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shland is defying national and countywide trends by showing signs of a winter home-buying surge. The city has seen a 36.6% increase in homes for sale this year compared to last, bucking the traditional winter slowdown. Typically, homeowners wait until spring to list their properties, but this year may be different.

    National real estate professionals claim that September 29 to October 5 is the best time to buy a home in 2024, with lower competition and favorable conditions. While this isn't always the case in smaller local markets, Ashland follows some of these trends. With more homes on the market, buyers have more options, and the lowest interest rates in two years make it an appealing time to shop.

    Buyer activity in Ashland is also trending upward, with a 12.4% increase in homes going under contract from last year. This suggests that more buyers are actively making offers and committing to purchasing homes, signaling a more robust winter season for home sales in the area. However, this increase also means more competition, which can lead to higher home prices.

    Ashland is diverging from county and national trends regarding home prices, with an average price per square foot rising by 15.2% over the last year. This is in contrast to Jackson County's slight decline in price per square foot, aligning more closely with national market trends. The increased price per square foot reflects continued demand for homes in the area.

    With increased inventory, higher buyer activity, and rising home prices, Ashland is experiencing a more dynamic real estate market heading into winter than expected. While buyers have been waiting for favorable interest rates and increased inventory, it remains to be seen if this trend of increased winter home buying will continue. For buyers considering purchasing a home in Ashland, now may be the perfect time to move, with more homes to choose from and a steady stream of buyers putting homes into contract.