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Atlanta Core Metro Home Prices Dip 5% Amid Rising Inventory

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  Published in House and Home on Tuesday, November 18th 2025 at 12:42 GMT by WSB-TV

Core Metro Atlanta Home Prices Dip in Latest Market Snapshot

A new data release from the Core Metro Atlanta real‑estate market shows a measurable decline in median home prices across the region. According to the latest report, which WSB-TV’s local news team has broken down for viewers, sellers are seeing their average sale price drop by roughly 4‑5% over the past six months—while inventory levels have risen, giving buyers more options and extending the time it takes for homes to move.

Key Numbers

The median sale price has slipped from the $350k mark—an increase that the national real‑estate platform Zillow had projected as the new peak for the region—to $332,500. This figure sits 4.5% below the 2022 high but remains well above the pre‑COVID-19 baseline of $310,000.

Year‑over‑year growth has also moderated, with the recent 2.3% increase lagging far behind the 9.2% rise seen at the same point in 2022. This slowing pace points to a softening demand curve, even as inventory continues to climb.

Active listings rose 29.5% to 2,850, pushing months of inventory to 2.7, up from 2.1. That means a buyer now has roughly 2.7 months’ worth of available homes in the core metro, compared to 2.1 months in the prior cycle—a shift that historically favors buyers.

The average home took 37 days to close, compared with 28 days in the previous period—a 9‑day increase that signals a longer “walk‑through” period for prospective buyers.

Drivers Behind the Decline

1. Mortgage Rate Increases

Federal Reserve policy shifts have nudged mortgage rates higher over the last year. WSB’s reporting cites a 200‑basis‑point jump in the 30‑year fixed‑rate benchmark, which has translated into higher monthly payments for buyers. When lenders raise rates, the affordability threshold falls, which dampens buyer enthusiasm and pushes sellers to lower prices to stay competitive.

2. Supply‑Demand Imbalance

The report emphasizes that the supply side is outpacing demand. More homes are going on the market—particularly in high‑end suburbs like Alpharetta and Johns Creek—while buyer interest has slowed. The net effect is a “buyers’ market” in which sellers must lower prices or risk languishing on the market for longer.

3. Economic Uncertainty

Local job growth in Atlanta’s tech and logistics sectors remains solid, but inflationary pressures, rising commodity costs, and potential recession fears have tempered enthusiasm among first‑time buyers and investors alike. “We’re seeing a mix of cautious buyers who are looking for more favorable terms and a supply curve that’s simply bigger than demand right now,” one local broker told WSB. “That’s why the median price has dipped.”

Local Market Nuances

While the overall core metro trend shows a modest decline, the impact is uneven across the region:

• Northwest Suburbs (Roswell, Johns Creek): Prices fell 6%, driven by a wave of new listings in high‑end 4‑bedroom homes. The average days on market rose to 45.
• Southeast (Decatur, Brookhaven): Prices remained largely flat, with a slight 1% dip, reflecting a more balanced inventory.
• Urban Core (Downtown Atlanta, Midtown): Luxury condos saw a 3% price drop, but the overall market for these units remained highly competitive, with average days on market staying under 20.

The WSB article notes that these sub‑regional differences are partly due to zoning changes in some neighborhoods and the influx of new construction projects that have recently gone on the market.

How This Fits Nationally

WSB’s article draws a comparison with the National Association of Realtors (NAR) national data, which shows a 1.2% median price decline for the U.S. overall during the same period. This means Atlanta’s core metro region is experiencing a more pronounced price shift relative to the national trend. Analysts attribute this to higher local rates, a more aggressive supply build‑out, and the region’s specific economic profile.

Advice for Buyers and Sellers

Buyers:
- With inventory up and prices down, now could be a favorable time to negotiate.
- Consider pre‑approval and lock in a mortgage rate early to mitigate the impact of future rate hikes.

Sellers:
- Pricing competitively is crucial. The article advises not to rely on the last “hot” price point, as buyers have more options.
- Staging and professional photography can reduce days on market, helping to avoid a prolonged listing.

Additional Resources

WSB-TV’s original coverage includes a short video segment that links to a deeper dive on Zillow’s Home Price Index for the Atlanta area, providing a graphical view of price changes over the past 12 months. Viewers can also follow a link to the local Realtors Association’s monthly market report for more granular data, including breakdowns by city and price tier.

Bottom Line

Atlanta’s core metro housing market is shifting from a seller‑favorable landscape to a more balanced environment, with median home prices easing by about 5% and inventory levels rising. While the market remains healthy overall, both buyers and sellers need to adapt their strategies: buyers should capitalize on increased inventory and slightly lower prices, and sellers should adjust their asking prices and marketing tactics to align with the new market realities. The trend points toward a more measured pace of price growth in the coming months, offering a clearer, more realistic outlook for those navigating Atlanta’s competitive real‑estate scene.