June 2025 Real Estate Market Update for Athens, GA
🏡 June 2025 Real Estate Market Update: Are We in a Market Shift?
If you’ve been following along with our YouTube channel or checking in here at 5mrealty.com, you know me — I’m Scott Talley, owner and broker at 5 Market Realty. Each month, I share insights into what’s happening in the local real estate market for Clarke and Oconee County, and this month’s update covers the big question:
👉 Are we in a market shift?
Let’s dig into what we’re seeing so far in 2025.
đź“Š A Slower Spring Than Expected
We’re now five months into the year, and while the number of new listings is only about 2% behind 2024, which had a solid start, the pace of sales has not kept up. The days on market are up significantly — currently at 56 days, which is a 23% increase from last year. That’s a major signal that things are slowing down.
The average home sale price is holding steady at around $490K, a modest 4.3% increase year-over-year. For buyers, this slowing appreciation is a welcome shift — prices are no longer skyrocketing as they did in recent years.
But here’s the catch: the number of homes sold is nearly identical to 2023 — 603 so far in 2025 compared to 596 in 2023 — and 2023 was already a slow year for transactions.
đź“… A Closer Look at May 2025
May is usually the busiest month in residential real estate, but this year told a different story:
- New Listings: 186 — down 12% from 2024
- Days on Market: Up 16%
- Average Sale Price: $481K, down slightly from $489K
- Total Homes Sold: Only 147 — a staggering 32% drop from last year, and 14% below 2023
Let me clarify: prices aren’t necessarily falling. The decline in average sale price simply reflects that more lower-priced homes sold this month. Higher-end homes are sitting longer, and transaction volume is down.
🧠Know the Market You’re In
If there’s one takeaway from this update, it’s this: real estate is hyper-local.
In some markets — like homes under $1M in Oconee County or condos near UGA campus in Clarke County — demand remains steady and sellers have a bit more leverage. In others, particularly the $1M+ range, buyers are gaining negotiating power as homes sit longer on the market.
The cost of borrowing is still a barrier for many would-be buyers. With mortgage rates still elevated, many homeowners (myself included!) are holding onto their existing low rates and choosing not to make a move.
🤝 Negotiations Are Back
Another theme in 2025: negotiations are happening in nearly every deal. Whether it’s price adjustments, closing cost contributions, or seller concessions, most buyers and sellers are having to meet in the middle. There are a few exceptions where homes move fast and sellers hold the cards, but those are rare.
Understanding your specific price point and neighborhood is more critical than ever.
📬 Final Thoughts
So, are we in a market shift?
Yes — we’re seeing signs of deceleration, not collapse. The frenzy is gone, and what’s left is a market that’s more balanced, with room for smart negotiation and opportunity, especially for buyers who know where to look.
Whether you’re buying, selling, or investing — or even trying to decide whether to rent or purchase a home for a student — we’re here to help you navigate it all.
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đź“ž (706) 850-4636
📬 Reach out anytime: Contact Us
Be sure to like this video đź”” Subscribe to our channel for monthly updates, and thanks for hanging with me for another deep dive into the Athens real estate market.
Thanks for watching and being part of our community. Here’s to a great summer ahead!