Northern Michigan Real Estate Market Update: June 2026

07.13.2026

By Heather Sauer

Home Prices Continue to Rise While Buyers Gain More Opportunities

The Northern Michigan real estate market continues to show strength as we move through the summer season. While home sales remained relatively steady compared to last year, home values continued their upward trend across much of the region, highlighting the continued demand for Northern Michigan properties. June 2026 market data from Aspire North REALTORS® shows a market that is becoming more balanced, with buyers seeing slightly more opportunities while sellers continue to benefit from strong home values.

Five-County Market at a Glance

Across Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Benzie, Antrim, and Kalkaska counties:

273 homes sold in June 2026, compared to 282 in June 2025.
Average sales price increased to $674,659, up more than 22% year-over-year.
Median sales price climbed to $475,000, an increase of nearly 10% from last June.
Homes averaged 67 days on market, a slight improvement from 70 days in June 2025.

While the number of homes sold dipped slightly, buyers continued to purchase higher-priced homes, pushing both average and median prices to new highs.

Luxury Market Continues to Drive Growth

One of the biggest stories this month was continued strength in the luxury market.

During June:

44 homes sold for over $1 million, compared to 29 during the same month last year.
Sales between $500,000 and $999,999 remained strong with 83 transactions.
Nearly one-third of all homes sold in the five-county region were priced above $500,000.

This continued demand for premium properties helped push overall market values higher throughout the region.

Leelanau County Remains One of Michigan's Strongest Markets

Leelanau County continues to stand apart as one of Northern Michigan's premier real estate markets.

For June 2026:

57 homes sold
Average sales price exceeded $1 million ($1,048,573)
Median sales price reached $740,000
Nearly $60 million in residential sales occurred during the month.

Year-to-date, Leelanau County has recorded:

151 residential sales
$138.3 million in total sales volume
An average sales price of $916,213, representing continued appreciation over recent years.

These numbers reinforce Leelanau County's reputation as one of Michigan's most desirable waterfront and vacation home destinations.

Two-County Market Shows Increased Activity

In Wexford and Missaukee counties, the market experienced increased transaction volume while maintaining healthy pricing.

Compared to June 2025:

Sales increased from 55 to 66 homes
Total sales volume grew to nearly $16.9 million
Homes sold in an average of 56 days, improving from 59 days last year.

Average sales price decreased slightly to $255,657, while the median sales price settled at $230,200, reflecting increased activity in more affordable price ranges.

This suggests these counties continue to offer attractive opportunities for first-time buyers and buyers seeking more affordable housing options within Northern Michigan.

Year-to-Date Trends

Looking beyond June, the overall market continues to demonstrate long-term strength.

Through the first six months of 2026:

1,065 residential properties have sold across the five-county region.
Average sales price has risen to $588,491.
Median sales price has increased to $420,000.
Residential dollar volume remains strong at nearly $595 million.

Although transaction volume has moderated from the peak pandemic years, pricing remains historically strong, indicating a healthier and more sustainable market.

What This Means for Buyers and Sellers

The June market reflects a gradual shift toward a more balanced real estate environment.

For sellers, strong home values continue to create excellent opportunities, particularly for well-priced homes in desirable locations.

For buyers, slightly longer marketing times and a modest slowdown in overall sales provide more opportunities to shop, negotiate, and make thoughtful purchasing decisions than we've seen over the past several years.

Overall, Northern Michigan's real estate market remains healthy, resilient, and attractive for both year-round residents and those seeking vacation or investment properties.

Market data provided by Aspire North REALTORS® Multiple Listing Service and reflects residential sales activity through June 2026. Statistics are intended to provide a snapshot of market conditions and should not be interpreted as an appraisal or guarantee of future market performance.

Full Reports:

Heather Sauer

Heather Sauer is the Human Resource Manager for Aspire North Realtors, bringing a strong background in human resources, leadership, and business strategy. She began her career in retail management while earning her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Northwood University, later transitioning into human resources at Target, where she served as an Executive Team Leader of Human Resources. During this time, she earned her MBA from the Northwood University DeVos Graduate School.

After relocating to Traverse City, Michigan, Heather continued her HR career with a Professional Employer Organization (PEO), managing more than 30 client accounts and partnering closely with leadership teams on employee relations, compliance, and organizational development. In the fall of 2023, she expanded her professional experience into business development and entrepreneurship.

In addition to her role at Aspire North Realtors, Heather is also an independent travel agent, helping individuals, families, and groups plan seamless, memorable travel experiences. Her passion for service, organization, and relationship-building carries through both her HR and travel work.