North Alabama’s pending home sales up double-digit figure from last year: ‘Strong buyer demand’

North Alabama’s real estate market is heating up as spring rolls on. According to the latest data from the Huntsville Area Association of Realtors, both home sales and property prices are trending upward compared to this time last year.

Strong Demand Drives the Market

Despite the challenges of rising interest rates and higher gas prices linked to the war in Iran, the Huntsville area continues to showcase significant buyer demand. Realtor Matt Curtis noted that pending sales climbed 11% year-over-year in April, signaling that buyers remain active and confident in the region's long-term growth.

Capstone Realty President Darrin Hasley highlighted the momentum building across the region. With closed sales reaching 1,300 and total inventory expanding to over 5,400 homes, the market is showing healthy signs. Year-to-date, 2026 is trending stronger each month, with days on market dropping to 60.

Regional Performance Breakdown

The housing landscape varied across the northern counties last month. Huntsville and Decatur saw positive year-over-year growth, while Athens and Marshall County experienced slight cooling in sales volume.

• Huntsville: 712 homes sold (up from 663 in April 2025) with 1,350 sales pending.
• Decatur: 132 homes sold (up from 126 a year ago) with 226 sales pending.
• Athens: 183 homes sold (down from 210) with 489 sales pending.
• Marshall County: 91 homes sold (down from 102) with 135 sales pending.

Rising Values and Inventory

Home values remain resilient across the ValleyMLS area. The median sales price for all properties rose 5% year-over-year to approximately $314,000. Price growth was evident across most major markets: Huntsville rose to $337,000, Athens climbed to $320,000, Decatur reached $258,000, and Marshall County saw a jump to $284,000.

Inventory improvements are providing a much-needed boost for buyers. Huntsville’s available inventory rose to 2,452 homes, with properties staying on the market for an average of 52 days. In Athens, inventory increased to 1,029 homes, while Marshall County inventory reached 522 homes.

Looking Ahead

While Ben Wales of Gateway Alabama Realty Group anticipates a busy summer and early fall, experts are keeping a close watch on economic factors. Hasley warned that if mortgage rates climb beyond the mid-6% range, some buyers might hit the pause button. However, he emphasized that strong underlying fundamentals, including job growth, population expansion, and major drivers like Redstone Arsenal and the U.S. Space Command, should continue to bolster north Alabama’s market through the end of the year.

As Curtis summarized, sellers are currently receiving an average of 98.1% of their list price, proving that homes priced correctly remain in high demand.