The September Rise
DC RISE REAL ESTATE
The September Rise
Elevating Dreams, Building Wealth, Enhancing Communities
A Note From Danielle
Fall is a season of change. Every year we watch the trees let go of leaves they spent months growing. They don't hold on just because they invested in them. Letting go is how they get ready for the next season of growth.
We've been applying the same idea at DC Rise. This fall we're reviewing everything we do: what's working, what isn't, and where we can serve you better. Growth takes change, and change creates growth. We're grateful to be growing alongside this community.
— Danielle
Rising Together: 2026 So Far
|
175
Closed Transactions
|
$41M+
in Sales Volume
|
| #1 in Jo Daviess County by residential properties sold | #1 in Jo Daviess County by list-to-sale ratio |
We're also the fastest-growing brokerage in Jo Daviess County. That's 175 families and investors across Illinois and Wisconsin who trusted us with one of the biggest decisions of their lives. Thank you.
Based on NWIL Alliance of Realtors MLS data, Jan 1–Sept 29, 2026
Local Market Deep Dive: Don't Let the National Headlines Fool You
National headlines are full of talk about buyer's markets, interest rates, and price reductions. But real estate is local, and here in Jo Daviess County we are still in a seller's market.
What we're seeing right now (as of September 29, 2026)
| Area | Active | Pending / Under Contract |
|---|---|---|
| The Galena Territory | 36 | 17 |
| Apple Canyon Lake | 4 | 5 |
| Jo Daviess County (outside the resort communities) | 53 | 20 |
Across most of our market, that works out to roughly two months of inventory or less, which still favors sellers. Sales are holding steady too. More homes have sold so far in 2026 than during the same period in 2025.
The trend to watch: overpriced listings
After about five years of a strong seller's market, many sellers want to push the price. More and more, we're seeing homes come to market overpriced. They sit, and sit, and eventually the price comes down.
That's why all the price reductions don't tell the real story. They reflect how homes were priced, not a market heading the wrong direction.
Pricing here is hard. We have rural acreage, resort communities, lake homes, vacation properties, short-term rentals, and neighborhoods where no two homes are alike. But the market gives us early feedback. A well-priced home should see about 5–10 showings in the first 14–21 days. If that isn't happening, the price needs a closer look.
No activity is feedback. Buyers are out there, and the number of pending sales proves it.
Did you miss your chance to sell in 2026? No.
Fall isn't the slowdown most people assume. I call October our "second spring." A strong June in Jo Daviess County might see around 30 sales, and December can come surprisingly close to that. The real seasonal dip doesn't come until January and February.
Buyers are still looking, and homes are still going under contract. What matters is coming to market with the right price, the right presentation, and the right strategy.
Thinking About Selling?
Find out what buyers are actually paying in your neighborhood, not just what homes are listed for.
Request your free pricing analysisRise Nights: Cheering On Our Athletes
Rise Nights moved into fall sports this month, and September 17 was a double-header for us: volleyball in Warren and golf with River Ridge/Scales Mound.
Rise Night Volleyball, Stockton at Warren. Showing off those Rise Night shirts!
Rise Night Golf, River Ridge/Scales Mound. Congratulations to Payton Van Lent on being recognized!
We don't just work here. We live here, raise our families here, and love supporting the kids who make this community special.
2026 Fall Rise Night Leadership Award Winners (So Far)
Congratulations to these seniors, recognized for their leadership, character, and commitment on and off the field. Each winner is now eligible to apply for the $1,000 RISE Scholarship!
| Sport | Winner | School |
|---|---|---|
| Football | Beau Podnar | Black Hawk/Warren |
| Football | Haadi Khatib | Galena |
| Football | Lucas Brenner | Stockton |
| Football | Kaden Bauer | River Ridge |
| Volleyball | Madissen Cook | Warren |
| Volleyball | Taylor Haas | Stockton |
| Golf | Payton Van Lent | Scales Mound |
| Golf | Allie Karberg | River Ridge |
Upcoming Rise Nights: Come Cheer With Us!
| Date | Matchup | Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Oct 2 | BSMS (Benton/Scales Mound/Shullsburg) at Darlington (7:00 PM) | Football |
| Tue, Oct 13 | East Dubuque at Galena (5:00 PM) | Volleyball |
| Wed, Oct 14 | River Ridge at Scales Mound (5:00 PM) | Volleyball |
Your Next Investment Might Be Closer Than You Think
As many of you know, I'm also co-owner of A&D Rise Getaways, a sister company to DC Rise Real Estate. Short-term rentals have become my niche. I love helping people become investors and build wealth. It's part of our mission: Elevating Dreams, Building Wealth, Enhancing Communities.
Why here? When you search for the top places to invest, Galena keeps showing up on the lists. Yet many people assume they need to buy a short-term rental far away, in a bigger city. The truth is, our average daily rate is significantly higher than in many of the "more obvious" places to invest. In fact, there are 4-bedroom homes in our market bringing in six figures a year.
Getting in: There are roughly 700 licensed guest accommodations in Jo Daviess County right now. You can buy a property that's already licensed or one that can be licensed, and I can help either way. We hear from a lot of out-of-area investors, and I'd love to see more locals investing in our own county.
A common misconception: Many people assume their debt-to-income ratio has to cover both their home mortgage and the investment property on their own. That isn't always the case. Many lenders can count a property's projected rental income, which can offset those numbers. And depending on the loan program, you may not need 20% down.
I subscribe to AirDNA and would be happy to walk you through the data for our market. If you or someone you know is thinking about getting into short-term rentals, please don't keep me a secret. Let's talk about next steps. Owning an investment property might be closer than you think!
Fall Home Checklist: Especially for Second-Home Owners
Before you close up for the season or head out after color weekend:
- Service your furnace and replace filters
- Clean gutters once the leaves drop
- Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses and spigots
- Check smoke and CO detectors
- Set the thermostat no lower than 55° if the home will sit empty
- Schedule snow removal now, before vendors fill up
🎃 See You at Trunk or Treat!
Grab your costumes and join us for an evening of treats and fall fun!
Open to the public, so bring the kids, the grandkids, and the neighbors. We can't wait to see you there!
Coming Up in October
| Date | Event | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 2 | Rise Night Football: BSMS at Darlington | 7:00 PM |
| Oct 10 | Trunk or Treat, Apple Canyon Lake Campground | 5:00–7:00 PM |
| Oct 13 | Rise Night Volleyball: East Dubuque at Galena | 5:00 PM |
| Oct 14 | Rise Night Volleyball: River Ridge at Scales Mound | 5:00 PM |
| Oct 31 | Galena Halloween Parade: come find the Rise float! |
The best compliment we can receive is a referral. If someone you know is thinking about buying, selling, or investing, we'd be honored to help.
DC Rise Real Estate
Woman-owned. Community-grown.
Serving Jo Daviess & Carroll Counties, IL — Galena Territory, Apple Canyon Lake & Lake Carroll — and Southwest Wisconsin
815-701-3326 | dcriserealestate.com
The Galena Territory: 5148 US Hwy 20 W, Galena, IL 61036
Apple Canyon Lake: 3505 NE Apple Canyon Rd, Apple River, IL 61001
Monroe, WI: 1105 16th Ave, Monroe, WI 53566
Elevating Dreams, Building Wealth, Enhancing Communities
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