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What Effect is CWD Having on Real Estate Prices in the Midwest?
Posted: 5/20/2025
What Effect is CWD Having on Real Estate Prices in the Midwest?
Author: Chad Garteski
One of the most common questions I’ve been asked over the past few years is: “What effect is CWD having on hunting land values?”
Let’s dive into it.
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has definitely made headlines, and yes—it’s on the minds of many. But in my experience, only a small percentage of buyers are letting it influence their decisions in a major way. I’d estimate that about 5% of the prospective buyers I’ve spoken with have been concerned enough about CWD to hold off on making an offer on a property they otherwise liked.
So, how does that concern translate into pricing?
It may account for a modest price difference—especially on properties where deer hunting is the primary intended use. But even for those buyers, hunting is just one piece of the puzzle. Other factors like access, building entitlements, timber quality, tillable acres, location, and overall property layout remain the key drivers of market value.
We haven’t seen a flood of sellers rushing to offload land in known CWD zones. If that were the case, we might be having a very different conversation about pricing trends. Instead, most landowners seem to be taking a “wait and see” approach. With so many unknowns about the long-term effects of CWD, there’s still plenty of confidence in the market.
In short: Yes, CWD is a concern. But so far, it hasn’t had a major impact on pricing. In fact, demand still outweighs supply, and until that changes, I don’t expect we’ll see prices drop.
Have questions or want to talk more about how this might impact your property? I’m always happy to chat.
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