Courtesy of Georgia MLS.

The pace of home sales in the Atlanta area rose month over month in February after a big drop in January, but year over year, they were down, reflecting a longer-term slowdown, Georgia MLS (GAMLS) said, citing its 12-county Housing Market Snapshot.   

By units, sales were up 16% month over month but down 8.3% year over year, at 3,702. By dollar amount, sales were up 18.4% month over month and down 5.9% year over year, at $1.79 billion.  

The median-sales price ticked up 2.1% month over month but slid 1.9% year over year to $391,075.  

New listings rose just 0.2% month over month to 7,980, which represents an 8% annual gain. Active listings, meanwhile, were up 4.7% on a monthly basis and 47.1% on a yearly one, at 17,614 properties.  

Home sales have been trending downward, and the slowdown is expected to continue, although spring break and the summer could bring an uptick in market activity, GAMLS said. 

“Uncertainty around interest rates persists, though they’ve dipped slightly to 6.6% – 6.7%,” GAMLS added. “Unemployment has ticked up, while job growth remains modest — adding to broader economic uncertainty. 

“Tariffs raise concerns, as we potentially enter a possible prolonged trade war. Tariffs on building materials present another challenge — builders won’t absorb these costs; they will be passed on to buyers.” 

Georgia MLS’ 12-county report includes Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Dekalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding and Rockdale counties.