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As temperatures are starting to heat up, so is the housing market in communities around 280.
Overall, it’s a healthy and more balanced market compared to the past three to four years, said Carrie Lusk, real estate agent at Keller Williams Realty-Birmingham. However, homeowners should be prepared to be patient while selling in the current market, with homes taking an average of 45 to 75 days to sell, she added.
“While home prices and values have continued to rise overall, they are stable, and buyers now are realizing that mortgage rates may not drop significantly, and they are now the lowest they have been in the last three years,” Lusk said.
The market is seeing high demand, low inventory, rising prices, strong buyer interest and competitive, fast-paced sales, said Ellen Hottel, Realtor at eXp Realty.
“Homes that are well priced and in good condition are seeing strong interest immediately,” Hottel said. “The market is moving toward a more balanced state for both buyers and sellers.”
Those trends are similar to what’s happening in the market across Alabama. The state experienced a 4% increase in home sales in 2025, with the median sales price increasing 10% to about $234,000, according to the Annual Alabama Economic and Real Estate Report released by the Alabama Association of Realtors.
As people have begun to adapt to mortgage rates in the mid-6% range, there’s been less hesitation to buy and sell, Hottel said. When they’re ready to make a move, she encourages buyers to get pre-approved, act quickly due to the limited inventory and be prepared for potential bidding wars.
“Budget beyond price and be comfortable with the monthly payment,” Hottel said. “HOA fees, utilities and maintenance often add extra costs.”
It’s always a good idea for buyers to do their homework with lenders beforehand, as well, Lusk said.
“Don’t be afraid to inquire with a couple of good ones to get the best rate, and ask lots of questions of your lender and Realtor — especially if you need to sell your home while purchasing one, too,” Lusk said. “Be sure if a low rate sounds too good to be true, you ask for all the fees and prepaid expenses [to see] if it’s the best decision.”
Lusk encourages buyers to have lenders give them all of their options, especially if they’ve owned their home for more than a few years, because they might be surprised by how much equity they have in their home.
Pricing is another important component to consider before putting a home on the market to ensure it’s appropriate for the comps in the community.
“For a faster sale, consider pricing it slightly under comps to attract multiple showings and have the potential for more than one great offer,” Lusk said. “You have the first 14 days on the market to have the most online eyes on your property, so you must make the most of that opportunity. Then when a buyer walks into your home, they make decisions within seven to 10 seconds to keep looking and buy — or not.”
