Published October 18, 2026 in Market Update

River Forest prices rose even as sales slowed

By Thurston Gayle

Real estate, River Forest

Fewer sales did not pull prices down in River Forest. That is the one fact owners and buyers both need to sit with right now.

The Real Estate Data Aggregator counted 48 homes sold in ZIP 60305 in the three months ending August 31, 2026. That was down 20% from the same months of 2025. Even so, the median sale price rose 7.1% to $775,000. Nationally, the Federal Housing Finance Agency reported U.S. house prices were up 2.6% year over year through July 2026. River Forest ran well ahead of that pace.

Homes sold faster, not cheaper

The Real Estate Data Aggregator shows the median days on market dropped to 40 days, 9 days shorter than the same period last year. Sellers still averaged 100.1% of their list price. That means the slower pace did not force discounts. Homes sold for what sellers asked, or just above.

Nearly half of River Forest homes, 47.8% according to the Real Estate Data Aggregator, went under contract within two weeks of listing. That share was up 1.8 points from a year before. When well-priced homes move that quickly, it tells you demand is still present even if total volume is lower.

Supply stayed tight

The Real Estate Data Aggregator counted 35 homes for sale in River Forest during this period, down 2.8% from a year before. New listings held steady at 56, unchanged from 2025. Supply at 2.2 months is low. That kept buyers competing for a small pool of homes, which supported prices.

The rate picture adds pressure for buyers

Realtor.com reported that mortgage rates surged above 7% for the first time since January 2025. Fannie Mae, as reported by CNBC, forecast an average 30-year fixed rate of 7.4% for the fourth quarter of 2026 and 7.5% through 2027. Higher rates narrow what buyers can borrow. In River Forest, where the price floor is already high, that matters.

Realtor.com also reported that 20.8% of listings nationally took price cuts in September 2026, the highest share since October 2022. River Forest did not follow that pattern. The Real Estate Data Aggregator shows the share of homes sold above list price fell only 1.3 points, to 35.4%. That is a small dip, not a shift.

What this means for owners and buyers

For owners: the Real Estate Data Aggregator data shows values held in River Forest even with fewer transactions. A slower market did not mean a softer one here.

For buyers: less activity did not create bargains. Homes still sold at or above list price. The 2.2 months of supply leaves little room to wait.

One note on taxes: property taxes are a significant cost in River Forest. Cook County is scheduled to reassess both townships in 2026, so bills may change. Verify current tax figures with official Cook County records before making any decision.

These are ZIP 60305 numbers. One block or one street can read differently from the whole. If you want to know where your home sits in this picture, reach out.