Published October 9, 2026 in Market Update

One part of this market is moving much faster than the rest

By April Aberle, REALTOR® | RE/MAX Crossroads Realty

Real estate, Santa Fe/Alvin

Not every part of this market is playing by the same rules right now. The Real Estate Data Aggregator counted homes across Santa Fe and Alvin for the three months ending August 31, 2026, and the gap between ZIP codes is real enough to change your plan.

The speed gap is the story

ZIP 77517, which covers part of Santa Fe, had a median of 15 days on market, according to the Real Estate Data Aggregator. That is 44 days shorter than the same period a year before. Half of all homes there went under contract within two weeks of listing. That share jumped 30 points year over year.

ZIP 77511, which covers most of Alvin, told a different story. The Real Estate Data Aggregator put the median days on market there at 49 days. Only 19.5% of homes went under contract within two weeks, and that share fell 6 points compared with last year.

What is driving the speed in 77517

The Real Estate Data Aggregator counted only 17 homes sold in 77517 during those three months, down 48.5% from a year before. Fewer homes sold, but the ones that did moved fast. Inventory there fell 40% year over year, to just 30 homes for sale. When there is less to choose from, buyers move quickly on what is there.

One detail worth noting: even with fast sales, the median price in 77517 fell 6.3% year over year to $370,000, the Real Estate Data Aggregator shows. Speed and price do not always move together.

Alvin is steadier, not struggling

ZIP 77511 is the busiest part of this market by volume. The Real Estate Data Aggregator counted 154 homes sold there in the three months ending August 31, 2026, up 12.4% from the year before. The median sale price rose 5.2% to $299,863. Sellers got an average of 98.1% of their list price.

Pending sales in 77511 fell 18.1% year over year, though. That is a number worth watching. More homes sold, but fewer are going under contract right now. It is not alarming, but it is a reason to price carefully.

ZIP 77510 sits in the middle

ZIP 77510 covers another part of Santa Fe and nearby areas. The Real Estate Data Aggregator put the median sale price there at $330,000, up just 0.5% from a year before. Homes sold in 54 days on average, but that was 17 days faster than the same period last year. Inventory fell 25.6% year over year, to 90 homes for sale.

The national picture adds some context

Nationally, Realtor.com reported that active listings grew 5.5% year over year in September 2026, reaching 1.16 million homes. More supply nationally can soften buyer urgency. But as this market shows, what is true nationally is not always true street by street.

Realtor.com also reported that mortgage rates topped 7% in September 2026, the first time since January 2025. CNBC reported the average contract rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage reached 7.49% as of October 7, 2026. Higher rates slow some buyers down, which can stretch days on market in already slower ZIP codes.

Realtor.com noted that 20.8% of listings nationally had price reductions in September 2026, the highest share since October 2022. That is a national figure, not a local one. But it is a signal that overpriced homes are sitting longer just about everywhere.

What this means for buyers and sellers here

If you are selling in 77517, the data suggests well-priced homes are finding buyers quickly. Half went under contract in two weeks. But volume is thin, with only 17 homes sold. A small pool can move fast and still be unpredictable.

If you are selling in 77511, you have more company. There are 215 homes for sale right now, the Real Estate Data Aggregator says. Buyers have options. Pricing close to market value matters more when there is real competition on the same street.

For buyers, the pace in 77517 means you may need to decide faster. In 77511 and 77510, you likely have a little more room to think. But rates at 7.49% (CNBC, October 7, 2026) change the math on what you can afford, no matter which ZIP you are in.

One more thing: the Real Estate Data Aggregator covers ZIP codes, not individual streets. A single block can read very differently from the ZIP code around it. If you want to know what is happening right where you are, the ZIP code numbers are the starting point, not the final answer.