If you’ve been watching the Baldwin County housing market like it’s the Weather Channel during hurricane season… I get it.
I’m Judd Gillespie, and I work with buyers and sellers all over the Eastern Shore—Fairhope, Daphne, Spanish Fort, and across Baldwin County. The #1 question I’m getting right now is some version of:
“Is 2026 finally the year to buy… or should I wait?”
Let’s break it down in plain English—interest rates, year-over-year pricing, days on market (how fast homes are moving), and the best seasons to buy if you want the most leverage.
Why Families are Choosing the Eastern Shore
The big picture: Baldwin County is still growing (and that matters)
One reason our market behaves differently than a lot of the country is simple: people keep moving here. And not in a slow trickle.
The U.S. Census Bureau shows Baldwin County growing from the 2020 base to an estimated 261,608 by July 1, 2025—a 12.9% increase in that window.
More people moving in means:
- steady demand for homes (especially in Fairhope, Daphne, Spanish Fort)
- strong competition for “the good ones”
- and a market that doesn’t usually fall apart just because the headlines get dramatic
Interest rates in 2026: not “cheap,” but more normal
Rates are the cost of borrowing money—so they affect your monthly payment way more than most folks expect.
Right now, we’re seeing 30-year fixed mortgage rates around ~6%. Freddie Mac’s weekly survey had the 30-year at 6.01% as of Feb 19, 2026 (down from 6.85% a year earlier).
What that means in real life:
- Payments are still higher than the “2021 unicorn years,” but buyers are adjusting.
- When rates stabilized and dipped, we started seeing more serious shoppers re-enter.
- If rates drop later, you can potentially refinance—but you can’t “refinance” a price you overpay.
My advice? Make the decision based on your timeline and payment comfort, not a perfect rate that may never come back.
Year-over-year pricing: it depends where you’re shopping (and what you’re buying)
Here’s the truth: Baldwin County isn’t one market. It’s a bunch of micro-markets.
County-wide snapshot
- Baldwin County MLS reporting shows an average sales price of $422,260 in January 2026, up from $417,109 in January 2025.
- Zillow shows a median sale price around $383,833 (Dec 2025) for Baldwin County.
- Redfin reports a median sale price of $385K in January 2026 (their number was down year-over-year).
So yes—different sources can show different “price direction” because they measure differently (median vs average, what types of homes they include, timing of closings, etc.). What I’m watching most closely is trend + inventory + negotiation power in each town and price range.
Fairhope vs Daphne (examples)
- Zillow pegs Fairhope’s average home value around $450,111 (+0.7% YoY) and homes go pending in about 62 days.
- Zillow pegs Daphne’s average home value around $321,160 (+0.1% YoY) and pending around 64 days.
- Redfin shows Fairhope’s median sale price around $643K (+10.8% YoY) in January 2026.
- Redfin shows Daphne’s median sale price around $366K (+4.6% YoY).
Takeaway: Fairhope and parts of the Eastern Shore can still push prices up faster—especially for well-kept homes in strong locations. Daphne tends to be more price-flexible depending on neighborhood and condition.
Days on market (DOM): homes are taking a little longer—good news for buyers
DOM matters because it hints at negotiating power. When DOM is super low, buyers feel like they’re in a game show: “You have 30 seconds to decide!”
In Baldwin County’s traditional residential market, average DOM was reported at 79 days in January 2026, up from 74 days the year before.
Redfin’s county-wide view shows homes selling after about 104 days on average in January 2026.
And Zillow shows 84 median days to pending (January 2026).
Translation: We’re not in the “blink and it’s gone” market across the board anymore. Buyers are getting:
- more time to think
- more inspections and repair requests
- more chances to negotiate closing costs or price
Seasonal trends: when is the best time to buy in Baldwin County?
This is where strategy matters.
If you want the most options (but more competition)
Spring (March–May)
- more listings hit the market
- relocators are shopping hard
- homes show well (yards, light, curb appeal)
If you want the best negotiating leverage
Late summer into early fall (August–October)
- some buyers drop out after school starts
- motivated sellers become clearer
- you can sometimes get better terms
If you want fewer bidding wars (but fewer choices)
Winter (November–February)
- fewer listings, yes
- but sellers who list then often need to move
- and you avoid some of the spring crowd
My simple rule:
If you’re picky about location and want the best selection, shop in spring.
If you’re picky about price and terms, shop late summer/fall or winter.
So… is now a good time to buy on the Gulf Coast?
For a lot of people: yes—if the payment works and your timeline is real.
Here’s why 2026 is feeling more “balanced”:
- Rates are hovering near ~6%, not 7–8% chaos.
- Homes are taking longer to sell (more breathing room).
- Price growth is more location-dependent than “everything goes up no matter what.”
- Baldwin County growth keeps demand steady over time.
Quick guidance by buyer type
First-time buyers:
- Focus on payment + stability, not timing the “perfect” rate
- Ask for closing cost help when DOM is higher
Downsizers:
- Don’t just look at price—look at insurance, upkeep, and layout
- Single-level living in Fairhope/Daphne moves fast when it’s updated and easy
Relocators:
- Learn the micro-markets (neighborhood feel matters as much as the stats)
- Be ready to move quickly when the right one hits—especially on the Eastern Shore
Bottom line (and my friendly nudge)
If you’re waiting for a giant sign from the sky that says “NOW IS THE TIME”… Baldwin County usually doesn’t hand those out. What it does give us is steady growth, strong lifestyle demand, and a market where the best strategy changes by town, neighborhood, and season.
If you tell me where you want to be (Fairhope? Daphne? Spanish Fort?) and what matters most (price, commute, schools, water access, low maintenance), I can give you a simple game plan—no pressure, no smoke, no “salesy” nonsense.
Shoot me a message and I’ll help you figure out your smartest next step.
Got questions? #AskJudd
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