The Real Story for Mauston, New Lisbon, and Tomah By Sally Luehman, Broker-Owner of REMAX RealPros

If you’ve been following the news, you’ve probably seen headlines asking whether the housing market is slowing down or if home prices are starting to fall.

It’s a fair question.

Buyers and sellers across Mauston, New Lisbon, and Tomah are asking me the same thing:

“Are home prices dropping in Wisconsin?”

The short answer is no — not in most parts of Wisconsin. But the market is definitely evolving, and understanding the local numbers tells the real story.

Wisconsin Home Prices Are Still Rising

Across Wisconsin, home prices have continued to grow.

Recent housing data shows:

• The median home price in Wisconsin reached about $315,000 in early 2026, up nearly 7.9% from the previous year.

• The average home value statewide is about $318,000, rising roughly 4–5% year-over-year.

• Even with fewer transactions, prices remain strong due to limited supply.

In fact, analysts say the Midwest — including Wisconsin — is actually one of the stronger housing markets in the country right now because homes are still relatively affordable compared to coastal states.

So while some areas of the U.S. are seeing small price corrections, Wisconsin has largely remained stable or growing.

What’s Happening in South Central Wisconsin?

When we zoom in closer to Juneau County and surrounding communities, the trend becomes even clearer.

Recent market data shows:

• The median sale price in Juneau County reached about $277,000, up 12.3% from last year.

• The average home value in the county is about $244,996, rising 9.4% in the past year.

That’s strong growth for a rural market.

But the story isn’t just about price appreciation.

It’s also about inventory shortages.

The Real Issue: Not Enough Homes for Sale

One of the biggest challenges in the Mauston, New Lisbon, and Tomah markets is the lack of available homes.

Across Wisconsin:

• New listings dropped significantly in some months.

• Total housing supply has been running around 3.3 months of inventory, which is still considered a seller’s market.

A balanced market usually has about six months of inventory, so we’re still far below that level.

What does that mean locally?

Certain price ranges are very under-represented.

In our market we consistently see shortages of:

• Homes under $200,000
• Updated homes in the $250,000 – $350,000 range
• Lake area homes under $500,000

Those are some of the most searched price points by buyers moving into the area.

Why the Midwest Is Staying Strong

One reason Wisconsin markets like ours continue to hold their value is affordability.

Compared with high-cost states, buyers relocating from other regions often see our market as a bargain.

Other factors helping our region include:

• Smaller communities with stable employment

• Continued interest in lake property and recreation areas

• Remote workers moving to more affordable areas

All of these factors help keep demand steady.

What This Means for Sellers in Mauston, New Lisbon, and Tomah

If you’re a homeowner thinking about selling, this is important to understand:

Your home has likely gained value over the past several years.

However, the market has shifted slightly from the frenzy of 2021-2022.

Homes that sell quickly today typically have:

✔ Correct pricing
✔ Professional marketing
✔ Strong online exposure

At RE/MAX RealPros, we’ve adapted our marketing strategy to match the modern market.

For sellers, we now use:

• professional photography

• drone video

• floor plans

• 360° virtual tours

• Facebook Marketplace exposure across 30+ groups

• national and international advertising through RE/MAX

Because in today’s market, strategy matters more than ever.

What Buyers Should Know

Buyers today may notice the market feels slightly different.

Compared to a few years ago, there are:

• fewer bidding wars

• slightly more negotiating power

• occasional seller concessions

But waiting for a major price crash probably isn’t realistic.

Most housing economists expect modest price growth rather than major declines over the next several years.

My Perspective After Nearly 30 Years in Real Estate

I’ve worked through every type of market:

• The boom years
• The 2008 crash
• The pandemic housing surge
• Today’s more balanced market

And one thing never changes:

Real estate is local.

The national headlines rarely reflect what’s actually happening in Mauston, New Lisbon, Tomah, and the Castle Rock Lake area.

That’s why working with a local expert who understands your market is so important.

Thinking About Selling Your Home?

If you’re curious what your home might be worth in today’s market, we created a quick two-page guide for local homeowners.

Download it here:

“5 Things Every South Central Wisconsin Home Seller Should Know Before Listing.”

Inside you’ll learn:

• what buyers in our market are looking for
• the price ranges that sell fastest
• how to prepare your home for maximum value
• why online marketing is critical today
• how to avoid the most common pricing mistakes

Let’s Talk About Your Next Move

If you’re thinking about buying or selling in:

• Mauston

• New Lisbon

• Tomah

• Castle Rock Lake

• Juneau County

My team at REMAX RealPros would love to help. Give us a call at the office 608-254-9488. Or email at wearerealpros@gmail.com.

Sally Luehman
Broker-Owner | REMAX RealPros
Make Your Move.