Published October 4, 2026 in Market Update

Some parts of this market are moving faster than others

By April Aberle

Real estate, Katy/Spring/Cypress Buy Box

Rates are sitting above 7%. CNBC reported the average 30-year fixed rate at 7.30% as of September 30, 2026, and Realtor.com confirmed rates crossed that same threshold for the first time since January 2025. Buyers are being careful about where they spend. And in this market, that care shows up clearly in the numbers.

The Real Estate Data Aggregator tracked seven ZIP codes across Katy, Spring, and Cypress for the three months ending July 31, 2026. The story is not the same in all of them. One ZIP sold homes in a median of 22 days. Another sat at 57. Same general area, very different experience.

How fast homes moved, by ZIP code

ZIP 77450, in Katy, was the fastest part of this buy box. The Real Estate Data Aggregator counted a median of 22 days on market there. That was only 1 day longer than the same period a year ago, which means speed barely changed even as rates climbed.

ZIP 77373, in Spring, was the slowest. The Real Estate Data Aggregator put median days on market at 57, which was 8 days longer than a year before. Homes are still selling, but sellers need more patience there right now.

The quick end of the market: 77450

More than 1 in 3 homes in 77450 went under contract within two weeks of listing, according to the Real Estate Data Aggregator. That is the highest two-week rate in this buy box. Sales volume was up 21.3% from a year ago. The price dipped a little, down 0.5%, but the demand signal is clear.

The slower end: 77373 and 77493

In 77493, the Real Estate Data Aggregator found that homes sold for an average of 95.7% of list price. That means sellers gave up more ground to close deals. Days on market rose 13 days from a year ago. The median price did move up 4.6%, but volume fell 18.4%. That combination tells you pricing needs to be sharp from day one.

In 77373, the sale-to-list ratio was actually 98.4%, which is solid. But homes sat for 57 days on average. Sellers who priced right still got close to their number. They just had to wait longer for the right buyer to show up.

The middle of the market: 77429, 77433, 77449, and 77494

ZIP 77449 is worth a closer look. The Real Estate Data Aggregator showed a median sale price of $270,000, down 3.6% from a year ago. But 15% of homes sold above list price, and pending sales were up 11.9%. That is a market where buyers are competing, even as the overall price drifts down. More supply is part of the story: homes for sale rose 25.9%.

ZIP 77433 in Cypress had the largest improvement in speed. Days on market fell 13 days from a year ago, to 48. Inventory also dropped 7.5%. Fewer homes to choose from, and they are moving faster than last year. The median price edged up 1.2% to $435,000.

ZIP 77494 had the highest median price in the buy box at $485,750, though that was down 4.6% from a year ago. Days on market rose 12 days. Inventory fell 11.7%. Buyers in that price range are being selective, and sellers are feeling it.

What the rate picture means here

CNBC reported the average 30-year fixed rate at 7.30% on September 30, 2026. Realtor.com noted that rates crossed 7% for the first time since January 2025. Nationally, Realtor.com reported that 20.8% of listings saw a price cut in September, the highest share since October 2022.

This market is not the national average. Some ZIPs here are still moving quickly. But the rate environment is real, and buyers are choosing carefully. That is why prep and pricing matter more than they did two years ago.

What this means for you