Published October 2, 2026 in Market Update

Santa Fe and Alvin are moving more homes with less inventory

By April Aberle

Real estate, Santa Fe/Alvin Buy Box

Mortgage rates crossed 7% nationally, according to Realtor.com. That is a real headwind for buyers. But the Real Estate Data Aggregator counted 84 homes sold in ZIP 77510 and 158 sold in ZIP 77511 in the three months ending July 31, 2026. Both ZIPs saw more sales than the same three months a year before. Serious buyers are still moving.

The headline numbers, ZIP by ZIP

ZIP 77510: more buyers, far less time on market

The Real Estate Data Aggregator counted 84 homes sold in 77510 during the three months ending July 31, 2026. That is up 52.7% from the same period a year before. At the same time, inventory fell. Only 79 homes were for sale, down 31.3% year over year. Fewer choices pushed buyers to decide faster.

The median sale price in 77510 came in at $332,335, down just 0.8% from a year ago. Prices held nearly flat while volume jumped. That is a seller's market in practice, even if it does not feel dramatic. Homes went under contract in a median of 57 days, which is 41 days shorter than the same period last year, according to the Real Estate Data Aggregator.

One in four homes in 77510 went under contract within two weeks of listing, according to the Real Estate Data Aggregator. That share was 23% for the three months ending July 31, 2026. Price right and the right buyer finds you quickly.

ZIP 77517: a slower pace, but prices held

ZIP 77517 tells a different story. The Real Estate Data Aggregator counted 16 homes sold in the three months ending July 31, 2026, down 46.7% from a year before. Inventory also fell sharply: only 24 homes for sale, down 53.8% year over year. Fewer listings and fewer sales moved together.

The median sale price in 77517 dropped 16.5% year over year to $335,000, according to the Real Estate Data Aggregator. That is a meaningful shift. Homes that did sell took a median of 128 days, which is 72 days longer than a year ago. Sellers here need to price carefully. The homes that sold still closed at 98% of list price, so the buyers who showed up were serious.

One bright spot: 35% of homes in 77517 went under contract within two weeks of listing, up 18.3 points from a year before, according to the Real Estate Data Aggregator. That tells you well-priced homes still find buyers fast. The ones sitting at 128 days are likely priced above what the market will pay.

ZIP 77511: Alvin's busiest ZIP

Alvin's 77511 ZIP was the most active in this market. The Real Estate Data Aggregator counted 158 homes sold in the three months ending July 31, 2026, up 32.8% from a year before. The median sale price rose too, up 5.3% to $300,000. More sales and a higher price at the same time is a good sign for sellers.

Homes in 77511 sat on the market a median of 47 days, 8 days shorter than a year ago, according to the Real Estate Data Aggregator. Inventory fell 15.5% year over year to 202 homes. That drop in supply helped keep prices moving upward even as mortgage rates climbed.

About 1 in 4 homes in 77511 went under contract within two weeks of listing. The Real Estate Data Aggregator put that share at 25.4%, up 2.5 points from a year before. Buyers in Alvin are not waiting around when the right home shows up.

What the national rate picture means here

Realtor.com reported that mortgage rates crossed 7% nationally for the first time since January 2025. CNBC reported the average 30-year fixed rate at 7.30% as of September 30, 2026. Higher rates slow some buyers down. They do not stop all of them.

Realtor.com also reported that 20.8% of listings nationally had their price reduced in September 2026, the highest share since October 2022. That is a national number, not a Santa Fe or Alvin number. But it is a reminder: overpriced homes are sitting longer everywhere right now.

What this means for sellers

In 77510 and 77511, inventory is down and sales are up. That is a real advantage if you price well. Homes in 77510 sold at 97.2% of list price on average, and homes in 77511 sold at 98%, according to the Real Estate Data Aggregator. Buyers are not giving big discounts, but they are not overpaying either.

In 77517, the median price dropped 16.5% year over year. If you are selling there, price is the lever. The homes that sold still closed at 98% of list, which means a correctly priced home can still move.

What this means for buyers

Good homes in this market are moving. In 77511, 25.4% of homes went under contract within two weeks. In 77517, that share was 35%. If you find the right home, waiting rarely helps. Getting pre-approved before you look is the most practical thing you can do right now.

Santa Fe is acreage and small-town living along Hwy 6. Many properties there are on well and septic, which is normal for the area and worth knowing before you shop. Santa Fe ISD serves the area. Always verify the school district by the specific address, not the city name.

These are ZIP-code numbers. One street can read very differently from the whole ZIP. A home on a larger lot in Santa Fe, a newer build in Alvin, or a property with a different school district assignment can all sit outside these averages. The ZIP tells you the direction. Your address tells you the real story.