December 2025 Market Trends Report – Sterling IL 61081
📊 December 2025 Market Trends Report
Sterling, IL 61046
December brought a noticeable seasonal slowdown to the Sterling housing market, which is typical this time of year. Even so, the numbers still provide useful insight into buyer activity, inventory levels, and the market heading into early 2026.
Below is a breakdown of what happened in December 2025 and how it compares to recent months.
⏳Pending Listings 18 ↓
Sterling recorded 18 pending listings in December, down from 22 pending listings in November. This dip is consistent with seasonal patterns, as buyers tend to pause showings and negotiations during the holidays.
Pending activity often picks back up once the new year begins.
📋Active Listings 36 ↓
At the end of December, Sterling had 36 active listings. While this provides buyers with more options than some surrounding communities, inventory remains relatively limited.
Active listings at this level suggest a market that is competitive but not overheated.
📈 Months of Inventory 2.25 ↑
Sterling finished December with approximately 2.25 months of inventory. This is still below what’s considered a balanced market, which is typically closer to five or six months.
With inventory at this level, the market continues to lean toward sellers, though buyers have slightly more breathing room than in tighter markets.
💲 Median Sale Price $134,750 ↑
The median sale price in Sterling for December 2025 was $134,750, up from $122,500 in November. The median price represents the midpoint of all homes sold, so this increase suggests that the typical home selling in Sterling moved into a higher price range compared to the prior month.
This upward shift can occur when more mid-range and higher-priced homes closed, even as overall sales volume slows during the winter.
💰 Average Sale Price $296,000 ↑
The average sale price in December also came in at $296,000. When the median and average prices match, it usually indicates that very few homes were sold and that pricing was concentrated within a narrow range.
This reinforces the idea that December’s pricing data should be viewed with context.
📉 Sold to List Price Ratio 95.10% ↓
Homes in Sterling sold for an average of 95.1% of list price in December 2025, compared to 97.5% in November. This slight decrease suggests buyers had a bit more room to negotiate, which is common during the winter months when activity naturally slows.
Even so, selling at over 95% of list price still reflects a market where pricing remains relatively strong.
📅 Average Days on Market 41 ↓
The average days on market in December was 41 days, slightly lower than 44 days in November. This shows that, while fewer homes were sold, those that were sold moved at a fairly steady pace.
Homes taking just over a month to sell is reasonable for this time of year.
📆 Median Days on Market 35 ↑
The median days on market rose to 35 days, up from 16 days in November. This increase suggests that more homes took longer to sell, which aligns with slower winter activity.
Even so, many properties still sold within a reasonable timeframe.
📉 Interest Rates 6.32% ↓
Interest rates averaged 6.32% in December, slightly lower than 6.34% in November. While the change is small, even modest rate shifts can impact buyer confidence and monthly affordability.
Rates continuing to stabilize is something both buyers and sellers are watching closely.
✅ What This Means for Sellers
Sellers should expect a slower pace during the winter, but well-priced homes can still attract serious buyers. With inventory remaining below balanced levels, sellers continue to have an advantage in many situations.
Preparing now can put sellers in a strong position heading into the spring market.
🔍 What This Means for Buyers
Buyers may face less competition than during peak seasons, and winter can offer opportunities for negotiation. However, inventory remains limited enough that desirable homes can sell quickly.
Being prepared and watching the market closely remains important.
📝 Final Thoughts
December 2025 reflected a seasonal cooldown in Sterling, not a market shift. Inventory stayed below balanced levels, rates remained stable, and buyers continued to move forward when the right home came along. Check out our overview of the Market Trends for Rock Falls, IL, Sterling, IL, Dixon, IL, & Larak, IL
If you’d like to see how these trends affect your specific situation, I’m happy to break the numbers down for you.
Thanks, from 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
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