John Wesley BrooksIf you hit the pause button on your moving plans in 2024, you’re far from alone. According to recent data, nearly 70% of buyers put their home search on hold last year — and it’s easy to see why. With rising mortgage rates, low inventory, and sky-high prices, the odds of finding the right home at the right price felt slim at best.
But the landscape has changed — especially here in Huntsville, Madison, and throughout North Alabama. If you’ve been waiting for the right time to jump back in, now might be it.
More Inventory = More Opportunities
One of the biggest frustrations for buyers over the last couple of years has been the lack of available homes. Even when the numbers worked, there just weren’t enough options that fit your budget and lifestyle. But now, the tide is turning.
According to Realtor.com, housing inventory is up 27.5% year-over-year. That’s great news whether you’re searching for your first home, looking to relocate, or needing to sell your current house and buy another.
And if you’ve been holding off on listing your home because you weren’t sure where you’d go next, this increase in options could give you the confidence to move forward. In short: your next home might finally be out there.
Homes Are Sitting Longer – And That’s a Good Thing
Remember the days when homes in Huntsville or Madison would sell within hours of hitting the market? While that kind of speed may have favored sellers, it put enormous pressure on buyers — especially if they also needed to sell and buy in quick succession.
Today, homes are staying on the market longer — about 8% longer than this time last year, according to national data. That translates to about a week more to tour homes, think through offers, and make confident decisions without feeling rushed.
As Hannah Jones, Senior Economic Research Analyst at Realtor.com, explains:
“There are more homes for sale than in the last few years, which means the market pace is a bit more manageable . . . buyers may find a bit more give in the market, which could give them more time to make a decision.”
For buyers and sellers alike, this slight shift could be the perfect balance — not too fast, not too slow — making it easier to move at your own pace.
Selling Still Works – If It’s Priced Right
If you’re wondering whether now’s a good time to sell in North Alabama, don’t stress. Inventory may be up, but it’s still nearly 23% below pre-pandemic levels. That means well-presented, competitively priced homes are still moving — especially with more buyers re-entering the market this spring and summer.
When you partner with a local expert like John Wesley Brooks and The Brooks Family of Realtors Team, you’ll have the advantage of real-time insights, strategic pricing, and a custom marketing approach that gets results in today’s evolving market.
Remember, The Brooks Family Of Realtors has been serving the North Alabama and Tennessee Families with their real estate needs since 1972.
