Market Update
Lake County & McHenry County Market Data
Here is what the numbers tell us about the local real estate market right now. We pull these figures from reliable sources so you can make informed decisions — without hype or pressure. Data last updated September 11, 2026.
30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate
6.76%
vs. prior week
+0.05%
vs. September 2025
+0.41%
Source: Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey as of September 10, 2026. The 30-year fixed rate averaged 6.76% this week, up from 6.71% the prior week and the highest level in more than 14 months. It sits about 0.41 percentage points above where it stood a year earlier (6.35%). Rates are for informational purposes only and may vary based on lender, credit profile, and loan terms.
Lake County, Illinois
Latest Published Data: August 2026
Data sourced from Redfin (Lake County Housing Market Update, published September 8, 2026) and Freddie Mac. Year-over-year comparisons are versus August 2025. Month-over-month comparisons are versus July 2026. Redfin reports pending sales rather than a closed homes-sold count in its county snapshot, so that is the sales figure used here.
As of this update (September 11, 2026), August is the most recent published month for Lake County. Redfin's September report has not yet been released, and we will refresh these figures as soon as it is.
| Metric | August 2026 |
|---|---|
| Median Home Sale Price | $428,566 |
| Pending Sales | 849 |
| Active Inventory | 3,039 listings |
| Median Days on Market | 50 days |
| Sale-to-List Price Ratio | ~101% (near par) |
Additional context: Lake County's median sale price of $428,566 in August was down a bit from July's $433,728, but up 4.4% from August of last year, more than double the national pace. Pending sales of 849 eased from July's 970, which is typical as summer winds down. Active inventory of 3,039 listings was still about 6% higher than a year ago, so buyers have more to choose from than they did last summer. Homes spent a median of 50 days on the market in August, a touch longer than the month before. The share of homes selling above list price dipped slightly from 48.3% in July, and most homes continued to sell at or very close to their asking price.
McHenry County, Illinois
Most Recent Available Data
McHenry County monthly data often publishes on a slight lag behind Lake County, and some figures are not broken out at the county level in the public sources. As of this update (September 11, 2026), the most recent data available from Redfin still covers the June 2026 median sale price and the three-month period ending May 2026 for days on market; Redfin's August county report did not include updated McHenry County figures. Where a specific metric could not be verified at the county level this month, we have said so plainly rather than guess. We will update this table as new numbers are released.
| Metric | Most Recent Data |
|---|---|
| Median Home Sale Price | $373,945 |
| Median Sale Price per Sq Ft | $200 |
| Active Inventory | County-level figure not published this month |
| Median Days on Market | 43 days |
| Sale-to-List Price Ratio | County-level figure not available |
| Homes Sold (Monthly) | County-level figure not published |
Additional context: The median home price in McHenry County was $373,945 in June 2026, up 3.9% from the same month a year earlier. That is steady, sustainable appreciation, and it sits below Lake County's median, which reflects the different mix of homes in each county. Homes in McHenry County went under contract in about 43 days over the March through May period, compared to 50 days a year earlier, which is a meaningful improvement in how quickly homes are finding buyers. Public sources do not currently break out a reliable monthly homes-sold count, active-inventory level, or sale-to-list ratio at the county level, so we have left those figures out rather than guess. We will add them as soon as they are published.
County Comparison
Lake County vs. McHenry County at a glance
These two counties often move in the same direction but at different paces. Here is how they compare side by side using the most current data available for each.
| Metric | Lake County | McHenry County |
|---|---|---|
| Median Sale Price | $428,566 (Aug 2026) | $373,945 (Jun 2026) |
| Price YoY Change | +4.4% | +3.9% |
| Pending Sales | 849 (+0.8% YoY) | Not published at county level |
| Days on Market | 50 days | ~43 days |
| Active Listings | 3,039 (+6.0% YoY) | Not published at county level |
What the Numbers Mean
A calm look at where the market stands
Here is what the numbers tell us. In Lake County, the median sale price in August was $428,566, up 4.4% from a year ago. That is a healthy gain, and it is running ahead of the national pace. Pending sales of 849 were about even with last year, and there were 3,039 active listings in August, roughly 6% more than at the same time last year. That is the part of the picture that stands out to me: buyers in Lake County have more homes to choose from than they did a year ago. Homes took a median of 50 days to go under contract, a little longer than in July, and most sold at or very close to their asking price. Compared to July, you do see the normal seasonal slowdown as summer winds down: prices eased slightly, and pending sales stepped back from 970. That is August behaving like August, not a sign of a market in trouble.
In McHenry County, the data publishes on a slower schedule, and Redfin's August report did not include updated county figures, so the most recent numbers we can stand behind are still from June. The median sale price was $373,945, up 3.9% from a year earlier, which is steady, sustainable appreciation. Homes were going under contract in about 43 days over the three months ending in May, a meaningful improvement over the 50 days a year earlier. Public sources have not published a reliable county-level count of homes sold or active inventory this month, so we have left those out rather than guess. The story McHenry County is telling is a calm one: prices holding steady, and well-priced homes finding buyers without much delay.
Mortgage rates moved up again this week. Freddie Mac's survey put the average 30-year fixed rate at 6.76% as of September 10, up from 6.71% the prior week and about 0.41 percentage points above where it sat a year ago. It is the highest reading in more than 14 months, so financing a purchase genuinely costs more than it did last fall. If you are thinking about buying or selling, here is what matters most to me: the market remains a place where you can take your time, ask the right questions, and make a decision that fits your situation. Prices are not shooting up like they did a few years ago, and inventory in Lake County is still growing. That is a market that rewards patience and good information, not one that demands rushed choices. We are here to help you understand how these numbers apply to your own circumstances. No pressure, just straight answers.
"We have been watching this market for over 50 years. What we see right now is a market settling into a healthier rhythm. More inventory in Lake County than a year ago, buyers still active, and prices rising at a pace that makes sense. It is not a market that demands quick decisions. It is a market that rewards good ones."
The Rank Home Team
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