Bidding wars by price tier
23W266 Windsor Dr, Glen Ellyn
150.1%of list121 Brighton Dr, Wheaton
125.5%of listUnder $500K: each town's biggest bidding war
1,060 sales listed under $500K across all 11 areas
$500K and up: each town's biggest bidding war
2,233 sales listed at $500K or more across all 11 areas
The million-dollar club
2026 detached sales of $1M or more, by area · 435 total
St. Charles includes Campton Hills (area 174). Wayne is area 184. Bidding-war rankings exclude new construction and build-to-order sales (contract more than 120 days before closing). Rankings reflect each area's highest individual sale-to-list result, not the typical market average. Price tiers use list price, not final sale price.
What the 2026 bidding wars tell us about the western suburban real estate market
Real estate markets in Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Naperville, and the surrounding western suburbs don't all behave the same way. Looking at the largest premiums paid over asking price in 2026 shows how much competition certain individual properties attracted, even though these record-setting transactions are not representative of every home sale.
Among the 11 markets reviewed, the largest percentage premium on a home listed under $500,000 occurred at 23W266 Windsor Drive in Glen Ellyn. Listed at $249,900, it closed for $375,000, or 150.1% of asking, in four days. For properties listed at $500,000 and above, 121 Brighton Drive in Wheaton led at 125.5% of asking. Its $280,000 premium was also the largest dollar increase in this comparison.
Why list price matters
The rankings use the price at which buyers encountered a listing. For example, 27W359 Aspen Court in Winfield was listed at $474,900 and sold for $545,000. It stays in the under-$500,000 category because its asking price placed it in that buyer search range.
Where million-dollar homes sold
Naperville accounted for 209 of 435 sales of $1 million or more across these 11 markets, nearly 48%. Glen Ellyn followed with 69, St. Charles/Campton Hills with 58, and Wheaton with 52. Wayne recorded nine despite its smaller overall market, while West Chicago and Carol Stream recorded none during the period.
What buyers should take away
These are exceptional sales, not a prediction that every home will sell over asking. A strong offer should be based on recent comparable sales, property condition, financing, and the specific competition for that listing. A very high percentage over asking can also reflect an intentionally low list price.
What sellers should take away
Strategic pricing, presentation, and exposure matter. The right listing can draw strong interest in any season, but results vary significantly by neighborhood, property condition, and price range. A market analysis should focus on comparable homes rather than a single headline sale.
Frequently asked questions about western suburban home sales
Which suburb had the biggest bidding war in this report?
Glen Ellyn had the largest percentage premium for a detached home listed below $500,000, while Wheaton led the $500,000-and-above category.
Which western suburb sold the most million-dollar homes in 2026?
Naperville led the 11 markets in this analysis with 209 detached closings of at least $1 million through November 10, 2026.
Does a home selling over asking mean prices are rising everywhere?
No. A sale-to-list ratio compares a closing price with an asking price, not with the home's prior market value. Broader price trends require comparisons of similar properties over time.
Explore local real estate markets
For neighborhood-specific listings, home values, and market reports, explore the local resources below.
About Joe Soto
Joe Soto is a Wheaton-area real estate agent with RE/MAX Suburban and The Lance Kammes Team. With more than 13 years of experience and $200 million-plus in individual career sales volume, Joe works with buyers and sellers throughout DuPage County and the western suburbs.
