Why Birmingham's Real Estate Market is Outperforming the Nation

Across the country, the real estate market has entered what many experts are calling a “flat” phase. Nationally, rising mortgage rates, inflation pressures, and affordability challenges have cooled buyer demand. Sellers are hesitant to list, buyers are taking longer to make decisions, and overall sales activity has slowed compared to the boom years we recently experienced.

But here in Birmingham, the story looks a little different.

While the national market is seeing a slowdown, Birmingham continues to hold steady—and in many ways outperform. Our city has always benefited from being one of the most affordable major metro areas in the country. That affordability, combined with strong job growth, new development, and consistent demand, has kept our local market far more resilient than the national average.

Here are a few key reasons why Birmingham is faring better:

• Affordability Advantage: Home prices here remain well below national averages, making Birmingham attractive for both first-time buyers and re-locators.

• Steady Demand: From young families to retirees, there is consistent demand across multiple price points, especially in desirable neighborhoods and suburbs.

• Balanced Market: Unlike many overheated markets, Birmingham never saw extreme spikes, which means we aren’t facing the same dramatic corrections others are experiencing.

• Homes are moving faster: Our median time on market is roughly 43 days, a touch quicker than the national average. That means demand locally is holding steady, and well-priced homes are still selling in a timely way.

What does this mean for you? If you’re a homeowner, Birmingham’s stability is good news for property values. If you’re a buyer, opportunities are still strong—especially compared to higher-priced markets where affordability is a real challenge.

Let's dive deeper into the local market, where the numbers are even stronger:

The bottom line: while the national headlines may sound gloomy, our local market continues to be one of the most stable and promising in the country.