Here are 5 homes you could buy near Chicago’s median price of $360,000

The winter real estate market is expected to be the busiest since the pandemic, according to Alejandro Trujillo of real estate firm RE/MAX Premier.

“I think we’re going to have a very solid amount of buyers still out there,” he said. “Sellers are realizing that they can still make the same move right now that they can in the spring. The same value and the same pricing — they’re still able to get that in this winter market compared to other winter markets of the past.”

Trujillo anticipates 2026 to be almost a “carbon copy” of this year, saying it will be a strong seller’s market.

The median sale price of a home in Chicago last month was $360,000, a 0.06% year-over-year decrease, according to a report released Monday by the Chicago Association of Realtors. The median sale price in November 2024 was $362,250.

Chicago’s inventory continued to tighten, matching a year-long trend, with the number of homes for sale last month at 3,762 homes, down 23.9% year over year.

Despite fewer closed sales in November — an 11% decrease from November 2024 — homes sold 13.6% faster in Chicago, spending 57 days on the market, compared to last year’s figure of 66.

Trujillo said more prospective buyers are entering the market after realizing mortgage rates aren’t dipping much lower.

But Trujillo said homebuyers should be flexible when it comes to details such as location. He said neighborhoods like River North, the Loop and South Loop currently offer more inventory at a better value. He said current hotspots include Lincoln Park, Lake View and Old Town.

“I think buyers need to be a little bit more logical … maybe that fixer-upper is a good thing right now. Maybe buying outside of some of these hot areas may not be so bad at all,” he said.

The Chicago Sun-Times checked to see what a person could buy near the city’s median sale price. Here are five Chicago listings, according to Redfin data.

2800 N. Pine Grove Ave. Unit 8A, Lake View
Price: $360,000
HOA: $491/month
Size: 705 square feet, 2 bedrooms/1 bath
Built: 1893
Agents: Nicholas Haubrich and Laura Meier of @properties Christie’s International Real Estate

The top-floor unit in the historic Brewster Building has 10-foot ceilings and a kitchen with quartz countertops, Bosch appliances and custom cabinetry. The bathroom has floor-to-ceiling subway tile, ebony hexagonal floor tile and a new vanity and toilet. Upgrades to the unit include new plumbing and electrical, wide-plank light oak flooring with soundproof underlayment, new windows and a tankless hot water heater. The Brewster Building, a Chicago landmark, has a rusticated stone and terra cotta facade, internal iron staircases and a European-style cage elevator. Building amenities include laundry facilities, bike room, storage and on-site management with door staff. The unit last sold in 2020 for $219,000, according to Redfin data.

2801 N. Oakley Ave., #202, Bucktown
Price: $359,000
HOA: $295/month
Size: 1,000 square feet, 1 bedroom/1 bath
Built: 2008
Agent: Maria McKinsey of Jameson Sotheby’s Intl Realty

The open concept condo has a living room with a fireplace, recessed lighting and built-in surround sound stereo system in the ceiling. The kitchen has stainless steel appliances and a peninsula that can fit four bar stools. The bedroom, which could fit a king-sized bed, has refinished hardwood floors and a walk-in closet with custom organization. The elevator building includes a butterfly intercom system, deeded garage parking, bike storage, storage locker and access to a dock where residents can launch a paddleboard or canoe. The condo last sold in 2021 for $325,000, according to Redfin.

400 S. Green St., #406, West Loop
Price: $359,900
HOA: $432/month
Size: 1,138 square feet, 1 bedroom/1 bath
Built: 1910, converted to condos in 1986
Agent: Ryan Templeton of Keller Williams ONEChicago

The one-bedroom timber loft has original exposed wood beams, 12-foot ceilings and exposed brick walls. It has central air, in-unit laundry, a wood-burning fireplace and hardwood floors throughout. The kitchen, updated in 2017, has stainless steel appliances, new custom cabinetry and a waterfall countertop. Listing details said the Green Street Lofts were a former 1900s warehouse that was one of the first warehouse-to-condo conversions in the mid-80s. Exterior parking is available. The loft last sold in 2003 for $215,000, according to Redfin. 

6318 S. Greenwood Ave., #1, Woodlawn
Price: $364,900
HOA: $386/month
Size: 2,056 square feet, 4 bedrooms/3 baths
Built: 1903
Agent: Verg Eiland of @properties Christie’s International Real Estate

The remodeled duplex condo includes hardwood floors, new carpeting and a new kitchen with marble backsplash, quartz countertops and new stainless steel appliances. The primary bedroom has a walk-in closet and an en suite bath with Egyptian marble tile, new vanity, quartz countertop and jacuzzi tub. The lower level has the fourth bedroom, a bathroom and family room. In-unit laundry and a rear parking spot is included.

635 N. Dearborn St., #1403, River North
Price: $365,000
HOA: $795/month
Size: 925 square feet, 2 bedrooms/2 baths
Built: 2003
Agents: Ekaterina Andrews and Heather Hillebrand of Baird & Warner

The two-bedroom condo has floor-to-ceiling windows, in-unit laundry and parking included. The primary bedroom has an en suite bathroom with a double vanity. Building amenities include 24-hour door staff and an updated fitness center.