Chatfield MN Housing Stats Sales Data 2026
Chatfield is a city in southeastern Minnesota (Fillmore County) located approximately 25 miles south of Rochester along State Highway 52. With a population of roughly 2,800 residents, Chatfield serves as a regional hub for the surrounding agricultural communities of Fillmore and Olmsted counties, offering small-town living with reasonable access to Rochester's employment centers. The city's historic downtown, annual Western Days celebration, and strong community identity have sustained steady residential demand despite its modest size.
Key Takeaways
Chatfield's median home price of $195,000 represents one of the most affordable entry points in the Rochester commuter corridor according to Zillow
Approximately 65 annual residential transactions create a micro-market farming opportunity best suited for a single dedicated agent according to the Southeast Minnesota Association of Realtors
Owner-occupancy rate of 74% indicates a stable homeowner base with moderate turnover driven by retirement relocations and first-time buyers according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
Average listing-side commission of $5,070 per transaction requires volume-focused farming strategies to generate meaningful income according to MLS data
25-minute commute to Rochester positions Chatfield as an affordable alternative for Mayo Clinic and IBM employees seeking rural lifestyle according to Minnesota Department of Transportation
Housing Market Statistics Overview
Chatfield's housing market reflects its role as an affordable alternative to Rochester for buyers who prioritize rural character and lower housing costs. According to Zillow's Home Value Index, Chatfield's median home price of $195,000 places it significantly below Rochester ($310,000) and other Rochester-area suburbs like Kasson ($265,000) and Byron ($295,000), making it attractive to first-time buyers and downsizers on fixed incomes.
What are the current housing statistics for Chatfield MN? According to the Southeast Minnesota Association of Realtors, Chatfield recorded approximately 65 residential transactions in the most recent 12-month period, with a median sale price of $195,000 and an average days on market of 38 days. The market is characterized by limited inventory — typically fewer than 15 active listings at any given time — which creates competition among the buyer pool despite the community's small size.
| Housing Statistic | Chatfield | Fillmore County | Rochester Metro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $195,000 | $175,000 | $310,000 |
| Annual Transactions | 65 | 280 | 4,200 |
| Avg Days on Market | 38 | 42 | 24 |
| Active Listings (Avg) | 12 | 55 | 680 |
| Months of Inventory | 2.2 | 2.4 | 1.9 |
| Price per Sq Ft | $128 | $115 | $175 |
According to the Minnesota Association of Realtors, Fillmore County's housing market has experienced steady appreciation of 3.8% annually over the past three years, with Chatfield outperforming the county average at 4.2% annual appreciation. This growth reflects increasing demand from Rochester commuters seeking affordable housing options beyond the immediate metro area.
Chatfield agents who track housing statistics through automated dashboards on US Tech Automations can identify listing opportunities weeks before competitors by monitoring ownership duration triggers and pre-foreclosure indicators across their farm zones.
Sales Volume and Transaction Analysis
Understanding transaction patterns in Chatfield helps agents time their farming campaigns for maximum impact. According to the Southeast Minnesota Association of Realtors, Chatfield's 65 annual transactions follow predictable seasonal patterns that align with regional employment cycles and school calendars.
| Month | Avg Closings | Avg Sale Price | Typical Buyer Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan-Feb | 3-4 | $185,000 | Relocating professionals |
| Mar-Apr | 6-7 | $198,000 | First-time buyers |
| May-Jun | 8-9 | $205,000 | Families (school timing) |
| Jul-Aug | 7-8 | $200,000 | Summer relocations |
| Sep-Oct | 5-6 | $195,000 | Empty nesters |
| Nov-Dec | 3-4 | $188,000 | Motivated sellers |
How many homes sell in Chatfield MN annually? According to MLS data from the Southeast Minnesota Association of Realtors, Chatfield averages 65 closed residential transactions per year, with approximately 60% occurring between March and August. The peak months of May and June account for nearly 26% of all annual transactions, driven by family relocations timed to the school calendar.
According to the National Association of Realtors, micro-markets like Chatfield (under 100 annual transactions) require agents to capture a higher percentage of available business to achieve sustainable income levels. An agent who captures 15-20% market share in Chatfield would close 10-13 transactions annually — a meaningful supplement to a broader regional practice.
| Market Share Scenario | Transactions | Gross Commission | Monthly Marketing Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% Share | 6-7 | $30,420-$35,490 | $400-$600 |
| 15% Share | 10 | $50,700 | $500-$700 |
| 20% Share | 13 | $65,910 | $600-$800 |
| 25% Share (Dominant) | 16 | $81,120 | $700-$900 |
According to the National Association of Realtors 2025 Member Profile, agents who farm multiple small communities within a 30-minute radius often outperform agents who concentrate exclusively on a single micro-market. Chatfield combined with Preston, Spring Valley, and Harmony creates a viable multi-community farming territory.
Price Distribution and Housing Stock Analysis
Chatfield's housing inventory spans a relatively narrow price range compared to larger markets, but meaningful segmentation exists within the community. According to the Fillmore County Assessor's office, Chatfield's housing stock reflects the city's development history from its founding in the 1850s through modern subdivision construction.
What types of homes are available in Chatfield MN? According to the Fillmore County Assessor's records, Chatfield's housing stock includes a mix of historic homes in the city center (pre-1950), mid-century ranch-style homes in established neighborhoods (1950-1990), and newer construction in subdivisions on the city's north and east edges (2000-present).
| Price Range | Share of Sales | Avg Sq Ft | Avg Age | Typical Style |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under $150,000 | 22% | 1,100 | 65 years | Ranch, bungalow |
| $150,000-$200,000 | 35% | 1,350 | 40 years | Split-level, ranch |
| $200,000-$275,000 | 28% | 1,650 | 18 years | Two-story, bi-level |
| $275,000-$350,000 | 12% | 2,000 | 8 years | New construction |
| Above $350,000 | 3% | 2,400+ | 5 years | Custom builds |
According to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, Chatfield's housing affordability index of 142 (where 100 equals the threshold for a median-income household to qualify for a median-priced home) makes it one of the most accessible homeownership markets in the Rochester commuter corridor. This affordability drives consistent first-time buyer demand.
US Tech Automations' market analytics tools help Chatfield agents segment their farming databases by price tier, ensuring that marketing materials match the financial profile of each household within their farm zone. Agents using the US Tech Automations platform can automate price-tier-specific content delivery to maximize engagement rates.
Inventory Trends and Supply Analysis
Chatfield's limited inventory creates both challenges and opportunities for farming agents. According to the Southeast Minnesota Association of Realtors, understanding inventory dynamics helps agents identify potential sellers before they officially list.
| Inventory Metric | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 (Projected) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Active Listings (Avg) | 14 | 12 | 11 | Declining |
| New Listings per Month | 6.5 | 5.8 | 5.5 | Declining |
| Months of Inventory | 2.6 | 2.2 | 2.0 | Tightening |
| Sold-to-List Ratio | 97.8% | 98.5% | 99.0% | Strengthening |
| % Sold Above Asking | 12% | 18% | 22% | Increasing |
Is Chatfield MN a seller's market or buyer's market? According to the Southeast Minnesota Association of Realtors, Chatfield has operated as a seller's market for three consecutive years, with months of inventory consistently below 3.0. The declining new listing rate suggests that inventory constraints will intensify through 2026, giving listing agents significant leverage in pricing discussions.
According to Realtor.com, communities like Chatfield with fewer than 15 average active listings experience amplified price sensitivity to individual transactions — a single high or low sale can shift the median significantly. Agents who track every transaction in real time maintain a competitive information advantage.
According to the Fillmore County Recorder's office, approximately 6.5% of Chatfield's owner-occupied housing stock turns over annually, creating a predictable pipeline of 85-95 potential selling households that agents can identify and target through ownership-duration analysis and life-event monitoring.
Comparable Market Analysis: Chatfield vs Regional Communities
Positioning Chatfield within the broader southeastern Minnesota market helps agents communicate value to both buyers and sellers. According to the Minnesota Association of Realtors, comparable market analysis across communities reveals Chatfield's competitive positioning.
| Community | Median Price | Annual Sales | Distance to Rochester | School Rating | Appreciation (3yr avg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chatfield | $195,000 | 65 | 25 miles | B | 4.2% |
| Preston | $165,000 | 45 | 35 miles | B | 3.5% |
| Spring Valley | $155,000 | 50 | 30 miles | B- | 3.2% |
| Harmony | $148,000 | 35 | 40 miles | B | 2.8% |
| Lanesboro | $210,000 | 40 | 30 miles | B | 4.5% |
| Stewartville | $255,000 | 165 | 12 miles | B | 4.5% |
How does Chatfield compare to other Fillmore County communities? According to Zillow, Chatfield commands the highest median home price among Fillmore County cities (excluding tourism-driven Lanesboro), reflecting its proximity to Rochester and the quality of its housing stock. Chatfield's 4.2% average annual appreciation outpaces Preston, Spring Valley, and Harmony, suggesting sustained demand growth.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Chatfield's median household income of $62,500 supports homeownership at current price levels with a housing cost-to-income ratio of approximately 26%, well below the 30% affordability threshold that federal guidelines recommend.
Farming Automation for Chatfield's Micro-Market
Small-market farming in Chatfield demands efficiency-focused automation that maximizes every dollar of marketing spend. According to the National Association of Realtors 2025 Technology Survey, agents in communities under 5,000 population who implement CRM automation achieve 2.8x higher contact consistency than those relying on manual outreach.
USTA vs Competitor Platforms for Small-Market Agents
| Feature | US Tech Automations | kvCORE | BoomTown | Ylopo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Micro-Market Farming Tools | Yes — optimized for under 5K pop. | Enterprise-focused | Enterprise-focused | Lead-gen focused |
| Automated Market Reports | Per-community customization | Template-based | Not farming-specific | Not available |
| Cost per Farm Contact/Month | $0.35-$0.55 | $0.80-$1.20 | $1.00-$1.50 | N/A |
| Multi-Community Management | Yes — manage 3-5 farm zones | Limited | Limited | N/A |
| Ownership Duration Triggers | Automated alerts at 5, 7, 10 yr marks | Manual | Not available | Not available |
| Monthly Platform Cost | $$ | $$$ | $$$$ | $$$ |
The US Tech Automations platform enables Chatfield agents to manage multi-community farming operations from a single dashboard, automating the contact sequences and market reporting that would otherwise consume hours of weekly admin time in a micro-market where every transaction matters.
Step-by-Step Housing Data Monitoring System
According to the Southeast Minnesota Association of Realtors, agents who systematically monitor housing statistics outperform reactive agents by identifying trends and listing opportunities earlier.
Configure your MLS search alerts. Set up automatic notifications for all new listings, price changes, and closings within Chatfield city limits. According to MLS best practices, comprehensive monitoring ensures you never miss a market-moving transaction.
Build a transaction tracking spreadsheet. Record every Chatfield transaction with sale price, days on market, price per square foot, and buyer origin. According to the National Association of Realtors, agents who maintain detailed transaction records can provide more compelling CMAs than competitors who rely solely on MLS data.
Set up ownership-duration monitoring. Using Fillmore County Assessor data, identify homeowners who have owned their properties for 7+ years — the threshold where selling likelihood increases significantly. According to the National Association of Realtors, homeowners sell on average every 10 years.
Create monthly market reports. Produce a one-page market summary highlighting key statistics: median price, transaction volume, inventory levels, and appreciation trends. According to direct mail industry data, informational mailers achieve 3x higher retention than promotional materials.
Deploy automated CMA triggers. Configure your CRM to automatically generate comparative market analyses when comparable sales close within 0.5 miles of farm contacts. According to real estate technology consultants, automated CMAs convert at 4.2% — significantly above the 1.5% industry average for cold outreach.
Monitor pre-foreclosure and distress indicators. Track Fillmore County court records for lis pendens filings and tax delinquencies that may signal upcoming listing opportunities. According to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, early identification of distressed properties allows agents to provide counseling services that often convert to listings.
Analyze seasonal patterns quarterly. Review your transaction data against historical patterns to identify anomalies that may signal market shifts. According to the Minnesota Association of Realtors, agents who detect trend changes one quarter ahead of the market gain significant pricing advantage.
Generate year-over-year comparison reports. Produce annual housing data summaries comparing current-year statistics to prior years, highlighting trends in appreciation, inventory, and buyer demographics. According to the National Association of Realtors, year-over-year data presentations are the most requested content type by homeowner farming contacts.
Share insights through automated channels. Distribute your market data findings through email sequences, social media posts, and direct mail using US Tech Automations' multi-channel delivery system. According to the National Association of Realtors Technology Survey, automated distribution ensures consistent delivery regardless of agent workload fluctuations.
Property Tax and Ownership Cost Analysis
What are property taxes like in Chatfield MN? According to the Fillmore County Assessor's Office and Minnesota Department of Revenue, Chatfield's property tax structure is a key affordability advantage that agents should highlight in farming materials when comparing against Rochester-area alternatives.
| Ownership Cost Component | Chatfield | Rochester | Stewartville | State Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Effective Tax Rate | 1.15% | 1.28% | 1.22% | 1.12% |
| Annual Taxes (at median) | $2,243 | $3,968 | $3,111 | — |
| Homestead Market Value Exclusion | $30,400 | $30,400 | $30,400 | $30,400 |
| Monthly Tax Burden | $187 | $331 | $259 | — |
| Tax as % of Household Income | 3.6% | 4.8% | 4.2% | 3.9% |
According to the Minnesota Department of Revenue, Chatfield homeowners benefit from the state's homestead market value exclusion, which reduces taxable value by up to $30,400 for properties under $413,000 — effectively lowering the tax burden for every owner-occupied home in the community. According to the Tax Foundation, Minnesota ranks 22nd nationally in effective property tax rates, and Fillmore County's rates sit below the statewide average due to lower local government spending levels and agricultural land base that shares the tax burden.
Chatfield's annual property tax bill of $2,243 at the median home price is $1,725 less per year than Rochester's $3,968 — a savings of $144 per month that agents should incorporate into affordability comparisons when marketing to Rochester-area buyers considering the commuter lifestyle, according to Fillmore County Assessor records.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median home price in Chatfield MN in 2026? According to Zillow's Home Value Index, Chatfield's median home price is approximately $195,000 as of early 2026, representing a 4.2% increase over the prior year. This price point makes Chatfield one of the most affordable communities within commuting distance of Rochester.
How fast are homes selling in Chatfield Minnesota? According to the Southeast Minnesota Association of Realtors, the average days on market for Chatfield homes is 38 days, with well-priced properties in the $180,000-$240,000 range often selling within 25 days during peak season (April through August).
What is the property tax rate in Chatfield MN? According to the Fillmore County Assessor's office, Chatfield's effective property tax rate is approximately 1.15% of assessed market value. For a median-priced home of $195,000, annual property taxes average approximately $2,243.
How many active real estate listings are typically available in Chatfield? According to MLS data, Chatfield typically maintains between 10-15 active residential listings at any given time, with inventory peaks occurring in May-June and troughs in December-January.
Is Chatfield MN a good area for real estate investment? According to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, Chatfield's combination of affordable purchase prices, stable rental demand from Rochester-area workers, and consistent 4.2% annual appreciation creates favorable conditions for buy-and-hold investors seeking cash-flow-positive properties.
What percentage of Chatfield homes sell above asking price? According to the Southeast Minnesota Association of Realtors, approximately 22% of Chatfield homes sold above asking price in the most recent 12-month period, up from 12% two years prior. This trend reflects tightening inventory conditions and growing buyer competition.
How does Chatfield's housing market compare to Rochester MN? According to Zillow, Chatfield's median home price of $195,000 is approximately 37% below Rochester's $310,000 median. Chatfield offers significantly more affordability with the trade-off of a 25-minute commute and smaller community amenities. For buyers prioritizing space and value, Chatfield represents one of the strongest options in the Rochester corridor.
Conclusion: Leveraging Chatfield Housing Data for Farming Success
Chatfield's housing statistics reveal a market that rewards agents who combine deep local knowledge with systematic outreach. The community's 65 annual transactions, steady 4.2% appreciation, and tightening inventory conditions create an environment where the most informed agent wins the listing — not necessarily the one with the biggest advertising budget.
Agents who leverage platforms like US Tech Automations to automate their housing data monitoring, market report generation, and multi-channel distribution can maintain the consistent visibility required to dominate Chatfield's micro-market while managing farming operations across multiple southeastern Minnesota communities simultaneously.
The data is clear: Chatfield's housing market is strengthening, inventory is declining, and the agents who position themselves as the definitive source of local market intelligence will capture the lion's share of listing opportunities in 2026 and beyond.
Visit ustechautomations.com to explore farming automation tools designed for small-market agents in communities like Chatfield.
About the Author
Helping real estate agents leverage automation for geographic farming success.
