We closely track national housing data and pair it with what we’re seeing firsthand with buyers and sellers across Downers Grove and DuPage County. One recent data point worth paying attention to is the Mortgage Purchase Index, which has reached its highest level of 2025.
This is an important signal that buyer activity is picking up, even after a year defined by higher interest rates and affordability challenges. At The Glover Team, we want to make sure that our clients are informed and understand how this affects buyers and sellers.
What Is the Mortgage Purchase Index?
The Mortgage Purchase Index, published weekly by the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), measures the volume of mortgage applications submitted specifically for home purchases. Unlike refinance data, this index is a direct indicator of buyer demand.
When the index rises, it typically means more buyers are actively pursuing homeownership. In late 2025, the index climbed to its highest point of the year, signaling renewed momentum in the housing market.
Why Buyer Activity Is Increasing
Based on both national data and our local experience, a few factors are driving this increase:
Mortgage rates have stabilized.
While rates remain higher than the historic lows of recent years, they have eased from earlier 2025 highs. This has given buyers more confidence and allowed many to re-run numbers that previously didn’t work.
Pent-up demand is being released.
Many buyers spent much of the year waiting for clearer signals on rates and pricing. As expectations have become more realistic, we’re seeing buyers move forward rather than continue to wait on the sidelines.
Serious buyers are adjusting, not retreating.
Today’s buyers are more strategic. Instead of stepping out of the market, many are adjusting price points, considering different neighborhoods, or using creative financing strategies to make a purchase work.
What This Means for Sellers
An increase in the Mortgage Purchase Index is encouraging news for homeowners considering a sale.
More purchase applications typically lead to:
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Increased showing activity
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Stronger buyer competition for well-priced homes
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Greater confidence among qualified buyers
Inventory remains limited in many DuPage County communities, including Downers Grove, Lisle, Lombard, and Glen Ellyn. When buyer demand increases in a low-inventory environment, sellers who price and prepare their homes correctly are often well positioned.
What Buyers Should Take Away
For buyers, this data confirms something we’ve been advising all year: competition hasn’t disappeared, it has simply become more selective.
Buyers who are prepared with:
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A strong pre-approval
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Clear budget expectations
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Flexibility on timing or location
are in the best position to succeed. As more buyers re-enter the market, being proactive matters more than ever.
Our Local Perspective
National data provides helpful context, but real estate decisions are always local. In our day-to-day work across DuPage County, we are seeing:
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Increased showing requests
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More buyers actively touring homes
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Greater urgency among buyers who waited earlier in the year
The Mortgage Purchase Index reaching a 2025 high aligns closely with what we’re seeing on the ground.
Looking Ahead
The rise in the Mortgage Purchase Index is a clear indicator that buyer activity is strengthening as we head into 2026. For sellers, this could be a strategic window to list while demand is building. For buyers, it’s a reminder that preparation and timing are critical in a market that is gaining momentum.
At The Glover Team, our role is to help our clients interpret these trends through a local lens and create a strategy that fits their specific goals.
If you’re considering buying or selling and want to understand how today’s market data applies to your situation, we’re here to help.
