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Quad-Cities Real Estate: Slowdown, Not Collapse

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2026/01/2 .. ad-cities-real-estate-slowdown-not-collapse.html
  Published in House and Home on Sunday, January 25th 2026 at 10:56 GMT by Quad-City Times
      Locale: UNITED STATES

Quad-Cities, Iowa/Illinois - January 25th, 2026 - The Quad-Cities region's real estate market is experiencing a noticeable slowdown, but local experts are quick to reassure residents that it's a cooling period rather than a looming collapse. While the frenzied pace of recent years has subsided, the market remains comparatively robust when viewed against historical benchmarks. This report, compiled from recent market data and insights from local real estate professionals, examines the current state of the Quad-Cities housing landscape and what buyers and sellers can anticipate in the coming months.

Inventory and Sales: A Shifting Landscape

The most immediately apparent change is the increased inventory. As of late 2023, there were 1,367 homes listed for sale, a significant jump from the 943 properties available in November 2022. This shift toward a more balanced market is a direct consequence of a deceleration in sales. The number of homes sold in November 2023 totaled 311, considerably lower than the 416 sales recorded during the same period in 2022. While this indicates a dip in buyer activity, it doesn't necessarily signal a crisis. Experts attribute this decline primarily to external factors, most notably rising interest rates.

Price Stability: A Key Indicator of Resilience

Despite the altered sales volume and increased inventory, home prices in the Quad-Cities area have demonstrated surprising resilience. The median sales price remains remarkably stable, hovering around $249,900 in November 2023, a marginal increase compared to $247,700 in November 2022. This price stability is widely attributed to the consistent demand for housing in the region, coupled with a limited supply of new construction. The lack of new builds, a persistent challenge in the Quad-Cities, continues to support existing home values.

The Impact of Interest Rates

The prevailing sentiment among local real estate professionals centers on the influence of interest rates. The rise in mortgage rates, which peaked around 7.4 percent in mid-December 2023 (according to Freddie Mac data), has undoubtedly dampened buyer enthusiasm and affordability. Higher rates mean increased monthly payments, effectively reducing the pool of potential buyers who can qualify for a mortgage. "Interest rates have definitely put a damper on the market," acknowledged Mark Ruhl, CEO of Ruhl & Associates, reflecting the common view within the industry. Analysts believe that future market performance will be heavily influenced by the trajectory of interest rates in the coming year. While some predictions indicate a possible stabilization or slight decrease, significant fluctuations remain possible.

A Historically Stable Market

The Quad-Cities region has long been recognized for its relative stability in the real estate sector. Unlike markets that experience dramatic booms and busts, the Quad-Cities has consistently demonstrated a more measured and predictable pattern. "The Quad-Cities market has always been pretty stable," Brian Goodfellow of Ruhl & Associates observed. This inherent stability, underpinned by a strong local economy and consistent demand, suggests that any future cooling will be gradual rather than abrupt.

Looking Ahead: A Measured Approach

While a full recovery to the intensity of the previous years isn't anticipated, local experts don't foresee a major downturn. The current cooling period is viewed as a return to a more sustainable and balanced market. Sellers should adjust expectations and be prepared for homes to remain on the market for longer periods. Buyers, on the other hand, may find themselves with more negotiating power and a wider selection of available properties. The key takeaway is that the Quad-Cities real estate market, while evolving, remains fundamentally strong and poised for continued, albeit tempered, growth.