Reviewed by: Amelia Pilgrim
New Huntsville + Madison real estate listings decreased in December
Reading time: 3 minutes
As the year came to a close a few weeks ago, the real estate market in the Huntsville area saw a trend continue from November into December. New home listings continue to decrease in the area, and while that was not the case for all of the communities in the Huntsville metro, Madison and Huntsville saw significant decreases in multiple metrics.
However, our local real estate expert says this is not a bad thing.
The Huntsville-area real estate market at a glance
New listings in Decatur, Madison and Huntsville decreased again compared to the previous month, while Athens saw its number of new listings increase again.
Median home prices in those communities increased in December, while in Athens the median home price decreased as the number of new home listings increased.
| City | Median Home Price in December (% change from November) | New Listings in December (% change from November) | Homes Sold in December (% change from November) | Average Days on the Market (% change from November) |
| Huntsville | $310,000 (+3.4%) | 180 (-20.7%) | 181 (-6.7%) | 136 (+10.5%) |
| Athens | $289,336 (-3.2%) | 167 (+9.2%) | 101 (-8.2%) | 124 (-1.6%) |
| Madison | $395,000 (+2.7%) | 156 (-12.4%) | 123 (-5.4%) | 152 (+7.8) |
| Decatur | $257,070 (+7.1%) | 47 (-42.7%) | 72 (+2.9%) | 128 (+7.5%) |
Source: Valley MLS
What our expert says…
Realtor Jeanette McWhorter of First Choice Real Estate said what we’re seeing right now in Huntsville, Madison and Decatur is largely a seasonal inventory contraction, which is typical heading into late fall and winter.
In essence, she said, fewer sellers choose to list during this period, especially when many homeowners are locked into historically low interest rates and are reluctant to move unless there’s a compelling reason.
So is lower inventory cause for concern? McWhorter says “no.”
“Reduced inventory does not automatically mean rising prices. Price growth depends on the balance between supply and buyer demand. In today’s market, buyers are more rate-sensitive and cautious, which has tempered aggressive price increases.
In most North Alabama submarkets, we’re seeing price stability rather than sharp appreciation — well-priced, move-in-ready homes are selling, while overpriced listings are sitting longer or requiring adjustments.
Jeanette McWhorter, First Choice Real Estate
McWhorter did point out the difference in the metrics in Athens opposed to those with Huntsville, Madison and Decatur, as Athens actually saw an increase in new listings for consecutive months to close out 2025. She said this is driven in part most by a combination of new construction, available land and relative affordability compared to Huntsville and Madison.
Athens also offers homes with more space and value while remaining in close proximity to major employment hubs.
McWhorter added that the broader trend across North Alabama right now is “a more normalized, balanced market.”
“We’re no longer in the frenzy of recent years, but we’re also not seeing signs of distress. Buyers are being more selective, sellers need to price strategically, and homes that meet market expectations are still moving.”
Jeanette McWhorter, First Choice Real Estate
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