As of September 2025, the housing market in the United States is undergoing notable changes, with shifts in both national and local trends. The median price for a single-family home nationwide rose by approximately 2% year-over-year, reaching about $385,000. While this increase reflects a general uplift, it also conceals a more complex landscape: new listings have surged, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, which is leading to an uptick in inventory and a potential shift towards a more balanced market.
According to a report by Homes.com, the number of new listings in September increased by 8.1% compared to the previous year. This marks the highest volume of new listings for that month since 2021. Economists interpret this trend as an early indicator that buyer demand is beginning to align with supply, a significant development in a market that has favored sellers for an extended period.
Despite the national trends, significant geographic variations exist. In the Sun Belt region, particularly in rapidly growing metropolitan areas, a surge in new construction has led to oversupply concerns. For instance, cities like Atlanta have started to experience flat or even declining prices in certain segments of the market.
Turning to the local context, Valdosta and Lowndes County mirror some of these broader dynamics, albeit with unique characteristics. As reported by Realtor.com, the median listing price in Lowndes County was approximately $295,000 in September 2025, reflecting a 3.6% increase year-over-year. The median sold price in the county stood at around $265,000, indicating that while prices are rising, they are doing so at a moderate pace.
In mid-2025, data from Rocket revealed that the median sold price in Lowndes County was $256,689, a rise of 5.2% over the prior year. Meanwhile, Zillow reported an average home value of about $220,469, a modest gain of 1.8% year-over-year. The discrepancies among these figures suggest a nuanced market, where specific property types and neighborhoods are experiencing varied growth rates.
Focusing on Valdosta, Realtor.com provided a median listing price of $258,800 as of August 2025, translating to a per-square-foot listing rate of $146. The median sold price in Valdosta was slightly lower, just under $230,000, with homes typically selling in approximately 46 days. This timeframe indicates that buyers are taking longer to make decisions, while sellers may need to adjust their expectations.
Conversely, Redfin reported a different perspective for September 2025, noting that the median sale price in Valdosta was about $205,000, down 4.9% from the previous year, with homes selling in an average of 35 days. Although this figure contrasts with the more optimistic data from Realtor.com, it underscores the inherent variability within the local market.
The latest figures from Rocket indicate that Valdosta’s median sold price was $240,000 as of June 2025, reflecting a 6.7% increase from the previous year, with about 70 active listings available. This suggests a market that, while showing signs of cooling, still leans toward favoring sellers.
The diversity in data highlights the hyperlocal nature of real estate, where various factors such as new construction, property condition, and proximity to amenities greatly influence market dynamics. One important metric to consider is the number of new listings; according to the Federal Reserve Economic Data, Lowndes County saw 154 new listings in September 2025, aligning with the national trend of increasing inventory.
Looking ahead, the national housing market appears to be moving towards rebalancing. If inventory continues to rise and mortgage rates remain stable or decrease slightly, sellers may need to adjust their pricing strategies. Locally, if builders respond to demand by increasing the number of homes available, similar pressures may emerge in Valdosta and Lowndes County.
As always, properties that are newly built and move-in ready in desirable neighborhoods are expected to perform better than older or distressed homes. In Valdosta, homes that have undergone renovations and feature updated finishes are likely to command higher prices, even in a cooling market. With rising inventory levels, there may be opportunities for buyers willing to negotiate, while sellers should be cautious in their pricing to avoid extended time on the market.
In conclusion, the national data reflects a housing market in transition, moving away from rapid growth towards a more stable equilibrium. Locally, Valdosta and Lowndes County have demonstrated resilience, with modest price gains and competitive conditions. For prospective buyers, this may present a valuable opportunity, while sellers may need to prepare for a more discerning marketplace.
Gary Wisenbaker is a REALTOR© with Century 21 Realty Advisors in Valdosta, Georgia. He can be reached at (912) 713-2553.
