Clear Lake is known for its full summer weekends, boats on the water, and homes that come alive when the lakefront is busy. But there’s another side to the season: as the pace quiets down before Thanksgiving, buyers may find a little more breathing room. Mortgage rates have dipped for three weeks in a row, creating a small but real affordability window worth watching.
Here are three numbers to start with:
- 7.18%: Freddie Mac’s average 30-year fixed mortgage rate for the week ending November 5
- $434,250: Current median listing price in ZIP code 50428
- 150: Active listings in the Realtor.com ZIP-wide snapshot
Clear Lake market at a glance
Measure Latest figure What it tells us 30-year fixed mortgage rate 7.18% Down from 7.24%, 7.32%, and 7.40% in the prior three weeks 15-year fixed mortgage rate 6.57% Freddie Mac’s weekly national average ZIP 50428 median listing price $434,250 Realtor.com’s October snapshot ZIP 50428 active listings 150 Realtor.com’s October snapshot ZIP 50428 median days on market 65 days Homes are selling for about 97% of asking Clear Lake September closed sales 7 Up from 5 in September 2025 Clear Lake September median sale price $406,000 Up 4.1% year over year Clear Lake September inventory 75 homes Down from 94 a year earlier Clear Lake September months of supply 9.5 months Down from 12.7 a year earlier
One important note before we get into the details: the Realtor.com snapshot covers listings across ZIP code 50428, while the MAAR report covers closed sales within Clear Lake and is for September. They measure different things, so the figures can diverge. I’ll keep those lenses separate below.
Mortgage rates: a third straight weekly dip
The new story this week is the direction of travel. Freddie Mac’s average 30-year fixed rate moved from 7.40%, to 7.32%, to 7.24%, and now to 7.18% for the week ending November 5. The 15-year fixed averaged 6.57%.
That’s a welcome change for buyers who have been keeping an eye on their monthly budget. It doesn’t mean borrowing suddenly feels inexpensive, and the average is not a personal rate quote. A lender’s offer can depend on your credit, down payment, loan details, and other factors. But even a modest rate change can affect purchasing power, so it’s worth checking your numbers again rather than assuming last month’s estimate still fits.
For buyers, I’d use this moment to talk with a lender and understand the payment that feels comfortable, not just the maximum amount you’re approved to borrow. If you’re already preapproved, ask whether the recent movement changes your options.
For sellers, lower rates may help bring some buyers back into the conversation. I wouldn’t build a pricing plan around a rate forecast, though. A home still needs to be positioned well for the buyers who are looking today.
One timing note: Freddie Mac’s next survey is scheduled for November 12. That update will give us the next weekly reading.
Median price: two useful numbers, two different views
Realtor.com’s current October snapshot for ZIP 50428 shows a median listing price of $434,250. That is an asking-price measure across the ZIP snapshot, not the median price paid for a Clear Lake home.
For closed sales within Clear Lake, MAAR’s latest available report is September. It shows a median sale price of $406,000, up 4.1% from $390,000 in September 2025. The average sale price was $459,350, down 5.3% from a year earlier. Over the rolling 12 months, the median sold price was $341,900, down 0.7%, while the median price per square foot was $217, up 1.3%.
Those figures aren’t contradictory. One is a current ZIP-wide listing snapshot, while the others describe a month of completed Clear Lake sales and a rolling year of sales. The number and mix of homes in a small local monthly sample can also make the median move around.
For buyers, I’d treat a median as a starting point, not a price tag for any particular house. A lakeside property, a year-round home, and a smaller getaway can sit in very different parts of the market.
For sellers, the best comparison is usually not the ZIP-wide median. Recent sales that match your property’s location, condition, size, and features can give us a more meaningful place to begin.
Inventory: fewer homes in the city report, more activity
The October Realtor.com snapshot counts 150 active listings across ZIP 50428. In MAAR’s September report for Clear Lake, inventory stood at 75 homes, down 20.2% from 94 a year earlier. Months of supply also tightened, moving from 12.7 to 9.5.
At the same time, September closed sales rose to 7, compared with 5 the previous September, a 40% increase. New listings were up too, with 18 in September versus 15 a year earlier. October closings have not been reported yet, so September remains the latest city closed-sale report available.
This is a useful mix of signals: the MAAR report shows fewer homes in inventory than a year ago and more closed sales in September, while the ZIP snapshot still gives buyers a broad set of active listings to review. That’s another reason to keep the two sources distinct.
For buyers, there may be room to compare options, but the right home can still draw attention. If a property fits, it helps to be prepared to make a thoughtful decision.
For sellers, inventory is not a promise of less competition on every street or in every price range. Presentation and a price supported by comparable homes still matter. In September, Clear Lake sellers received 97.1% of original list price, down from 99.6% a year earlier.
Days on market: a brief look
Realtor.com reports a 65-day median for ZIP 50428, with homes selling for about 97% of asking. MAAR’s September Clear Lake closed-sale report shows 85 days on market until sale, down from 119 in September 2025.
Those are different measures from different sources, so I wouldn’t compare them as if they were identical. The practical point is that the pace depends on the home, its price, and its fit for buyers.
For buyers, time on market can be one helpful clue, not a reason to assume a seller will accept any offer. For sellers, it’s a reminder to pay attention to early feedback and make adjustments when the market gives a clear signal.
Monday takeaway
- Mortgage rates fell for the third week in a row, from 7.40% to 7.32% to 7.24% to 7.18%.
- The October ZIP 50428 snapshot shows a $434,250 median listing price and 150 active listings.
- In Clear Lake’s latest available monthly report, September closed sales increased 40% year over year, while inventory and months of supply declined.
- The ZIP-wide listing snapshot and the city closed-sale report cover different geographies, time periods, and measures.
- If you’re considering a move, use the numbers as context, then look closely at the home and your own goals.
The quiet season can be a good time to ask questions without feeling rushed. If you’re buying, my buyer resources can help you think through the process. If you’re selling, take a look at my seller resources. Or call or text me at 641-512-0633, or send me a note. I’m always happy to talk through what the local numbers might mean for your situation.
Market statistics change as new information becomes available. Small monthly samples can swing, and averages are not a prediction or guarantee for any particular property. Mortgage rates vary by borrower and loan.
