Published September 23, 2026 in Market Update

Bedford sellers still have leverage, even with higher rates

By Lais F

Real estate, Bedford, NH

CNBC reported the average 30-year mortgage rate at 7.12% on September 23, 2026. That is real pressure on buyers. But in Bedford, it has not tipped the balance toward them yet. Listing Leads counted just 1.5 months of supply in ZIP 03110 for the three months ending July 31, 2026. That is a seller's market by any measure.

For context: six months of supply is considered balanced. Bedford is less than a quarter of that. Listing Leads also showed supply fell 1.2 months compared with the same period in 2025. There are fewer choices for buyers, which keeps sellers in a stronger spot.

Most homes sold above asking price

This is the number that tells you the most. Listing Leads found that 59.4% of Bedford homes sold above list price in the three months ending July 31, 2026. That is nearly 6 in 10 homes. And that share was up 2.7 points from the same period in 2025.

The average sale-to-list ratio came in at 102%, according to Listing Leads. That means the typical Bedford home sold for 2% more than its asking price. That figure was up 0.5 points from a year before.

Homes moved fast, but a little slower than last year

Listing Leads put the median days on market at 30 days for the three months ending July 31, 2026. That is 7 days longer than the same period in 2025. So homes still sell quickly. Just not quite as fast as before. Pricing and prep still matter.

Here is another sign of speed: Listing Leads found that 68.4% of Bedford homes went under contract within two weeks of listing. That share was up 3.3 points from a year ago. When nearly 7 in 10 homes find a buyer within two weeks, the market is moving.

Fewer homes came to market

Listing Leads counted 115 new listings in ZIP 03110 for the three months ending July 31, 2026. That was down 12.9% from the same period in 2025. Fewer sellers listing means less competition among sellers. That is part of why supply stayed so tight.

Nationally, Realtor.com reported that median list prices fell 1.3% year over year in August 2026, and 20.4% of listings saw a price cut. Bedford did not follow that pattern. Listing Leads showed the local median sale price up 0.8% to $832,000. Bedford is holding ground where many markets are not.

Rates are real, but so is the demand

CNBC reported on September 23, 2026 that the ARM share of mortgage applications jumped to 9.8%. When rates rise, some buyers shift to adjustable loans to keep payments manageable. That tells you buyers are still in the market. They are adjusting, not walking away.

Listing Leads counted 101 homes sold in Bedford for the three months ending July 31, 2026. That was up 12.2% from the same period in 2025. More homes sold, even as rates climbed. Demand held.

One thing worth knowing: these are ZIP-code-wide numbers. One street in Bedford can read very differently from another. Price point, condition, and location within the ZIP all shape what a home actually does when it hits the market.