Well {{first_name}}, the Super Bowl wrapped up last night — and in real estate, that usually signals something important. And right around Super Bowl Sunday every year, something else quietly kicks off too: the spring real estate market.

There’s a long-standing rhythm in real estate where Super Bowl weekend acts as the unofficial starting gun. Buyers who’ve been watching from the sidelines start getting serious. Sellers begin thinking, “If we’re going to move this year, now’s the time to prepare.” The energy shifts almost overnight.

And it’s not just psychological. Here in our part of the globe, we’re finally gaining noticeable daylight again. The sun’s sticking around longer in the evenings, and it usually lines up with the slow fade-out of our deep freeze. That extra light has a funny way of changing how people think — more energy, more optimism, and more “let’s make a move this year” conversations.

Even though it may not feel like spring just yet (this is still Chicagoland), activity across Lake County is already picking up. Showings increase. New listings start trickling on. Conversations move from “someday” to “this year.”

For buyers, this is the moment to get organized. Getting pre-approved, tightening up your wish list, and understanding your monthly comfort zone now puts you ahead of the crowd that will flood in later this spring. It’s also why I’ve built in extra safeguards for buyers, including my Buyer Protection Plan, which is designed to reduce risk and give you peace of mind as you move forward.

You can read more about how that works HERE.

This week’s blog dives deeper into why this window matters so much, especially for Lake County buyers. I break down the top three reasons buying before the spring rush can give you an edge — from less competition to better negotiating leverage — and what that means locally as the market starts to heat up.

Read the full breakdown HERE.

For sellers, this early window can be a sweet spot. Less competition often means more attention on your home, and pricing tends to be stronger when demand begins rising before inventory fully catches up.

So while football season may be over, the spring market is just warming up. New season, new momentum, and plenty of opportunities ahead.

As always, if you want to talk strategy, timing, or what this means specifically for your neighborhood, I’m here.

~ Michael

Below is this week’s Market Report.

This week’s market data reinforces what we’re seeing on the ground across Lake County.

The key takeaway this week: sellers still have leverage, but buyers are gaining time — especially outside the most competitive price points.

Here’s a look at how the detached, attached, and luxury segments are trending this week.

If you’re thinking about selling and your home fits one of these needs, this can be a great way to test the waters quietly.

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