Published October 4, 2026 in Market Update

Some parts of this market are still moving fast despite higher rates

By Debra Hayne

Real estate, Primary market

Freddie Mac put the 30-year fixed rate at 7.28% as of October 1, 2026. That is real money added to a monthly payment. But in the tightest parts of this market, buyers are still moving fast. The data below covers the three months ending July 31, 2026.

Realtor.com noted that rates crossed 7% in late September for the first time since January 2025, and climbed nearly 40 basis points over the prior four weeks. Nationally, the National Association of Realtors counted a 4.9-month supply of homes, the highest in over ten years. This market tells a different story in several ZIP codes.

Where homes are moving fastest

Three ZIP codes stand out. In 21046, the Real Estate Data Aggregator counted just 1.0 month of supply and 59.2% of homes going under contract within two weeks. In 21784, supply sat at 1.2 months and 65.1% of homes were under contract within two weeks. In 21042, supply was 1.3 months and 63.7% of homes went under contract in that same window.

Share of homes under contract within two weeks

This number tells you how quickly buyers are deciding. In 21784, 65.1% of homes went under contract within two weeks of listing, according to the Real Estate Data Aggregator. That is up 7.5 points from the same period in 2025. In 21042, 63.7% did the same. In 21158, it was 62.1%, up 4.6 points from a year before.

What sellers are getting

In the tightest ZIP codes, sellers are still getting above their asking price on average. The Real Estate Data Aggregator put the average sale-to-list ratio at 103.1% in 21042 and 102.2% in both 21043 and 21211. In 21784, it was 101.8%, up 0.4 points from a year before.

Not every ZIP code looks like that. In 21702, the average sale came in at 99.6% of list, and median days on market stretched to 43 days. In 21701, it was 99.7% and 36 days. Buyers in those areas have a little more room to work with.

Where it is taking longer

Not every part of this market is tight. In 21702, the Real Estate Data Aggregator counted 2.3 months of supply and a median of 43 days on market. In 21701, supply was 2.2 months and median days hit 36. In 21117, supply rose to 2.3 months, up 0.3 months from a year before, and days on market stretched 9 days longer.

In 21771, days on market were 9 days longer than a year before, and the share of homes going under contract within two weeks dropped 12.6 points to 47.6%. Prices there rose 9.6%, but buyers are taking more time. Redfin reported that Baltimore-area home prices rose 0.9% month over month in August on a seasonally adjusted basis, which fits with prices holding up even as some areas slow.

What this means if you own a home here

If your home is in a tight ZIP code, buyers are still paying attention quickly. Pricing it right and having it ready matters, because the window between listing and offer can be short.

If your ZIP code has more supply and longer days on market, that does not mean it is stuck. It means buyers have options and will compare. Preparation and pricing still move homes. They just move them on a slightly longer timeline.

Nationally, Realtor.com reported that active listings are up 6.3% from a year ago. Locally, several ZIP codes are seeing fewer homes for sale than a year before. In 21784, homes for sale dropped 27%. In 21702, they dropped 28.2%. Less competition on the shelf can help a well-priced home stand out.

One street can read very differently from the ZIP code as a whole. If you want to know what the numbers look like for your specific address, I am happy to take a closer look.