MILWAUKEE — The spring real estate market kicks off in the month of January in the state of Wisconsin. However, the month of March is when more listings hit the market.

Data for the greater Milwaukee area shows that February home sales were down nearly 4% compared to February last year. However, the number of listings rose in February by nearly half a percent.

What You Need To Know

  • Data for the greater Milwaukee area shows that February home sales were down nearly 4% compared to February last year. However, the number of listings rose in February by nearly half a percent

  • Mike Ruzicka is the president of the Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors. Ruzicka said low inventory is the biggest thing they are keeping an eye on this season

  • February’s supply in the state of Wisconsin is lower than is needed to be able to have a stable market for both buyers and sellers

  • When it comes to the thoughts of a recession making an impact on the real estate market and economy, retired Marquette professor of economics, Dave Clark said, its not likely

This shows a steady increase that has been ongoing for the past few months. 

Mike Ruzicka is the president of the Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors. Ruzicka said low inventory is the biggest thing they are monitoring this season.

He also said that the 6% interest rate we have been seeing is something that will probably stick around for the time being. 

“The one thing I always tell people is regardless of what’s going on in economy, don’t try and time the market,” Ruzicka said. “Spring is a really good time to sell and buy because that’s when most of the houses are listed.”

Beth Jaworski has been a realtor for over 30 years in the Milwaukee area. She’s seen the ups and downs of the market and said spring is always a busy time.

“Oh my gosh, crazy busy,” Realtor, Beth Jaworski, said. “I’ve had six listing already this year, I have six more coming up. I’ve got all kinds of buyers looking for homes, so yeah, it’s very busy.”

For the entire state of Wisconsin, the inventory is incredibly low. It’s something realtors and economists are keeping an eye on this season. 

February’s supply is lower than is needed to have a stable market for both buyers and sellers.

“We would need about 34,000 homes to move to about a six-month supply, or a balanced market,” Marquette Professor Emeritus of Economics, Dave Clark said. “That’s 113 percent more, more than double what we currently have. So, we are certainly in this situation that’s pretty tough for first-time buyers.”

With thoughts of a recession impacting the real estate market and economy, Clark said, it’s not likely.

He said that’s because of the current climate of the market.

“I don’t think a recession is likely,” Clark said. “Let’s say it did happen though… we are not anywhere near the conditions that led to the significant correction in housing prices that transpired in 2008.”

The spring months are clearly a sellers’ market. Trends right now show the sellers will continue to be favored as we head into the remainder of 2025.

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