December 2025 Dane County Real Estate Stats: What Buyers and Sellers Should Know
Wondering how the Madison-area housing market wrapped up the year and what it means as we head into the spring market?
December real estate data for Dane County offers a clear snapshot of a market that is steady, competitive in pockets, and showing early signs of seasonal transition. Below is a breakdown of the key December stats and how they may impact buyers and sellers moving into the new year.
New Listings: Inventory Is Still Limited
In December, Dane County saw 188 new single-family home listings, including 42 delayed listings, compared to 156 new listings in December of the previous year. That represents an 18% increase year over year, though overall inventory remains historically low.
For context, in July 2022 the market saw more than 500 new listings in a single month, which highlights just how tight supply still is heading into 2026.
Closed Sales and Competition Levels
A total of 386 homes closed in December, up from 352 the year prior. Roughly 21% of those sales involved multiple offers, down slightly from 24% last December.
This suggests that while competition hasn’t disappeared, it is more concentrated in well-priced and well-prepared listings rather than across the entire market.
Cash Offers Continue to Decline
Cash offers accounted for 18% of accepted offers in December, with 26% of competing offers involving cash. However, only 13% of total sales actually closed as cash transactions.
This ongoing decline in cash activity is helping create more opportunity for financed buyers, especially those who are well-prepared and working with a strong lending partner.
Sale Prices and Over-List Trends
In competitive situations, the average list price was $495,000 and the average sale price came in at $500,000. Median prices were nearly identical, with a median list price of $439,000 and a median sale price of $440,000.
Across all December sales, the average sale price was $517,000 compared to an average list price of $525,000. On average, homes sold for about 1% under list price in competitive situations.
While some buyers are still paying 3–5% over list in select cases, that trend softened toward the end of the year and is expected to heat back up as spring approaches.
Bottom line
December closed out the year with steady activity, modest competition, and pricing that rewarded well-positioned buyers and sellers alike. As inventory remains limited and seasonal demand ramps up, early 2026 is likely to bring renewed competition, especially for homes that are priced and presented strategically.
What does this mean for you?
If you’re planning to buy or sell in Madison or Dane County this year, understanding how these trends apply to your specific situation is key.
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