For the first time in months, home sales in the Huntsville area fell below 2024 numbers with two notable exceptions: the Decatur and Marshall County markets.

They were the only two area markets that saw sales figures better not only than last year’s marks, but May’s numbers as well.

But realtors said the area markets remain strong. They said inventory numbers and almost flat sales price numbers indicate that now is a good time to buy a home.

“The best buying opportunities are likely between now and the end of the year,” realtor Matt Curtis told AL.com. “Savvy buyers and investors will act now — everyone else may look back and wish they had.”

“Market conditions will likely continue to favor buyers over the next few months as listings are at their highest level in more than five years,” Alabama Association of Realtors economist Evan Moore said in a recent report on state sales.

Ben Wales of Gateway Alabama Realty Group said it “is nice shopping in this current market but unfortunately that will change if these rates ever go down.”

“Rumors are stirring that (Federal Reserve Chairman) Jerome Powell is about to resign and if that happens rates determined by the fed will begin dropping,” Wales said. “Mortgage rates are not tied to the fed but in my experience the fed does eventually have an effect on mortgage rates. Real estate nerd talk but in short I think that the pleasant laid back buying days are numbered.”

Sales numbers dip in Rocket City

According to data from ValleyMLS, realtors and real estate agents sold 635 homes in June in the Huntsville market, which includes all of Madison County. That’s a drop from 743 in May and 685 in June of 2024. There were 1,079 sales still pending.

The Athens market followed a similar trend. There were 183 homes sold in the market last month, which includes all of Limestone County. That is down from 224 in May and 189 from a year ago. There were 314 sales pending.

The Decatur market, on the other hand, saw sales jump from 115 a year ago to 159 last month. Month-over-month, sales increased by nine homes over May. There were 138 sales pending in the market, which includes both Morgan and Lawrence counties.

Marshall County also saw a boost in sales, jumping from 89 in June 2024 to 100 last month. Realtors sold 91 homes there in May. There were 78 sales pending.

Median prices stable

Median home prices in the area remained stable.

In Huntsville, the median price was $345,000 in June, up only $5,000 from June of 2024. It climbed only $7,000 from May.

In Athens, the median sales price actually dropped $4,000 year-over-year to $322,000 last month, but it did climb from $310,000 in May.

Homes remained the cheapest in Decatur, where the median sales price was $265,000 last month. That’s up from $244,000 in May, but down from $283,000 in June 2024.

In Marshall County, the median sales price in June was $273,000, down $2,000 from a year ago, but up from $260,000 in May.

“Despite the increase in supply and softening demand, prices have held steady — with average sales prices actually rising 1.5%,” Curtis said. “That kind of resilience in the face of economic and global uncertainty speaks volumes.”

He said if prices haven’t dropped under those conditions “it’s unlikely we’ll see major pricing pressure this year.”

“I believe we have a 12 to 18-month window of opportunity before the next economic cycle brings higher prices and stronger demand,” Curtis said.

Inventory continues to climb

Across the Huntsville area, there are now more homes are on the market than last year. Curtis said that brings a balanced market between buyers and sellers with 4.5 months of supply. Gone are the days when homes flew off the market in less than a week.

There were 2,734 homes on the market in Huntsville, up from 2,237 in June 2024. Homes stayed on the market an average of 43 days compared to 35 a year ago.

There were 1,030 homes on the market in Athens, up from 819 a year ago. Homes stayed on the market an average of 46 days compared to 40 a year ago.

There were 578 homes on the market in Decatur, up from 286 in June 2024. Homes stayed on the market an average of 52 days compared to 25 last year.

In Marshall County, there were 477 homes on the market last month, up from 355 in June of last year. Homes stayed on the market an average of 45 days compared to 40 a year ago.