Vital Signs provides a visual representation of what's happening in the Alabama Gulf Coast real estate market. The color-coded numbers represent the absorption rate; the number of months it would take to sell every home on the market in a particular price range if no others were added. If the market is moving quickly, the absorption rate will fall below six months of supply, and if it's more of a buyer's market, it will jump above six months of supply. The rate is determined by dividing the number of units currently on the market by the number sold in the past month.

Baldwin County Real Estate Market Update: December 2025 vs January 2026

As Baldwin County moved from December into January, the market began its typical early-year reset. While overall activity softened slightly in several areas, January data reveals a more defined separation between price points, locations, and property types. In short, demand didn't disappear. It became more selective.

Eastern Shore: Daphne, Fairhope & Spanish Fort

Across the Eastern Shore, January showed a general cooling from December's stronger mid-range momentum, particularly in Daphne and Fairhope.

• Daphne saw months of supply rise in most price ranges under $400,000, shifting several segments from seller-leaning to more balanced. Notably, homes between $100,000–$199,999 jumped from just over four months of supply in December to 11 months in January, reflecting slower entry-level absorption.
• Fairhope remained one of the steadiest markets in the county. While months of supply increased across most brackets, the $200,000–$499,999 range stayed near healthy, balanced conditions. Luxury inventory above $750,000 continued to build, signaling a longer runway for higher-end listings.
• Spanish Fort experienced one of the sharper slowdowns month over month. Several price ranges doubled or more in months of supply, particularly above $500,000. That said, the $200,000–$399,999 range remains relatively active and competitive compared to other submarkets.

Eastern Shore takeaway: Buyer demand is still present, but pricing precision matters more in January than it did at year's end.

North & Central Baldwin: Bay Minette, Stapleton, Loxley, Robertsdale & Summerdale

January brought mixed results across Baldwin's more rural and developing areas.

• Bay Minette and Stapleton showed increased balance in lower and mid price ranges, though limited sales activity caused volatility in months of supply at certain price points. These markets remain highly sensitive to small shifts in inventory.
• Loxley, Robertsdale, and Summerdale saw months of supply rise notably between $300,000–$499,999, pushing some segments into buyer-friendly territory. Entry-level homes, however, continued to move more efficiently.

North Baldwin takeaway: Inventory growth is outpacing sales in several mid-range brackets, giving buyers more leverage than they had in December.

Foley & Lillian / Elberta

• Foley remained one of the most active markets in the county, but January showed clear signs of slowing. Months of supply increased in nearly every category, especially between $400,000–$499,999, which jumped into strongly buyer-leaning territory.
• Lillian and Elberta experienced a noticeable pullback in sales activity. Several price ranges recorded little to no closings, causing months of supply to rise sharply. This market appears to be entering a pause after stronger late-2025 momentum.

Foley & South Baldwin takeaway: Activity is still there, but buyers are taking their time and sellers need to adjust expectations.

Coastal Markets: Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

The coast continues to behave like its own ecosystem, with clear differences between homes and condos.

• Gulf Shores homes saw a meaningful slowdown in January, especially in the luxury brackets. Months of supply above $750,000 surged, reinforcing that high-end coastal homes are facing longer market times.
• Gulf Shores condos remain heavily oversupplied, though January did bring modest improvements in some mid-range price points.
• Orange Beach homes showed uneven results, with strong absorption in select ranges but growing inventory in higher price points.
• Orange Beach condos experienced a sharp increase in months of supply across nearly all brackets, particularly above $500,000, where inventory continues to accumulate faster than sales.

Coastal takeaway: Condos remain firmly buyer-favored, while homes are becoming more price-sensitive as inventory builds.

Overall Baldwin County Takeaway

Comparing December to January, Baldwin County is transitioning into a more deliberate market. Entry-level and well-priced mid-range homes continue to attract buyers, but rising inventory and slower winter absorption are giving buyers more negotiating power in many areas. Sellers who price strategically and prepare homes well are still finding success, while those chasing last year's market conditions are seeing longer days on market.

As we move further into the spring season, how inventory levels evolve over the next 60–90 days will be key in determining whether this pause turns into renewed momentum or continued balance. 

Mobile County Market Update: December 2025 vs January 2026

As Mobile County transitioned from December into January, the market followed a familiar winter rhythm. Buyer activity became more selective, inventory edged higher in several areas, and pricing strategy began to matter more than momentum. While some submarkets cooled noticeably, others showed surprising resilience to the seasonal slowdown.

Midtown Mobile

Midtown experienced one of the most visible shifts month over month.

• In December, several price ranges between $200,000–$399,999 were operating in relatively tight conditions.
• By January, months of supply increased sharply across nearly every segment, with homes under $300,000 and between $300,000–$399,999 moving firmly into buyer-favored territory.

While sales activity did tick up in January, new listings outpaced demand, resulting in longer market times. The Midtown market remains active, but sellers are no longer benefiting from urgency alone.

Springhill

Springhill showed a broad-based slowdown entering January.

• December's relatively balanced conditions gave way to rising months of supply across most price ranges.
• Homes between $200,000–$399,999, which had been a consistent sweet spot, saw supply nearly double in January.
• Upper price points above $500,000 also softened, indicating buyers are approaching premium listings with caution.

Springhill remains desirable, but January data confirms buyers are willing to wait for the right price and condition.

Theodore & Grand Bay

Theodore and Grand Bay stood out as one of the stronger performers in January.

• Homes between $200,000–$399,999 tightened further, with months of supply dropping into seller-leaning territory.
• Entry-level inventory under $200,000 increased, but demand in the mid-range helped offset slower movement at the bottom and top ends.

This area continues to attract buyers looking for space and value, even during slower seasonal months.

West Mobile

West Mobile remains the county's volume leader, though January revealed some cooling.

• Entry-level inventory under $200,000 continued to climb into buyer-favored territory.
• Homes between $200,000–$399,999 shifted from balanced conditions in December to more competitive inventory levels in January.
• Upper price ranges remained relatively stable, though absorption slowed slightly.

West Mobile is still moving product, but buyers are exercising patience and negotiation power.

Semmes

Semmes remained consistent month over month.

• Mid-range homes between $300,000–$399,999 stayed near balanced conditions.
• Inventory under $200,000 remained elevated, continuing a trend seen throughout much of the county.
• Limited activity above $400,000 created volatility in months of supply but did not signal a major shift.

Semmes continues to appeal to buyers seeking newer homes and larger lots, though price sensitivity is increasing.

Saraland

Saraland showed mixed signals entering January.

• Lower price ranges improved slightly, tightening compared to December.
• Mid-range homes around $300,000–$399,999 experienced limited sales, pushing months of supply higher.
• Inventory above $500,000 remains thin, but buyer activity is selective.

School demand continues to support Saraland, though January reflects a more measured pace.

Dauphin Island

Dauphin Island followed its typical seasonal pattern.

• Inventory remained elevated across most price points.
• January saw an increase in months of supply between $300,000–$399,999 as sales slowed.
• Higher-end homes continued to face longer market times, consistent with winter coastal trends.

Buyer interest remains, but urgency is limited until seasonal demand returns.

Overall Mobile County Takeaway

From December to January, Mobile County shifted into a more deliberate, buyer-aware market. While certain submarkets and price ranges remain competitive, rising inventory and seasonal hesitation are giving buyers increased leverage. Homes that are priced accurately and presented well are still selling, but those leaning on last quarter's conditions are experiencing longer days on market.

As we move toward spring, the next key signal will be whether buyer demand accelerates fast enough to absorb growing inventory, particularly in the $200,000–$400,000 range that drives much of the county's activity. 

Contact your Bellator agent today to strategize your next move to the Gulf Coast.