Published October 25, 2026 in Market Update

Primary market homes are still moving fast

By Mike Raivala

Real estate, Primary market

Freddie Mac put the average 30-year fixed rate at 7.32% as of October 22, 2026. That is real money. Even so, the Real Estate Data Aggregator counted 59.5% of homes in ZIP 54880 going under contract within two weeks during the three months ending August 31, 2026. Buyers are not waiting around.

That 59.5% share was up 18.9 points from the same three months in 2025, according to the Real Estate Data Aggregator. More than half of well-priced homes were gone before most buyers even scheduled a showing.

How fast are homes selling, by ZIP code?

Speed varied across the market. The Real Estate Data Aggregator tracked median days on market for each ZIP in the three months ending August 31, 2026.

Superior's 54880 led the way at 13 days. That is 5 days shorter than the same period in 2025, per the Real Estate Data Aggregator. Duluth's 55803 came in at 15 days, down 19 days from a year before. Duluth's 55811 sat at 16 days, down 15 days year over year. Lake Nebagamon's 54849 moved more slowly at 61 days.

Homes under contract within two weeks: all four ZIPs

In 55811 and 55803, roughly 43% of homes went under contract within two weeks. Both figures rose year over year, the Real Estate Data Aggregator shows. Lake Nebagamon's 54849 was a different story: only 16.7% went under contract that fast.

What sellers are getting

Speed is one thing. Price is another. The Real Estate Data Aggregator found that in 54880, homes sold for an average of 101.5% of list price in the three months ending August 31, 2026. More than half of homes there sold above list.

In 55811, homes averaged 99.9% of list, down 2 points from a year before. Not every home in Duluth's 55811 is drawing a bidding war. In Lake Nebagamon's 54849, the average was 95.2%, meaning sellers there gave up some ground. Pricing still matters a great deal.

Prices are up, but modestly

The National Association of Realtors reported existing-home prices rose 1.3% nationally in September 2026. This market's gains of 2% to 4% are running ahead of that national figure.

More homes are coming to market

The Real Estate Data Aggregator counted 409 new listings across the four ZIPs in the three months ending August 31, 2026. In 55811, new listings jumped 50.9% year over year. In 54880, they rose 14.5%. More supply gives buyers more to look at, but it has not slowed sales much.

Rates are high. Buyers are still moving.

Freddie Mac put the 30-year fixed rate at 7.32% as of October 22, 2026. Realtor.com showed the national median days on market at 62 days that same week. This market's 13 to 16 days in the busiest ZIPs is a sharp contrast. Buyers here are not waiting for rates to fall.