Appleton WI › Market Report
Appleton WI Housing Market Report — 2026
Market data last updated: March 2026
TL;DR
According to Redfin (March 2026), Appleton's median sale price is $285,000 — up 5.6% year-over-year — with 45 days on market and a Compete Score of 77/100. USA Home Buyers purchases Appleton homes for cash in any condition, any situation. Written offer in 24 hours, close in 7–14 days. Call 888-274-5006.
Appleton WI Market Overview
Appleton is the county seat of Outagamie County and the largest city in the Fox Cities region. The combination of manufacturing, healthcare (Thedacare, Ascension), and educational institutions (Lawrence University) creates a stable housing market that has appreciated through economic cycles. Appleton spans three counties — Outagamie (primary/county seat), Calumet, and Winnebago — which affects which Register of Deeds, courts, and sheriff sales apply for specific properties.
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $285,000 (+5.6% YoY) | Redfin (Mar 2026) |
| Median price per sq ft | $166/sq ft (-7.8% YoY) | Redfin (Mar 2026) |
| Median days on market | 45 days | Redfin (Mar 2026) |
| Sale-to-list ratio | 100.6% | Redfin (Mar 2026) |
| Compete Score | 77 / 100 (Very Competitive) | Redfin (Mar 2026) |
| Monthly homes sold | 68 homes | Redfin (Mar 2026) |
| WI transfer fee | $3/$1,000 (0.3%), Outagamie County ROD | WI DOR / Wis. Stat. §77.22 |
| WI recording fee | $30 flat statewide | WRDA / Outagamie ROD |
| Foreclosure type | Judicial — Outagamie County Circuit Court (6–18 months) | WI Law Help / Wis. Stat. Ch. 846 |
| Sheriff sale schedule | Thursdays 9:00 a.m. — Justice Center lobby, 320 S. Walnut St., Appleton | Outagamie County Sheriff |
| County | Outagamie (primary); also Calumet and Winnebago Counties | City of Appleton |
Appleton Neighborhoods — Character Notes
| Neighborhood | Character |
|---|---|
| Erb Park | Older north/central housing; strong as-is angle for roofs, mechanicals, estate cleanouts. Median $275,000 (Mar 2026) |
| Old Third Ward | Historic/older homes; strong angle for inherited houses, deferred maintenance. Median $260,000 (Mar 2026) |
| Northwood Park | North-side competitive subdivision-style stock; good for move-up/downsize. Median ~$310–367K (Mar 2026) |
| Downtown Appleton | Walkable core near College Ave; older homes, small multifamily, code/repair stories. Median ~$205–220K (Mar 2026) |
| River Drive | River-adjacent/established stock; estate/flood/maintenance angle. Median ~$281–306K (Mar 2026) |
| Alicia Park | Higher-value central-west neighborhood; cosmetic/light-repair homes. Median $415,000 (Feb 2026) |
| City Park / Historic District | 142 contributing properties; historic housing stock; repair/preservation considerations |
Note: Neighborhood samples can be small (1–3 sales/month). Use as directional guidance only; verify current values with a licensed real estate professional. Sources: Redfin neighborhood pages, Mar 2026.
What Appleton's Market Means for As-Is Sellers
With a 100.6% sale-to-list ratio and 77/100 Compete Score, move-in-ready Appleton homes sell quickly at or near asking. But Appleton's older housing stock — bungalows and Craftsman homes in Erb Park and Old Third Ward, historic properties in City Park — often requires $15,000–$40,000+ in updates to compete on the retail market. For sellers dealing with probate timelines, foreclosure pressure, divorce, or properties with deferred maintenance, the conventional listing path is slow and expensive.
Wisconsin judicial foreclosure runs through Outagamie County Circuit Court (320 S. Walnut St., Appleton WI 54911). Probate is handled by the same Clerk of Courts (phone 920-832-5131). A direct cash sale from USA Home Buyers can close well before a probate or foreclosure timeline forces your hand.
📞 Call Now — 888-274-5006Get an Appleton WI Cash Offer
Takes 2 minutes. No obligation.