, tighter inventory, and steady price growth.
READY TO TALK ABOUT BUYING, SELLING, OR PLANNING AHEAD?
Whether you're in Mequon, Cedarburg, Grafton, Fox Point, Whitefish Bay, River Hills, or Shorewood, I’m here to answer your questions with real data, not headlines.
If this update missed something you're wondering about, reach out anytime.