buying or selling

Buying or Selling: Which Side Has the Upper Hand This Fall?

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As the leaves begin to change, so too does the landscape of Lee County’s real estate market. Whether you’re considering buying or selling, it’s essential to understand the current market dynamics to make informed decisions. With recent statistics painting a picture of opportunities and challenges, this fall presents a more balanced market, offering benefits for both buyers and sellers.

A market overview

Recent data from Lee County’s August 2025 Residential Report provides a snapshot of a market in transition. Total homes listed in Lee County increased by 1.3% from last year, with properties sold seeing a modest rise of 1.5%. 

The average days on the market remained steady at 54, but the average sold price surged by 13.2% to $466,286. These figures suggest a more competitive environment in our area, emphasizing the need for strategic planning, whether you’re buying or selling.

Buying in Lee County

For buyers, the increase in average sold prices signals a need for careful budgeting and strategic planning. For example, with Auburn showing a notable 13.7% rise in average sold prices and Opelika seeing a 12.0% increase, buyers should be prepared for competitive bidding, especially in high-demand areas.

Use these helpful tips as a potential buyer:

  • Work with a local REALTOR®: Experienced REALTORS®, like our members, can provide invaluable insights into neighborhood trends and help negotiate the best deals.
  • Expand your search: Consider areas like Opelika, where the average days on the market decreased by 34.4%, suggesting quicker sales and potentially more motivated sellers.
  • Stay informed: Keep an eye on listings and set alerts for new properties to act quickly in this dynamic market.

Selling in Lee County

On the flip side, sellers are in a favorable position with the rising property values. In Auburn, despite a 14.8% decrease in total homes listed, properties sold increased by 15.6%. This suggests that well-priced homes are still attracting buyers swiftly.

Check out our helpful tips for sellers:

  • Price strategically: With the average sold price significantly up, setting a competitive price can attract serious buyers quickly.
  • Enhance curb appeal: A well-maintained property can stand out in listings and during viewings.
  • Leverage local expertise: REALTORS® can offer tailored marketing strategies to showcase your home to the right audience.

Summary

Whether buying or selling this fall, working with local, experienced REALTORS® is key to navigating this balanced market. Their deep understanding of neighborhood nuances and market trends can be the difference between a satisfactory transaction and a missed opportunity.

For personalized advice and to explore your options, connect with a Lee County REALTOR® today. Keep reading our blogs for more insights and tips on navigating the ever-changing real estate landscape of Lee County.

NAR Leadership Week 2025

Ways To Participate in NAR Leadership Week 2025

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Being a successful Realtor® requires an array of skills, and leadership is undoubtedly one of those. NAR Leadership Week 2025, taking place August 10-15, is an opportunity for industry professionals to enhance their leadership skills and broaden their professional horizons.

While our future board members and officers will be attending the Leadership Summit in Chicago, there are several ways for local Realtors® in Lee County to engage meaningfully from home. Check out how you can make the most of NAR Leadership Week 2025.

Register for a continuing education course.

One of the simplest yet most effective ways to participate in NAR Leadership Week 2025 is by enrolling in a continuing education (CE) course. These courses are designed to sharpen your skills and keep you informed about the latest industry trends and regulations.

Whether you are interested in marketing strategies or legal compliance, courses that suit your needs are available.

Become an Accredited Buyer’s Representative.

Consider taking the next step in your professional journey by becoming an Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR). This designation boosts your credibility and equips you with specialized skills to better serve your clients. By earning this accreditation, you demonstrate your commitment to excellence and leadership in the real estate industry.

Host a workshop.

Organizing a workshop is a good way to share your knowledge and connect with your community. You can invite participants to learn about the ins and outs of the home buying and selling process or delve into other relevant real estate topics.

This is not only an opportunity to position yourself as a thought leader but also a chance to build valuable relationships with potential clients and peers.

Make your open house an event.

Transform a standard open house into a memorable event. Consider adding live demonstrations, Q&A sessions or a local vendor showcase to attract more visitors. By creating an engaging experience, you’re more likely to leave a lasting impression and generate leads.

Refresh your online presence.

Take this week as an opportunity to give your online presence a makeover. Update your website with recent testimonials, new listings or informative blog posts.

Enhance your social media channels by creating engaging content, such as Reels or TikTok videos that provide insider views of your daily work life or tours of new listings. A strong online presence helps you reach a wider audience and establish your brand.

Create a community mailer.

Introduce yourself to a new area by crafting a community mailer. This is an ideal way to announce your services, share your expertise and invite residents to upcoming events. A well-designed mailer can increase your visibility and help forge new community connections.

Summary

In summary, NAR Leadership Week 2025 presents an opportunity to network, generate leads and foster community ties. By participating in these activities, you enhance your professional development and contribute to the thriving real estate market in Lee County. Keep reading our blogs for more industry news and insight.

make your open house a success

8 Ways To Make Your Open House a Success

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As a Realtor in a competitive marketplace with inventory continually increasing, are you doing all you can to make your listings stand out? Planning an open house? Here are eight ways to make your open house a success in 2024! 

Focus on the main objectives. 

Remember the three main objectives of having an open house to make your open house a success. First, an open house generates leads. Second, it’s a time to promote your brand. And the third objective is to sell the listing. 

Hence, every step you take before, during and after the open house should help achieve those goals. 

Research the area.

Before the open house, get to know the ins and outs of your listing and those of similar listings in the area. 

Go beyond online research and do a walk-through of some of the properties, and note what features each offer that your listing may not and what your listing offers that they do not. Then, you will be ready to share your local knowledge with comparable details on your listing and others in the area if a potential buyer asks. 

Schedule appropriately. 

And when it comes to scheduling, know your market. Will an afternoon or after-work open house be best? Or are weekends more flexible? Don’t forget to check the community calendar to plan your event around other popular happenings in town. 

Use your network to partner with another local business. 

Partner with one or several local businesses for cross-promotions. Whether it’s a local restaurant or bakery providing small bites and sweets or an interior designer offering a raffle item or a free consultation, create excitement with your open house.  

Promote your open house.

Use various strategies to promote your open house. Consider writing a blog about the upcoming event and feature the home on your website. If you posted a property showcase on the home, re-share it on your homepage with a new graphic and blurb about the upcoming open house.

Share the open house details on social media, including any cool cross-promotions, giveaways and more. Create print materials to reach a wider audience. Send direct mailers to target markets. Hand out fliers, hit the streets with door hangers and post unique signage. 

Make it an event.

Showcase local talent and have live music in the living room or backyard. Display the works of local artists and host an “art exhibition.” Max out your cross-promotions with raffles and giveaways.

Have a sign-in sheet.

Start by kindly letting guests know upon entering that the homeowner requests each visitor sign in for security purposes. But instead of a pen and notebook, hand them an iPad and use an app like the Open Home Pro, for example. 

Be ready to answer buyer questions.

Demonstrate your expertise by being prepared to answer common buyer questions, ranging from house background to information about the neighborhood. A few common questions include how long the sellers have lived there, why they are moving, the age of the appliances, the average monthly utility bill and how old the roof is.

Summary

Finally, make your open house a success by having informative handouts and promotional items set out. Share statistics about the home, the neighborhood, local services, the school district and other helpful information. Have water bottles with your name and contact info printed on the labels. Bring other seasonal goodies, like sunglasses or hats, with your logo to promote your brand. Keep reading our blogs for more Realtor tips and news! 

recognizing September as Agent Safety Month

NAR: Recognizing September as Agent Safety Month

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September is one busy month, but recognizing September as Agent Safety Month doesn’t need to get pushed off your action-packed calendar! Take a minute to look over these helpful safety tips and more.

Did you know?

The National Association of REALTORS® created the REALTOR® Safety Program more than 10 years ago. The program is designed to keep agent safety at the forefront of a Realtor’s daily planning.

By practicing precaution, the number of safety incidents happening in the industry can be reduced. That’s why recognizing September as Agent Safety Month continues to be a top priority in Lee County.

Safety tips for Realtors

The good news is Realtors have quick access to plenty of safety-oriented materials nowadays. The NAR alone offers personal protection resources, tips, videos, webinars and more—all about safety.

Here are several tips to help get you started when it comes to formulating a safety plan.

Tell people where you are going.

Tell people—colleagues, friends, family—where you are going, who you are meeting (including providing names and contact info) and when you expect to be finished. Consider creating a Google calendar that you share with those closest to you, for instance.

Set a safe schedule.

Set a schedule you are comfortable with. If that means no meetings after dark, so be it. Clearly communicate your available hours for in-person meetings and showings in your marketing materials and website.

Keep up with your car maintenance.

From regular oil changes to tire checks to keeping jumper cables in your car, be prepared. Also, try and keep your gas tank half-full in case you get lost or the property is more remote than expected.

Stay charged.

Make sure your phone is fully charged and you have a car charger with you too. Consider using a mobile hotspot to help with cell phone reception. Plus, a personal hotspot is good for data security in general.

Be wary of what you share. 

Guard your personal information along with your clients’. Be careful not to “overshare” personal information with new or potential clients as well.

Pick public spaces.

Meet new clients in your office or a public place like a coffee shop for initial meetings.

Be observant.

Follow behind your clients while showing them a property. Do not lead them. This helps you stay aware of what is happening at all times.

Use the 10-second rule.

Apply the 10-second rule. Give yourself time (at least 10 seconds) to assess a situation and your surroundings when you arrive.

Follow best practices for open houses.

Put “best practices” into place for open houses. Don’t host them alone if possible. Check all rooms, windows and doors before leaving and locking up. Be sure to check closets and the backyard too.

Know your way out.

Always have a backup plan and exit strategy in case something goes awry.

Summary

By recognizing September as Agent Safety Month, you recognize that it is actually a year-round task. Take this month to update your safety plan. Then talk about it with your colleagues and family. Finally, put it into place. Keep reading our blogs for more industry news and additional real estate resources.