According to online reports, realtors sold fewer homes in the Huntsville area last month compared to July 2024. Still, local agents say the market is showing signs of strength heading into late summer and fall.
Signs of a Buyer-Friendly Market
Pending single-family sales surged nearly 15 percent in July while mortgage rates dropped to a four-month low. Realtor Matt Curtis said these shifts could bring year-over-year sales gains as soon as August, especially if Fed rate cuts further boost demand.
Other agents agreed. Ben Wales of Gateway Alabama Realty Group said he prefers a more buyer-friendly market. He noted that while national headlines are negative, Huntsville is following a steady three-year trend of rising inventory and longer days on market. In July, he secured a home $35,000 under asking in a multiple-offer situation, which he called a great sign for buyers.
July Home Sales
The Huntsville market, which includes all of Madison County, recorded 648 home sales in July. That number was slightly higher than June’s 635 sales but below the 703 homes sold in July 2024. There were also 748 pending sales.
Athens saw 196 homes sold, up from 183 in June but down from 213 last year. Pending sales reached 294. In Decatur, agents sold 127 homes, down from 159 in June but up from 117 a year ago, with 124 pending. Marshall County posted 89 sales, fewer than both June’s 100 and last year’s 98, with 79 homes pending.
Median Sales Prices
Prices shifted across the region last month. In Huntsville, the median sales price fell to $341,000, down from $345,000 in June and $350,000 in July 2024. Athens saw a similar trend, with the median price slipping to $320,000, compared to $322,000 in June and $335,000 a year ago.
In Decatur, the median sales price landed at $258,000. That was lower than June’s $265,000 but higher than last year’s $250,000. Marshall County moved in the opposite direction, with prices climbing to $288,000 from $273,000 in June and $244,000 in July 2024.
Curtis said steady pricing is giving buyers confidence, while Wales noted that Huntsville buyers still find homes more expensive than expected. He added that surrounding counties continue to offer better bargains.
Inventory Continues to Rise
Available homes increased throughout the region. Huntsville had 2,731 listings in July, up from 2,610 a year ago, with homes staying on the market an average of 47 days compared to 38 last year. Athens had 1,024 homes for sale, up from 944, with average time on market rising to 61 days from 48.
Decatur had 591 available homes, up from 433 last year, with homes averaging 62 days on the market, compared to 48 a year ago. In Marshall County, 472 homes were available, up from 406 last year. Homes there stayed on the market an average of 64 days, nearly double last year’s 35.
Curtis explained that inventory is up more than 14 percent year-over-year, which gives buyers more leverage and more choices. At the same time, it pressures sellers to improve pricing and condition. If interest rates keep falling, he added, this shift could drive sales higher in the coming months.
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