Waupaca Chain O’ Lakes Property Sales Ahead of 2025

Property sales on the Waupaca Chain O’ Lakes are off to a strong start in 2026 and are already running ahead of last year’s pace.

In all of 2025, there were 10 Waupaca Chain property transactions. In 2026, as of September 1, 10 properties have already changed hands, with two additional properties currently under contract and waiting to close. If those transactions close as expected, 2026 will surpass the total number of Waupaca Chain sales recorded during all of 2025.

Looking Back at the COVID Years

The sales numbers from the COVID period tell an interesting story about the Waupaca Chain real estate market:

• 2020 — 32 transactions

• 2021 — 20 transactions

• 2022 — 7 transactions

In 2020, demand for Waupaca Chain O’ Lakes property was extraordinary. Virtually everything available for sale was being purchased, resulting in 32 transactions that year.

But that buying activity created another problem: inventory was rapidly disappearing.

By 2021, the number of transactions dropped to 20—not necessarily because buyers had lost interest, but because there simply weren't as many properties available to purchase. By 2022, sales dropped even further to only seven transactions as available waterfront inventory remained extremely limited.

That distinction is important when looking at historical waterfront sales numbers. Fewer transactions don't always mean less demand. On a market as unique and limited as the Waupaca Chain O’ Lakes, the number of sales can be heavily influenced by how many owners actually decide to put their properties on the market.

2026 Is Already Showing Strength

With 10 closed transactions by September 1 and two more properties under contract, 2026 is shaping up to be a more active year for Waupaca Chain real estate than 2025.

The accompanying graph shows just how dramatically transaction volume has changed—from the exceptional activity of the early COVID years, through the inventory shortage that followed, to where the market stands today.

For Waupaca Chain property owners, buyers and sellers, I'll continue tracking these sales throughout the year and reporting on what is actually happening in our local waterfront market.

Steve Huhta
Waterfront Real Estate Specialist | eXp Realty
20 Years Waterfront Real Estate Experience | 50+ Waterfront Transactions
920-889-9989 | [email protected]