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Q1 Econ Report: Spring Market Shows Growing Inventory Amid Stable Prices

04/30/2025

The first quarter of 2025 reveals a shifting landscape in Madison County’s residential real estate market, with growing inventory levels and steady sales despite higher days on market.

Key Highlights

  • Home sales increased 7% compared to Q1 2024, with 1,556 units sold
  • Available inventory surged 40% year-over-year, reaching 2,530 homes in March 2025
  • Median sales price held steady at $324,900, virtually unchanged from Q1 2024
  • Days on market climbed to 64, a 45% increase from the previous year
  • Months of supply rose to 4.7 months, indicating a shift toward a more balanced market
  • New construction remained strong, accounting for 37% of total sales
The market continues to return to pre-pandemic levels after years of tight inventory, with increased choices for buyers across all price ranges. Notably, homes priced below $150,000 saw a 61% increase in sales compared to Q1 2024, while luxury homes above $800,000 continued their upward sales trend.
Madison County’s strong economic foundations remain intact, with population growth reaching an estimated 423,355 residents, median household income rising to $83,523, and the county’s GDP growing to $30.9 billion in 2023.
With mortgage rates averaging around 6.7% in March and inflation easing to 2.4%, the market appears to be transitioning toward greater stability, offering more opportunities for both buyers and sellers in the coming quarters.
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HAAR Staff Certified as Professional Standard Admins

04/21/2025

🎉 We’re thrilled and proud to announce Education & Events Coordinator Ashley Murata and Education Director Jay Jennings were both certified last week as Professional Standards Administrators!
📖 Having association staff certified as Professional Standards Administrators is absolutely critical to properly serving our REALTOR® members. These certified administrators bring specialized knowledge of the Code of Ethics enforcement process, ensuring complaints are handled with consistency, fairness, and in accordance with NAR guidelines.

⚖️ Professional Standards Administrators who have completed certification training understand the nuances of due process, proper documentation, and confidentiality requirements that protect both the complainant and respondent throughout ethics proceedings.
✔️ Certified administrators also serve as valuable resources for members navigating ethics concerns, providing guidance that helps resolve issues early and maintain professional relationships within the community.

Congratulations, Ashley and Jay!
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What’s new from Cubi Casa for ValleyMLS Subscribers?

03/06/2025

Take a look at what’s NEW and FREE at your fingertips from CubiCasa as a ValleyMLS Subscriber!

CubiCasa February Newsletter

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Redstone Golf Card Program Ending March 31st

03/06/2025

PLEASE NOTE! The Huntsville Area Association of REALTORS® were recently notified that the Redstone Arsenal Department of Family Morale, Welfare and Recreation (DFMWR) has decided to no longer participate in the Tee 4 Troops program.
Please be advised that as of 31 March, 2025, the use of the program’s cards for free greens fee and the use of coupons obtained through the Tee 4 Troops website will no longer be accepted at the Links at Redstone.
Over the years, HAAR members helped to contribute in excess of $30,000 in support of active and retired military members within the Huntsville community. 
 
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NAR 2024 Year in Review: A New Era Begins

01/30/2025

The Sitzer-Burnett settlement was a focal point as national, state and local associations worked together to keep members and consumers informed—and association leaders laid the groundwork for the path ahead.
The National Association of REALTORS® released its 2024 Year in Review on Tuesday. The 33-page report is an assessment of the organization’s past year, highlighting member benefits across eight areas—and promising a new mission-driven era.
Last year brought significant milestones for the association, including settlement of the Sitzer-Burnett lawsuit, implementation of residential practice changes for members, and approval of Culture Transformation Commission recommendations to bring greater accountability and transparency. All this came as members worked to navigate a challenging market, with limited inventory, higher interest rates and shifting living and work patterns.
“The past year tested our resilience as an industry, as an association and as individuals,” NAR President Kevin Sears said in a letter that opened the report. “As we embark on 2025, I want to express my gratitude to you—our members, the broker community, the local and state associations, and our MLS and industry partners—for the incredible work you’ve done to push through these challenges and help set the stage for our industry’s future.”

Building Trust, Collaboration

NAR CEO Nykia Wright said the association must evolve to meet the needs of members “today and tomorrow” while building on the momentum generated last year.
“In 2024, we cut costs and passed our first balanced budget in at least 10 years,” Wright said. “We also conducted in-depth research to begin laying the groundwork for a new member experience.”
She added: “The work to redefine our broker relationships; better leverage our relationships with state and local associations to optimize member value; build on our strategic partnerships with aligned Institutes, Societies and Councils; demonstrate our appreciation for the many volunteer leaders who are instrumental to driving our mission forward; and reposition our staff to meet the ever-growing needs of these stakeholder populations will shape our 2025 activities.”
Wright has engaged two new partners in the effort: In early January, NAR announced that Sherry Chris, former CEO of Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate and ERA Real Estate, would join the association as a special advisor to help strengthen relationships, build trust and enhance collaboration with brokerage leaders. On Jan. 15, Jarrod Grasso was named senior vice president of industry relations for NAR, a role dedicated to enhancing the association’s relationship with state and local association leaders. Grasso joins NAR after serving the New Jersey REALTORS® for more than two decades, most recently as their CEO.

Supporting Member Success

In 2024, to assist members in preparing for practice changes outlined in the settlement, NAR launched facts.realtor to provide updates and guidance. The resource includes more than 120 FAQs, a legal video series that garnered more than 800,000 views, and more than a dozen consumer guides, in English and Spanish, for members to use while working with clients. The association also provided its Accredited Buyer’s Representation (ABR®) designation course at no cost to members; nearly 162,000 REALTORS® took advantage of that benefit.
More than 1,000 NAR members joined a grassroots effort—as surrogates—in 2024 to help educate consumers about the practice changes. Those interested in joining the program can email surrogates@nar.realtor.
In the advocacy arena, NAR scored significant wins: defending private property rights, securing the OK for VA buyers to compensate their brokers directly as the Department of Veterans Affairs studies the issue further, and supporting industry-friendly policies and candidates at all levels of government. The REALTORS® Political Action Committee—which backed 50% Democratic and 50% Republican federal candidates—achieved a 97% success rate in the 2024 election cycle.
Underpinning NAR’s advocacy success is a highly regarded research team that provides thought leadership and produces key housing market data and research reports. In 2024, NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun, Deputy Chief Economist Jessica Lautz and their team spoke at more than 400 in-person and virtual visits across our 1,100-plus local and state associations, brokerages and third-party organizations. NAR’s research content generated 1.9 million website visits, 240,000 report downloads and 100,000 social shares in 2024, signifying the appetite members and consumers have for reliable housing data and research reports.
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Sid Pugh named 2024 Broker Excellence Award Winner

01/09/2025

The Huntsville Area Association of REALTORS® (HAAR) has awarded its prestigious 2024 Broker Excellence Award to Sid Pugh, Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Alliance. The award recognizes outstanding leadership, professionalism, and contributions to the real estate industry.
With 45 years of industry experience, Pugh has demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing professional standards in real estate. As Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Alliance, he has created a culture of excellence through comprehensive agent training programs, including weekly masterminds, technology education, and professional development opportunities.
“Sid Pugh exemplifies the highest standards of broker leadership,” said HAAR and ValleyMLS CEO Kurtis Krueger. “His dedication to agent development, community service, and industry advocacy has made a lasting impact on real estate in North Alabama and beyond.”
Pugh’s leadership extends well beyond his brokerage. He served as President of the Alabama Association of REALTORS® in 2018 and currently chairs the National Association of REALTORS® Business Issues Policy Committee. He also serves as Federal Political Coordinator for Alabama Senior United States Senator Tommy Tuberville, advocating for policies that strengthen property rights and homeownership.
Pugh’s leadership extends well beyond his brokerage. He served as President of the Alabama Association of REALTORS® in 2018 and currently chairs the National Association of REALTORS® Business Issues Policy Committee.
He also serves as Federal Political Coordinator for Alabama Senior United States Senator Tommy Tuberville, advocating for policies that strengthen property rights and homeownership.
His achievements include being named REALTOR® of the Year at both state and local levels in 2019, receiving the RE/MAX Circle of Legends award, and leading the #1 RE/MAX Team in Alabama multiple times. In 2020, he was inducted into the Huntsville/Madison County Builders Housing Hall of Fame.
Pugh’s community involvement includes founding the Mt. Carmel Recreation Center, supporting the Children’s Miracle Network, and participating in Habitat for Humanity projects. A retired U.S. Army serviceman, he continues to support veteran causes and various youth programs in the Huntsville area.
The Broker Excellence Award recognizes Pugh’s outstanding contributions to agent education, industry leadership, and community service over his distinguished career.
The Huntsville Area Association of REALTORS® is a member-driven organization of nearly 4,000 real estate professionals. HAAR informs, influences, and empowers a thriving real estate market by focusing on education, advocacy, and connections.
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Habitat for Humanity wants to hear from you!

01/09/2025

Habitat for Humanity of the River Valley wants to hear from YOU as part of their strategic planning process. Join us next Tuesday because your opinion matters!
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BREAKING: Court Blocks FinCen Reporting Requirement for Small Businesses

12/04/2024

Earlier this year, HAAR shared the Alabama REALTORS® Guide to the Corporate Transparency Act, covering a law which included potentially onerous reporting requirements for small businesses to take effect in 2025.
News was reported Tuesday, December 3rd that a Texas judge issued a nationwide preliminary injunction against the enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), questioning its constitutionality and its impact on small businesses.
The CTA, enacted as part of broader anti-money laundering efforts, mandates companies to disclose their beneficial ownership information to a federal database maintained by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).
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REALTOR® GUIDE TO CTA
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RPAC Washington Update: December 17

11/01/2024

Advocacy Scoop from NAR Chief Advocacy Officer Shannon McGahn

In the last episode of Advocacy Scoop this season, Patrick Newton and Shannon McGahn recap the extensive list of Advocacy Wins for 2024. The fight for affordability, availability, and accessibility comes in many forms, and detail the top wins in each of the five advocacy areas: legislative, policy, judicial, state and local, and political. 

NAR Comments on FHFA's Planned Expansion of Appraisal Waiver Programs

On December 10, 2024, NAR issued a comment letter to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) asking them to halt the recently announced expansion of the Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s (the GSEs) appraisal waiver programs in lieu of further analysis and public input.
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NAR Consumer Guides

This month, NAR announced a new series of consumer resources designed to help agents who are REALTORS® empower home buyers and sellers following recent practice changes. To date, NAR has published six installments in the series and will continue to release new resources in the weeks ahead. Read More…

Setting the Record Straight on APOA

The National Association of REALTORS® is providing the facts after a recent article in The New York Times mischaracterized a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, the American Property Owners Alliance (APOA), that receives NAR funding. In this Realtor Party News article, NAR lays out the portrayal of the APOA is not only biased but, at times, factually incorrect.  Read the full article…

December NAR Advocacy Spotlight

  • NAR is urging Congress to fund the government and extend the National Flood Insurance Program prior to the Dec. 20 deadline. 
  • Shannon McGahn was included in The Hill’s annual list of top lobbyists: the list are some of the best in the business and have been go-to advocates during a year defined by unprecedented political events, legislative logjams, federal spending cut crusades, and big rulemaking swings by the outgoing Biden administration.
  • The 2023-2024 Political Advocacy talking points were updated.
  • On December 3, NAR hosted “Maximizing Impact with Community Outreach Grants and Resources Webinar.”
  • NAR sat down with FEMA for an interview that explored the implications of reauthorization and reforms to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP): Flood Insurance at a Crossroads: NFIP Reforms, Risks and Real Estate Impacts.
  • Bryan Greene, Vice President of Policy Advocacy, had an interview with Newsday on policy changes we can expect in 2025 and advice for buyers and sellers – to run in Jan. 2025.
  • On December 10, 2024, NAR issued a comment letter to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) asking them to halt the recently announced expansion of the Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s (the GSEs) appraisal waiver programs in lieu of further analysis and public input. 
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Don’t miss out on the all-new Collaboration Center

10/01/2024

Join the Paragon Training team to learn more about the recent updates to the Collaboration Center in the Paragon suite.  
You’ll get a chance to view your favorite features in a redesigned UI and marvel over the speed and performance upgrades available. Don’t miss out on this special chance to connect with our team to learn more and ask questions. 
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