North Alabama home sales slowed from July to August, but the region continued to record more sales than the same time last year, according to Huntsville Area Association of Realtors data.
Sales stayed above last year’s numbers
In the Huntsville market, which covers Madison County, 711 homes sold in August compared with 647 in August 2025. There were also 1,095 pending sales.
Athens, covering Limestone County, recorded 215 sales, up from 197 a year earlier. Decatur, which includes Morgan and Lawrence counties, had 147 sales compared with 125 last August.
Marshall County also saw an increase, with 102 homes sold compared with 95 during the same month last year.
Year to date, pending sales in the Huntsville market were up 9.4%, while closed sales increased 8.8%.
Home prices continue to rise
Median prices moved higher across all four markets. Huntsville’s median sales price reached $345,000 in August, up from $330,000 a year earlier.
Athens recorded a median price of $326,000, a $1,000 increase from August 2025. Decatur’s median reached $262,000, up $2,000 year over year.
Marshall County saw a larger increase, with the median rising to $288,000 from $270,000 last August.
At the same time, affordability has become more challenging in Huntsville. Higher home prices and mortgage rates have contributed to a decline in the area’s affordability index.
Buyers have more homes to choose from
Inventory remains an important part of the North Alabama market. Huntsville had 2,666 homes available in August, compared with 2,699 a year earlier. Homes spent an average of 42 days on the market, down from 52 days last year.
Athens had 1,049 available homes, while Decatur had 540. Marshall County recorded 501 homes for sale.
Market data also showed different trends in how long homes remained listed. Athens averaged 61 days on the market, Decatur stayed at 54 days, and Marshall County reached 84 days.
Realtors cited the additional inventory as giving buyers more options and negotiating room. As North Alabama moves into the fall market, pricing and affordability are expected to play a larger role in how quickly homes sell.
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