Tracy Cross & Associates, Inc.
2nd Quarter 2026
Homebuilders sold 3,087 new construction units in the Chicago region during the first six months of 2026; an increase of nearly 6.0 percent compared to the first half of 2025 when 2,921 contracts were recorded. Transactions were split between 1,786 in the single family detached sector, representing a moderate 1.3 percent year-over-year increase, and 1,301 among attached sector product lines such as townhomes, duplexes and condominiums, translating to a 12.3 percent jump compared to the same period in 2025.
Increases during the fist half of the year resulted from a strong second quarter, with sales in both the city of Chicago and the suburbs increasing considerably compared to the 2nd Quarter 2025. Contributing to a strong second quarter was a rise in development activity regionally as the number of new developments entering the market exceeded those reaching sellout during the three-month period.
Regionally, the Southwestern Corridor has become a prominent destination for both builders and homebuyers as it now represents the top suburban growth area. Specifically, during the first two quarters of 2026, new home sales in the Southwestern Corridor totaled 932, which reflected a 32.0 percent share position among all new home sales in the Chicago suburbs during the six-month period. Following the Southwestern Corridor were the Western and Northwestern corridors, with 881 and 774 sales, respectively.
Lennar led all homebuilders in regional sales during the first six months of 2026 with 761 transactions, followed closely by D.R. Horton with 746 net contracts. Rounding out the top five were Pulte and M/I Homes with 602 and 389 sales, respectively, followed by Ryan Homes with 186 sales.