Montgomery, Ala. – (April 25, 2023) – According to the March 2023 Alabama Economic and Real Estate Reportreleased by the Alabama Association of REALTORS®, Alabama’s spring housing market is in a unique position. 

Historically, sales in April begin to pick up with the warmer spring weather, but there is conflicting data that suggests potential headwinds in the housing market. “Alabama is seeing mixed signals in our spring market data,” says RaJane Johnson, Alabama REALTORS® 2023 President. “Active residential listings are staying on the market longer and fewer new listings are coming available. This data signals a slower spring market that is likely to remain competitive for Alabama’s buyers.” 

Alabama had considerably more active residential listings at the end of March compared to one year ago, representing a 64.1% annual increase. However, March listings were down 177 listings relative to last month and mark the fourth consecutive month of decline. 

Home sales activity dipped in March as home buyers remain sensitive to movement in mortgage rates. After peaking at 6.73% in the second week of March, the average 30-year fixed rate has fallen to 6.27% as of April 13, 2023. A single percentage point makes a $155 difference in the monthly payment for a 30-year mortgage on the average priced home in Alabama. 

“It’s a unique housing market. While our report has found marginal increases in consumer confidence may help spur home buying this spring season, there is also conflicting data that suggests the opposite,” says Alabama REALTORS® CEO Jeremy Walker. “The combination of potentially higher interest rates and tightening lending standards may continue to weigh on home buying activity.” 

Here are more key indicators from March home sales, according to our latest report: 

• Home sales: Alabama had 6,891 home sales in March. This is a decrease of 1,912 sales compared to March of last year. The decline in sales for March marks the seventh consecutive month of declining sales. Increasing interest rates to start the month weighed on the housing market. 
• Home prices: The median sales price decreased by $13,846 compared to a year ago, to $204,841. This is an annual decrease of 6.3%. The average, or mean, sales price decreased by 11.9% year-over-year in March 2023. While there was a year-over-year decline, the average price increased by 0.4% compared to February 2023. 
• Sales volume: The sold dollar volume was 1.6 billion in March, a decrease of 0.8 billion from last March. This is a 33.3% decrease. This decline in sold dollar volume is driven primarily by the decrease in the number of sales rather than by decreasing sales prices. 
• Days on the market: Homes sold in March were on the market for 58 days, on average. This figure is 24 days longer compared to one year ago, but 9 fewer days compared to February 2023. In line with seasonal trends, Alabama homes stayed on the market for a shorter period in March 2023 compared to the previous four months. 
• Supply levels: Housing supply levels continued their upward trajectory in March 2023 as there were 2.4 months of supply. This figure is more than the 1.5 months available one year ago and is the highest level of supply since June 2020. 

The Alabama Economic and Real Estate Report is published monthly and annually by the Alabama Association of REALTORS®. Click here to view the full monthly and annual reports. 

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About Alabama REALTORS® 

The Alabama Association of REALTORS® (AAR) is the largest statewide organization of real estate professionals comprised of over 19,000 members from 23 boards and 1,200 real estate companies. United by adherence to a Code of Ethics, our members work as real estate professionals in the sale, lease, appraisal, management and development of residential, commercial, rural and resort properties throughout Alabama. 

The goal of AAR’s Economic and Real Estate Report is to produce timely, data driven economic and market analysis, authoritative business intelligence to serve members, and inform consumers, policymakers and the media in a professional and accessible manner.