Published November 1, 2026 in Market Update

Some parts of Pierce Co Buy Box are still moving fast above list

By Thomas Earnest

Real estate, Pierce Co Buy Box

Realtor.com reported that mortgage rates climbed above 7% for the first time since January 2025. That is the one fact that changes what every buyer and seller should plan for right now.

Even so, the Real Estate Data Aggregator counted real sales across Pierce Co Buy Box in the three months ending August 31, 2026. The picture is not the same in every ZIP code. Some parts moved fast and closed above list. Others took longer and gave a little back on price.

The tightest pocket: 98403

In ZIP 98403 (Tacoma), the Real Estate Data Aggregator found the sharpest numbers of any ZIP in this market.

Nearly 7 in 10 homes in 98403 went under contract within two weeks of listing. The average sale closed at 101.1% of list, according to the Real Estate Data Aggregator. That means buyers in 98403 are still competing, and sellers who price well are still getting more than they asked.

One honest note: the Real Estate Data Aggregator counted only 25 homes sold in 98403 that period. Smaller counts can shift the numbers more than a bigger ZIP. Still, the direction is clear.

How fast are homes going under contract across the market?

Eight ZIP codes in this market had more than half of their homes go under contract within two weeks. That is a real sign of demand, even with rates above 7%.

Where prices moved up and where they dipped

Not every ZIP held its price. Some slipped a little. That is worth knowing before you pick a number.

ZIP 98402 led the market with a 15.2% price gain, per the Real Estate Data Aggregator. But 98403 and 98499 each saw prices dip around 9%. A price drop in one ZIP does not mean the whole market softened.

Sale to list: who is still closing above asking?

Nine ZIP codes averaged above list price on their closed sales. ZIP 98418 led at 101.2%, with 98403 right behind at 101.1%, both per the Real Estate Data Aggregator.

The wider picture: rates and national prices

Realtor.com reported that 20.8% of listings nationally took a price cut in September 2026, the highest share since October 2022. That is a real headwind for sellers who overprice.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency reported that U.S. house prices rose 2.4% from August 2025 to August 2026. Month over month, they rose 0.3% in August, seasonally adjusted. Prices are still moving up nationally, just more slowly.

A median monthly mortgage payment of $2,786, as Redfin reported for the four weeks ending October 25, 2026, is real pressure for buyers. Clean offers and sharp pricing still matter more than ever.

What this means for you

For buyers: speed still matters in 98403, 98406, and 98465. The Real Estate Data Aggregator shows more than 60% of homes in each of those ZIPs went under contract within two weeks.

For sellers: strong prep and a sharp price still bring quick attention, even with rates above 7%. But overpricing is a bigger risk now. Realtor.com put national price cuts at 20.8% of listings in September.

One street can read very differently from the whole ZIP code. If you want to know where your home sits in this picture, text me your address.