If you’re planning to buy a home in Lake County, Illinois this year — whether you’re looking in Grayslake, Fox Lake, Libertyville, Gurnee, or nearby North Shore communities — you may already be focused on the spring market.

And you’re probably hoping that when spring hits, you’ll see:

But here’s what many Lake County home buyers don’t realize. Buying just a few weeks earlier could mean paying less, dealing with less stress, and having more leverage in negotiations.

Here are three reasons why accelerating your timeline slightly — before the spring rush — could actually be the smarter move in today’s Lake County real estate market.

A lot of buyers are hoping mortgage rates will fall even further. But that’s not the best strategy. Here’s why. Experts are pretty aligned on this: rates are expected to stay roughly where they are.

Forecasts throughout the industry all point to the same thing: rates are projected to be in the low-6% range this year (see graph below): 

That's not a bad thing, especially if you consider how much rates have already come down. Over the past 12 months, they’ve dropped roughly a full percentage point. And for many buyers, that means affordability has already improved more than they may realize. 

So why wait a few more weeks just for more buyers to jump in and act as your competition? You already have a window right now. As Chen Zhao, Head of Economics Research at Redfin, explains:

Speaking of competition, the spring market is popular for a reason, but with popularity comes pressure. With more buyers active at that time of year, you’ll have to move faster once you find a home you like. And no one likes feeling rushed.

But buy now and you have more time to browse. Fewer people are looking, so homes sit longer.

You can see this play out in the data from Realtor.com (see graph below). In winter months, it takes an average of about 70 days for a home to sell. In spring? That drops to about 50 days. That’s a 20-day swing – and that pace is going to be more stressful.

Homes sell faster in the spring, and slower in the winter. And that can be a worthwhile perk for buyers who want to get ahead before their decisions start to feel rushed.

And here’s something most buyers forget to factor in. Prices usually respond to demand. So, when demand is higher, prices are too. Bankrate explains:

In fact, data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that in 2025, buyers who purchased in the beginning of the year saved roughly $30,000–$35,000 compared to those who bought when prices peaked in the spring or early summer.

And let’s be honest, for a lot of buyers today, every little bit of savings helps. That’s why buying just a few weeks earlier, before prices ramp up, will be better for you and your wallet.

Buying a home before spring isn’t about rushing. It’s about positioning yourself ahead of the curve.

For buyers in Lake County, Illinois, purchasing earlier can mean more leverage, less stress, and meaningful savings before competition ramps up.

If you’re thinking about buying in Grayslake, Vernon HIlls, Libertyville, or anywhere nearby, having a clear plan matters.

Text “HOME” to (224) 544-9080 — no pressure. Clear guidance, honest advice.