The Atlanta 12 County Core residential market continued to cool in October, with closed sales, pending transactions and new listings all declining from a year ago. Despite the slowdown in activity, home prices remained relatively stable, with the median sales price increasing 1.3% year over year to $395,000, according to data from Georgia MLS.
Sales volume totaled $1.895 billion in October, down 18.1% from October 2025 and 9.2% from September. The number of homes sold fell 19.8% year over year to 3,719, marking a sharper annual decline than September’s 15.2%. Pending sales, an indicator of future closings, dropped 26.8% from a year ago to 3,332, representing the 10th consecutive month of year-over-year declines.
“October’s housing data tells us that buyers haven’t necessarily left the market; they’re simply taking longer to make a decision,” said John Ryan, Chief Marketing Officer for Georgia MLS. “We are seeing buyer caution translate into fewer closed transactions, all while home prices remain relatively stable. This is a market where value has replaced urgency, and consumer confidence will play an increasingly important role in determining when buyers are ready to move forward.”
Active listings reached 21,919, up 1.4% compared with October 2025 and 1.2% from September. Meanwhile, new listings declined 8.8% year over year to 7,788, suggesting that the gradual increase in available inventory is largely attributable to homes taking longer to sell rather than a significant influx of new properties entering the market.
The median sales price was $395,000, up from $390,000 in October 2025, although down 1.2% from September’s $399,900. The modest annual price increase indicates that values have remained resilient even as transaction activity has slowed.
For buyers, the growing number of active listings provides more opportunities to compare properties and negotiate. For sellers, however, the more competitive environment makes pricing and presentation increasingly important. With nearly 22,000 active listings and close to six months of supply, sellers must position their properties carefully to attract a more selective pool of buyers.
“Buyers have more choices and are taking the time to evaluate their options, which means sellers cannot rely on the urgency we saw in more competitive markets,” Ryan added. “Pricing a home appropriately from the outset, demonstrating its value and making sure it stands out are critical. Properties that are positioned realistically for current market conditions will be better positioned to attract buyer interest.”
Pending sales declined 6.4% from September, extending a trend of weakening contract activity. As the market moves toward the end of the year, this continued decline could signal a slower pace of closings in the months ahead.
About Georgia MLS
Georgia MLS is one of the largest multiple listing services in the Southeast, providing real estate professionals with the technology, data and resources they need to serve their clients and navigate the housing market.
