Published October 11, 2026 in Market Update

Some parts of Primary market are moving much faster than others

By Becky Jackson

Real estate, Slabtown & Hillside

The biggest thing to know right now: speed varies a lot by ZIP code. The Real Estate Data Aggregator counted a median of 18 days on market in 97225, versus 69 days in 97201, for the three months ending August 31, 2026. That 51-day gap means your strategy should match your ZIP, not the market as a whole.

How fast each ZIP code is moving

97225 and 97219 are the fastest-moving ZIP codes. The Real Estate Data Aggregator found median days on market of 18 and 19, respectively. Both are also moving faster than a year ago: 9 days shorter in 97225 and 4 days shorter in 97219.

97201 and 97209 are the slowest. The Real Estate Data Aggregator recorded 69 days in 97201 and 64 days in 97209. Both did improve from a year ago, by 12 and 14 days respectively. But sellers there still need patience and sharp pricing.

Realtor.com reported that homes nationally are spending fewer days on market than a year ago. That trend holds in most of Primary market, but the pace differs sharply from one ZIP to the next.

How quickly homes go under contract

In 97219, the Real Estate Data Aggregator found that 43.3% of homes went under contract within two weeks of listing. In 97209, that share was only 12.8%. If you are buying in 97219 or 97225, you may need to move quickly. If you are buying in 97201 or 97209, you likely have more time to decide.

Prices and supply tell a mixed story

97225 had only 2.9 months of supply, the tightest of any ZIP, per the Real Estate Data Aggregator. That limited inventory helps explain the fast pace there. 97209 had 7.6 months of supply, the loosest, which gives buyers more room.

Prices dipped a little in some ZIPs. The Real Estate Data Aggregator showed the median sale price in 97225 fell 9.1% from a year ago, to $720,000. In 97210, it fell 5.7%, to $849,000. Not every ZIP followed that pattern: 97221 rose 9.2%, to $846,500, and 97201 rose 7.9%, to $439,000.

The wider picture

Across all eight ZIP codes, the Real Estate Data Aggregator counted 863 homes sold and 914 pending sales. Both figures are up from a year ago. Inventory fell 9.2%, which is part of why some ZIPs are moving so fast.

Freddie Mac put the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate at 7.40% as of October 8, 2026. That is a cost buyers are working with right now. Realtor.com noted that rate reached its highest level in nearly three years last week, at 7.28%.

The National Association of Realtors reported that existing-home sales fell 2.0% month over month in August 2026. But sales are still up 1.6% year-to-date through the first eight months of 2026.

One more thing worth knowing: these numbers cover whole ZIP codes. One street can read very differently from the ZIP it sits in. Reach out and I can tell you what is happening closer to your address.