National Association of Realtors updates Multiple Listing Service rules

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) has announced that rule changes to Realtor-affiliated Multiple Listing Service (MLS) are to be implemented by August 17.  These rule changes are a part of a $418 million settlement, the final hearing of which is slated for November.  The NAR also updated its extensive FAQ page, in order to […]

Why is HSV the top spot for young people and families?

One of the key drivers to Huntsville’s recent success in being named the best city to live in the US has been attracting young people to relocate to Huntsville. Huntsville has historically made the list of best places to raise a family, but to continue to grow as a city, it had to find ways […]

How can Huntsville become an AI City?

“AI Talks” is a series from the Huntsville Business Journal on Artificial Intelligence and its applicability to the world of business. Each month, HBJ plans on bringing you interesting topics led by our contributing expert writer, Carl Holden. This has also introduced another “writer” to our journal: Artificial Intelligence itself. Using Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT), […]

A look into the conflicting reality of the U.S. gig platform economy

While gig work is certainly not new, the expansion of gig platforms, such as DoorDash and Uber, has been staggering in the past five years. It’s no longer just rideshares or food delivery, though, as gig work now also includes assembling furniture, pet sitting, helping with residential moving, grocery shopping, and so much more. In […]

Where are interest rates headed for the Rocket City?

With interest rates hitting a two-decade high, many consumers across the Huntsville area wonder where rates are headed for the rest of 2024 and into 2025. Higher interest rates, along with higher prices have affected housing affordability where the median household income can no longer afford the median priced home in the Tennessee Valley. In […]

Real Estate Update: Alabama housing market primed for Spring sales

The Alabama Association of Realtors (AAR) released its Economic and Real Estate Report for February of 2024.  Home sales across the state numbered 4,710 for the month of February. This not only marks a 0.5% increase from January, but it also bucks the historical trend of housing sales lagging in February. An increase in sales […]

UAH’s hosts talk for Women’s Equal Pay Day, discusses history and solutions

Women’s Equal Pay Day was observed on March 12, 2024. “This date symbolizes how far into the year women must work to earn what men earned in the previous year,” according to the National Committee on Pay Equity (NCPE).  Equal Pay Day was started by the NCPE in 1996 as a way to raise awareness […]

Real Estate Update: February statistics show increased sales

The Huntsville Area Association of Realtors (HAAR) has released its report for the month of February 2024.  The Huntsville/Madison County market saw 545 houses sold in February, which is up from 378 sold in January, and 452 sold in February of 2023.  There were 994 pending sales listed in February 2024, up from 919 in […]

National Association of Realtors responds to legal settlement

The way people buy and sell real estate in America has changed dramatically, as the National Association of Realtors (NAR), has reached a legal settlement that will, among other things, end the “even-split 6% commission model.” Additionally, the agreement would resolve claims against NAR, over one million NAR members, all state/territorial and local REALTOR® associations, […]

Will Huntsville real estate always be affordable?

Huntsville, AL has been a media favorite from US News and World Report, Southern Living, Money Magazine, and the Wall Street Journal. A common thread amongst these reports has been the uncanny affordability of homes within our city.  A few years ago, you could purchase a nice starter home in one of the area’s best […]