Waushara County is still a seller’s market, but higher mortgage rates are slowing buyers down as we head into fall. Here’s a plain-language look at where things stand, from The Ellickson Agency in Wautoma.
The Quick Version
- About 41 homes sold in the county over the past month (mid-September to mid-October). There are about 171 homes for sale right now, with an average asking price of about $354,000.
- The median sale price over the last 3 reported months was about $314,000, down 6% from a year ago. Price per square foot was up 10% over the same stretch, so smaller homes selling is pulling the median down more than values are.
- Statewide, August home sales were down 8.3% from last year, and Central Wisconsin was down 12% to 15%. The state median price rose 7.1% to $362,000.
- Mortgage rates climbed to about 7.4% in early October, up from 6.3% a year ago. That is the biggest thing buyers are dealing with right now.
A note on the data: the Wisconsin REALTORS Association releases county numbers for September around October 22, so a true September vs. August county comparison isn’t available yet. The numbers below are the most recent published for each item, with the date they cover.
Key Numbers
| Measure | Latest Figure | Period | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homes sold (county) | 41 | Past month (to mid-Oct 2026) | Not published yet |
| Homes sold (county) | 36 | June 2026 | Up 27.3% from June 2025 |
| Active listings (county) | 171 | October 2026 snapshot | First month tracked |
| Average list price (county) | $354,438 | October 2026 snapshot | First month tracked |
| Median sale price (county) | $314,114 | 3 months to June 2026 | Down 6.1% from a year ago |
| Sale price per sq ft (county) | $206 | June 2026 | Up 10.2% from a year ago |
| List price per sq ft (county) | $239 | October 2026 snapshot | First month tracked |
| Median sale price (Wisconsin) | $362,000 | August 2026 | Up 7.1% from Aug 2025 |
| Home sales (Wisconsin) | Down 8.3% | August 2026 | Compared to Aug 2025 |
| Home sales (Central WI) | Down 12% to 15% | August 2026 | Compared to Aug 2025 |
| 30-year mortgage rate | 7.4% | October 8, 2026 | Up from 6.3% a year ago |
Waushara is a small market with roughly 40 sales a month. A few lake or high-end sales in one month can move the median by tens of thousands of dollars, so watch the trend over several months.
What It Means for Buyers
Buyers have more room to negotiate this fall than they did over the summer.
- Sales are slowing statewide and in Central Wisconsin. About 22% of county listings had a price cut this summer, up 8.5 points from a year ago.
- Homes sold for about 97.6% of list price on average, and only about 1 in 4 sold over asking.
- Rates are the main hurdle. At about 7.4%, the payment on a $300,000 loan is roughly $220 a month more than at last year’s 6.3%. Getting pre-approved and comparing lenders matters more than usual.
- There’s a good selection under $300,000. Recent sales include plenty of 2 and 3 bedroom homes in Wautoma, Wild Rose, Hancock and Fremont between $150,000 and $300,000.
What It Means for Sellers
Homes are still selling, but pricing it right from the start matters more now than it did in the spring.
- Current listings are asking about $239 per square foot on average, but recent sales closed around $206. The homes priced too high are the ones sitting.
- Plan on it taking a while. The typical home took about 47 days to sell this summer, and today’s listings have been on the market about 102 days on average.
- Values are still up. Price per square foot is about 10% higher than a year ago, so most owners have gained equity.
- Winter usually brings fewer buyers. With rates near 7.4%, sellers who list now should be ready to negotiate on price, closing costs or a rate buydown.
Other Trends Worth Watching
- Mortgage rates are going up again: 7.4% on October 8, up from 7.28% the week before and 6.3% a year ago. Wisconsin affordability is at its lowest point since the state started tracking it in 2009.
- Statewide there is about 4.4 months of inventory. Anything under 6 months is still considered a seller’s market. Total listings are up 1.6% from last year.
- Recent county sales ranged from $70,000 to $920,000. Most of the sales over $550,000 were around Wautoma, Redgranite, Pine River, Hancock and Westfield.
- The official WRA county numbers for September should be out around October 22 and will be in next month’s report.
Thinking About Buying or Selling?
Every home and every neighborhood is a little different from the county averages. If you’d like to know what this means for your home or your search, give The Ellickson Agency a call at 920-240-5439 or email weston@ellicksonagency.com.
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