The "New Normal" on the North Side
If you’ve driven through Lincoln Park or Lakeview lately and noticed a "Coming Soon" sign disappear before the weekend even started, you aren't imagining things. The market isn't just moving; it’s vibrating.
Recently, The Real Deal, the industry’s gold standard for real estate news, reached out to Danielle Dowell to get the ground-truth on what’s happening in Chicago’s most coveted neighborhoods. The headline? “Absolutely insane.”
It’s a phrase we don't use lightly, but when you see 70% of homes on the North Side selling above the asking price, often by $60,000, $100,000, or even $135,000 as we recently saw in Logan Square, it’s the only description that fits.
Getting the Deal is the Deal
We recently sat down with a client who was frustrated after losing out on their third offer. They asked, "When does it stop being about the price and start being about the house?"
The hard truth we shared, which Danielle highlighted in her feature, is that in this spring 2026 market, getting the deal is the deal. Traditional pricing strategies have been tossed out the window. Buyers are no longer just looking at comps; they are waiving contingencies and building "premiums" into their initial offers just to get a seat at the table.
The winners in this market aren't just the ones with the deepest pockets, they’re the ones with the best preparation. Our team has been navigating these "hand-to-hand combat" negotiations daily. Whether it’s understanding the exact limit of a contingency waiver or knowing which off-market opportunities are about to surface in Bucktown or Wicker Park, we’re focused on making sure our clients are the ones holding the keys at the end of the day.
Real Estate Insight: How to Survive the Bidding War
The biggest mistake you can make right now is entering a transaction with a 2023 mindset.
Here are two things you need to know:
- The List Price is a Suggestion: In Lincoln Park and Lakeview, the list price is often just the "opening bid." Work with your team to determine the actual market value before you even step inside.
- Speed is a Contingency: If you aren't ready to tour a home within hours of it hitting the market (or better yet, seeing it before it hits the market), you’ve already lost. Having a real estate team with deep local ties is the only way to get ahead of the "insanity."
Don’t Navigate the Madness Alone
The North Side market is a wild ride right now, but with the right strategy, it’s one you can win.
Read the full article in The Real Deal to see Danielle’s full market breakdown.
