Key Takeaway
Something unusual happened this summer. National existing-home sales fell below a 4 million annual pace for the first time since 2025, and the Midwest posted the region's second-steepest monthly decline. Allen County went the other direction: 1,558 homes sold from June through August, up 5% from last summer, with total dollar volume up 11.6% to $495 million. The clearest sign of a healthier market wasn't the price growth, though. It was the 57% collapse in expired listings on flat inventory. Homes that used to sit and fail are now selling.
We publish what the Paragon MLS says about Allen County regularly, and most of the time the story is a variation on the same theme: tight supply, quick sales, firm prices. This quarter is different, and it's worth your time.
Between June and August, the national housing market visibly cooled. Mortgage rates climbed back to a one-year high. Sales slipped below a threshold they hadn't crossed in more than a year. And through all of it, our local market absorbed more inventory, at higher prices, with far fewer listings failing than a year ago.
This report covers all three summer months side by side with the same months in 2025, so you can see what actually changed rather than what a seasonal bounce made look like change. For the previous installment, see our May 2026 market update.
The Summer at a Glance#
We pulled single-family statistics from the Paragon MLS for Allen County for June, July, and August of both 2026 and 2025. Here is the quarter in aggregate.
| Summer total (Jun-Aug) | 2025 | 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listings on market | 1,922 | 1,913 | -0.5% |
| Homes sold | 1,484 | 1,558 | +5.0% |
| Absorption rate | 77.2% | 81.4% | +4.2 pts |
| Expired listings | 208 | 90 | -56.7% |
| Expired rate | 10.8% | 4.7% | -6.1 pts |
| Avg sale price | $298,910 | $317,693 | +6.3% |
| Total volume | $443.6M | $495.0M | +11.6% |
Read the first two rows together, because that pairing is the whole story. Inventory was essentially identical to last summer, down half a percent. Sales were up five percent. The same amount of housing came to market and considerably more of it found a buyer.
Month by Month#
| Metric | Jun 2026 | Jul 2026 | Aug 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homes sold | 493 | 551 | 514 |
| Median sale price | $285,000 | $280,000 | $284,000 |
| Median vs 2025 | +1.8% | +9.8% | +5.8% |
| Average sale price | $313,110 | $315,418 | $324,528 |
| Sale-to-list ratio | 99.17% | 98.94% | 98.29% |
| Median days on market | 9 | 8 | 9 |
| Average days on market | 30 | 26 | 25 |
| Expired listings | 28 | 27 | 35 |
July was the standout month. The median sale price jumped 9.8% against July 2025, from $255,000 to $280,000, and closings rose 12.7%. Last July was a genuinely soft month locally, so part of that gain is an easy comparison, but the absolute numbers hold up on their own.
The median barely moved all quarter. $285,000, then $280,000, then $284,000. That flatness is not weakness, it's stability, and it sits alongside an average sale price that climbed steadily from $313,110 to $324,528. When the average rises while the median holds, the extra strength is coming from the upper half of the market rather than from broad price inflation.
Homes sold in a median of 8 to 9 days every single month. Not once did that figure drift into double digits. Average days on market actually improved as the quarter went on, from 30 down to 25.
The Number Worth Paying Attention To#
Expired listings fell from 208 last summer to 90 this summer. Same inventory, 57% fewer failures.
An expired listing is a home that went on the market, sat through its full listing agreement, and came off without selling. It's the cleanest available measure of the gap between what sellers ask and what buyers will actually pay. When expireds are high, sellers are guessing wrong. When they collapse, either sellers have gotten realistic about pricing or demand has deepened enough to meet them.
Last August, 13.7% of Allen County listings expired. This August, 6.0%. That's less than half, and it happened while the national market was slowing down.
💡 How to read the absorption rate
Absorption compares homes sold in a month against listings available that month. Because closings can come from inventory listed earlier, a single segment can post a figure above 100% in a strong month. Treat it as a measure of how efficiently the market is clearing inventory, not as a share of a fixed cohort.
There is one counterweight worth naming. The sale-to-list ratio eased across the quarter, from 99.17% in June to 98.29% in August, and August came in slightly below last August's 98.67%. Sellers held nearly full price all summer, but their leverage peaked early and softened by the end. Most of that erosion traces to a single segment, which we'll get to.
Meanwhile, the National Market Went the Other Way#
This is what makes the local numbers interesting rather than merely good.
Nationally, existing-home sales fell 2.0% month over month and 1.2% year over year in August, landing at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.98 million, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. That's the first reading below 4 million since June 2025. The Midwest fell 3.1% month over month, the second-steepest regional decline in the country.
Prices nationally kept climbing, just barely. The median existing-home price reached $429,100, up 1.6% year over year and a record for the month of August. Inventory rose 3.2% to 1.62 million homes, pushing supply to 4.9 months, the highest level in more than a decade.
| August 2026 | Allen County | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median price | $284,000 | $429,100 |
| Median price change | +5.8% | +1.6% |
| Months of supply | 1.8 | 4.9 |
| Sales direction | +6.0% | -1.2% |
Allen County's median sits 33.8% below the national figure, our price growth ran more than three times faster, and our supply is roughly a third of the national level. That combination, cheap relative to the country and still tightening, is why relocating buyers keep finding their way here. If a move is on your radar, our relocation guide to Fort Wayne covers the practical side.
Where the Market Split by Bedroom Count#
The county-wide average hides a real divergence. Here's August 2026 against August 2025 by bedroom count.
| Beds | Sold | Absorption | Median price | vs 2025 | Sale-to-list | Avg DOM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 36 | 76.6% | $143,850 | +1.7% | 99.03% | 33 |
| 3 | 279 | 88.6% | $260,000 | +6.1% | 98.82% | 21 |
| 4 | 165 | 96.5% | $336,900 | +3.7% | 98.49% | 28 |
| 5+ | 34 | 68.0% | $510,250 | +8.6% | 95.32% | 44 |
Three-bedroom homes remain the engine. They accounted for 279 of August's 514 sales, 54% of everything that closed, with absorption climbing from 77.3% in June to 88.6% in August. At a $260,000 median and 21 days on market, this is the most competitive slice of the county. If you're shopping here, you are shopping where everyone else is.
Four-bedroom homes had the strongest quarter of any segment. Absorption went 70.2% in June, 80.3% in July, then 96.5% in August. Move-up buyers came off the sidelines as the summer went on, and by August almost everything listed in this tier was clearing.
The top of the market is the exception, and it's a real one. Homes with five or more bedrooms sold at 95.32% of list price in August, against 98.47% a year earlier, and averaged 44 days on market versus 26 last August. That's three additional points of discount and roughly 18 extra days. The median sale price in the tier still rose 8.6%, but that reflects which homes sold rather than broad appreciation. Absorption held flat at 68%, the weakest of any segment.
If you own a higher-end home, this is the segment where the national slowdown actually reached us. Pricing strategy matters far more here than it does at $260,000.
Inside the City Limits vs. Across the County#
Because Fort Wayne accounts for roughly 83% of Allen County's sales and active listings, city and county figures track closely. But August's numbers reveal a spread that runs opposite to what most people assume.
| August 2026 | Fort Wayne | Allen County |
|---|---|---|
| Homes sold | 428 | 514 |
| Median sale price | $276,750 | $284,000 |
| Average sale price | $315,329 | $324,528 |
| Median days on market | 8 | 9 |
| Average days on market | 23 | 25 |
| Sale-to-list ratio | 98.40% | 98.29% |
| Median list price, active | $299,900 | $317,000 |
Inside city limits, homes are cheaper and faster. The city median ran $7,250 below the county, city homes went under contract a day quicker at the median, and city sellers held marginally more of their list price.
The gap widens on what's currently for sale. On closed sales the county runs 2.6% above the city. On active listings it runs 5.7% above, $317,000 versus $299,900. Higher-priced inventory outside the city is coming to market but converting more slowly, which lines up precisely with the 5+ bedroom softness above. The premium for being outside Fort Wayne shows up more in asking prices than in closings.
Mortgage Rate Watch: Back to a One-Year High#
The financing picture got harder over the summer, and this is the clearest headwind in the report.
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.76% as of September 10, 2026, per Freddie Mac, up from 6.71% the prior week and up from 6.35% a year ago. That matches the highest level in more than a year. The 15-year fixed averaged 6.09%. Notably, the Federal Reserve's benchmark rate held steady at 3.50% to 3.75% through this stretch, a reminder that mortgage rates follow the bond market rather than Fed announcements.
When we published the May report, the 30-year sat at 6.43% and had just hit a seven-week low. Rates have moved a third of a point against buyers since then.
What that costs in practice, on a median-priced $284,000 Allen County home with 20% down, a $227,200 loan:
| Rate | Monthly principal and interest |
|---|---|
| 6.35% (a year ago) | $1,414 |
| 6.43% (early July) | $1,426 |
| 6.76% (today) | $1,475 |
| 6.00% (hypothetical) | $1,362 |
A year of rate movement costs about $61 a month on a median home here. That is real, and it is also considerably smaller than most buyers expect, because our prices are low enough that rate changes move the payment less in absolute dollars than they do in expensive metros.
Which points to the number that matters most if you're weighing Fort Wayne against somewhere else. At today's 6.76%, financing the national median of $429,100 with 20% down runs about $2,229 a month. The same structure on Allen County's $284,000 median runs $1,475. That's a difference of $754 every month, or roughly $9,000 a year, before you account for property taxes or insurance. Run your own numbers with our mortgage calculator or check what your income supports using the home affordability calculator.
✅ A quick reality check
These figures cover principal and interest only. Your actual payment will also include property taxes, homeowners insurance, and possibly PMI. A local lender can give you a precise, personalized number, and we're always happy to connect you with one we trust.
Where Inventory Stands Right Now#
One important note on methodology: the MLS reports active inventory as a live snapshot rather than a month-end figure, so the numbers below describe the market as of mid-September 2026, not any single summer month.
As of this report, Allen County has 908 active single-family listings at a median list price of $317,000. Against August's 514 closings, that works out to roughly 1.8 months of supply. Anything under six months is generally considered a seller's market, so we remain deep inside that territory, and at well under half the national level of 4.9 months.
| Active inventory, mid-Sept 2026 | Listings | Median list |
|---|---|---|
| 2 bedrooms | 75 | $145,000 |
| 3 bedrooms | 450 | $269,900 |
| 4 bedrooms | 304 | $370,947 |
| 5+ bedrooms | 78 | $499,900 |
| All | 908 | $317,000 |
Here is the detail that captures this market better than any other single comparison. Homes that sold in August went under contract in a median of 9 days. Homes sitting on the market right now have been listed a median of 42 days, with an average of 70.
Those two figures describe the same county in the same market. The difference between them is pricing. Correctly priced homes are gone inside of two weeks. Everything else accumulates, and that accumulation is what the active snapshot is showing you.
Why Fort Wayne Keeps Absorbing Inventory#
Local housing demand follows local employment, and Allen County keeps adding to it.
The most concrete near-term addition is Bombardier's new 64,500-square-foot aircraft service center at Fort Wayne International Airport, set to open in mid-November 2026 and expected to create roughly 100 positions across technician, engineering, and administrative roles. We flagged this project as pending in earlier reports. It's now weeks from opening.
Zoom out and the pattern is steadier than any one announcement. Greater Fort Wayne Inc. reports assisting more than 275 company expansions in Allen County between 2014 and 2025, accounting for more than 15,850 jobs, $765 million in new payroll, and $7.3 billion in private investment. That is a decade-plus of consistent employment growth, and it is the quiet reason our market absorbed inventory this summer while the country slowed.
What This Means for You#
If You're Buying#
The math got slightly harder this summer and the competition did not let up. Rates are up about a third of a point since early July, and homes are still going under contract in 8 to 9 days at the median. Waiting has a cost in both directions right now.
Your advantage is that the market is finally readable. That 42-day median on active listings means there is standing inventory to work with, particularly in the 5+ bedroom tier where sellers took 95.32% of list in August and homes averaged 44 days. If your budget reaches into the upper half of this market, you have more negotiating room than buyers have had in two years. In the $250,000 to $340,000 range, you do not. Get pre-approved, know your must-haves, and be ready to move the day the right listing appears. New to this? Our first-time homebuyer guide walks through each step.
If You're Selling#
The collapse in expired listings is genuinely good news for you, but read why it happened. Fewer homes failed because pricing got more accurate, not because buyers stopped caring about price. The evidence is right there in the two days-on-market figures: 9 days for what sold, 42 and counting for what's still listed.
Your equity is real. Allen County's average sale price rose 6.3% over last summer and dollar volume climbed 11.6%. Three-bedroom sellers in particular are operating in the strongest segment in the county, with 88.6% absorption and 21 days on market in August. If your home is larger or above roughly $450,000, price it against what's actually closing rather than against what your neighbor is asking, because that is the one tier where the national slowdown reached us. Price it right, prep it well, and this market still rewards you.
Summer 2026 was the quarter Allen County stopped moving in lockstep with the national market. Sales up while the country's fell, volume up 11.6%, and more than half the previous year's listing failures eliminated. The one soft spot, the top of the market, is specific enough to plan around rather than worry about.
Whether you're buying, selling, or just tracking what your home is worth, the useful move in a market like this is knowing which of these numbers applies to your situation. That's a conversation worth having.
We publish fresh Allen County market reports regularly. Bookmark the blog so you never miss an update, and between reports our market insights dashboard tracks prices, rates, and inventory live.
Frequently Asked Questions#
What is the median home price in Fort Wayne and Allen County right now?
The median single-family sale price in Allen County was $284,000 in August 2026, up 5.8% from $268,500 in August 2025. Inside Fort Wayne city limits the August median was $276,750. Across the full summer the median held remarkably steady at $285,000 in June, $280,000 in July, and $284,000 in August.
Is Fort Wayne a buyer's or seller's market in fall 2026?
It remains a seller's market overall. Allen County has roughly 1.8 months of supply as of mid-September 2026, well under the six-month threshold and far below the national level of 4.9 months. That said, the market has split by price point. Homes with five or more bedrooms sold at 95.32% of list price and averaged 44 days on market in August, so higher-end buyers have meaningfully more negotiating room than buyers in the $250,000 to $340,000 range.
How fast are homes selling in Allen County?
Single-family homes sold in a median of 8 to 9 days every month this summer, and average days on market improved from 30 in June to 25 in August. Homes currently sitting on the market are a different story. Active listings have been available a median of 42 days, which shows the gap between correctly priced homes and overpriced ones.
Why did the Fort Wayne market outperform the national housing market this summer?
Affordability and employment. Allen County's median sale price of $284,000 sits about 33.8% below the national median of $429,100, so buyers priced out elsewhere can still transact here. On the jobs side, Greater Fort Wayne Inc. reports more than 275 company expansions in Allen County from 2014 to 2025, bringing over 15,850 jobs and $7.3 billion in private investment. Bombardier's new aircraft service center at Fort Wayne International Airport opens in mid-November 2026 with roughly 100 positions.
What does a 57% drop in expired listings actually mean?
An expired listing is a home that went through its full listing agreement without selling, which makes it the cleanest measure of the gap between seller expectations and buyer willingness. Allen County expired listings fell from 208 in summer 2025 to 90 in summer 2026 on essentially identical inventory. The expired rate dropped from 10.8% to 4.7%. It signals both more realistic pricing by sellers and deeper buyer demand.
What are mortgage rates in Fort Wayne right now?
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.76% as of September 10, 2026, according to Freddie Mac, up from 6.71% the prior week and 6.35% a year ago. That matches the highest level in over a year. The 15-year fixed averaged 6.09%. On a median-priced $284,000 Allen County home with 20% down, principal and interest works out to about $1,475 per month.
Is it cheaper to buy inside Fort Wayne city limits or elsewhere in Allen County?
Inside the city, and by more than most buyers expect. Fort Wayne's August 2026 median sale price of $276,750 came in $7,250 below the county median of $284,000, and city homes also sold slightly faster at 8 median days versus 9. The spread is even wider on active inventory, where the county median list price of $317,000 runs 5.7% above the city's $299,900.
Sources and Methodology#
Local figures come from official Paragon MLS Market Statistics for Allen County residential single-family properties, covering June 1 through August 31 of 2026 and 2025, pulled September 17, 2026. Active inventory is reported by the MLS as a live snapshot rather than a month-end figure, so all active listing counts and list prices reflect mid-September 2026. Monthly sold, price, days-on-market, and expired figures reflect the calendar month indicated.
- Paragon MLS Market Statistics — Allen County Residential, Single-Family (June–August 2026 and June–August 2025)
- Paragon MLS Market Statistics — City of Fort Wayne Residential, Single-Family (August 2026)
- Existing-Home Sales Report Shows 2.0% Decrease in August — National Association of REALTORS®
- Primary Mortgage Market Survey — Freddie Mac (September 10, 2026)
- Bombardier Service Centre, Fort Wayne — Bombardier
- Allen County Together Plan — Greater Fort Wayne Inc.
