December 2025 eXp Realty, LLC | Team Flannery Market Trends Overview

December is typically a quieter month for real estate, but the numbers still tell an important story, especially as we head into a new year. Looking at December 2025 market trends across Rock Falls, Sterling, Dixon, and Lanark helps put local activity into perspective and shows how each community responded to seasonal slowdowns.

Below is a snapshot of what happened in each town, including sales activity, inventory levels, and overall market balance. While every market is different, understanding whether conditions favor sellers or buyers can help homeowners and buyers make more informed decisions as we head into 2026.

December 2025 Market Summary – Rock Falls

December wrapped up the year with surprisingly strong activity in Rock Falls. Sales increased from November, while new listings declined, keeping inventory very tight. Homes continued to sell quickly overall, even though days on market ticked up slightly due to normal seasonal slowdowns. Prices moved higher, and sellers continued to capture a strong percentage of their list price.

With roughly one month of inventory, Rock Falls remains firmly in a seller’s market. Even during a slower time of year, demand continued to outpace supply, especially for well-priced, well-maintained homes.

For homeowners considering selling, December’s numbers suggest the market stayed strong heading into 2026. Buyers, on the other hand, still needed to act decisively when the right home became available.

If you’d like a deeper breakdown of the numbers and what they mean locally, you can read the full December 2025 Market Trends Report for Rock Falls here.

December 2025 Market Summary – Sterling

Sterling saw a seasonal slowdown in December, with fewer homes selling and fewer new listings coming on the market. While sales volume dropped from November, pricing remained relatively stable, and homes continued to move at a reasonable pace for a winter month. Inventory stayed below balanced levels, even as buyer activity cooled.

With approximately 2.25 months of inventory, Sterling remains a seller-leaning market, though not as tight as some neighboring areas. Sellers continued to receive solid offers, but buyers had a bit more breathing room than earlier in the year.

Overall, December reflected a normal winter pause rather than a market shift. Sellers remained in a favorable position, while buyers gained slightly more negotiating leverage.

For a closer look at pricing, inventory, and how the market shifted during the winter slowdown, check out the full December 2025 Market Trends Report for Sterling.

December 2025 Market Summary – Dixon

December brought a noticeable but expected slowdown to the Dixon market. Sales dipped slightly, new listings dropped significantly, and pending activity cooled as buyers took a holiday pause. Even so, pricing remained stable, and homes continued to sell close to list price when priced correctly.

With about 3.5 months of inventory, Dixon moved closer to a balanced market, though it still leaned mildly toward sellers. Buyers had more options than in Rock Falls and Sterling, but desirable homes continued to move quickly, as reflected in the low median days on market.

Dixon’s December numbers suggest a market that slowed seasonally without losing momentum. Both buyers and sellers had opportunities, depending on pricing and timing.

To see how Dixon compared month over month and why the market leaned closer to balance in December, take a look at the full December 2025 Market Trends Report for Dixon.

December 2025 Market Summary – Lanark

Lanark had a very quiet December, as is common in smaller markets during the winter. With only a few homes selling, individual transactions had a bigger impact on the data. Even so, pricing held steady, and inventory remained relatively low given the town’s size.

At roughly 2 months of inventory, Lanark still leaned toward a seller’s market, despite slower activity. Limited supply continued to support home values, even though buyer activity was more selective during the holidays.

Because of the low number of sales, December’s numbers are best viewed as part of a broader trend rather than on their own. Overall, Lanark closed out the year with stable pricing and manageable inventory.

Because smaller markets can change quickly, a full breakdown adds important context—read the complete December 2025 Market Trends Report for Lanark to see how December played out.

Final Thoughts

December 2025 showed that while winter naturally slows real estate activity, the local markets across Rock Falls, Sterling, Dixon, and Lanark each held their own in different ways. Inventory levels remained relatively low in most areas, pricing stayed stable, and well-positioned homes continued to sell despite seasonal pauses.

As we move into 2026, these December trends provide a helpful baseline for what buyers and sellers may experience in the months ahead. Whether the market leaned toward sellers, buyers, or balance, one thing remains consistent: understanding local data is far more useful than relying on headlines or assumptions.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling in the coming months, keeping an eye on how these trends evolve can help you make smarter, more confident decisions.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling in 2026, I’m happy to help you understand how these trends affect your specific situation. Reach out anytime for a no-pressure conversation.

Thanks
David & Debbie Flannery
eXp Realty, LLC | Team Flannery
815-973-0533
YourAgent@TeamFlannery.com

Information provided by: Realtors Property Resource®, MRED LLC, & The Wild Group