Articles

Sweet Home Growth: HOAs and Housing Trends in Alabama 2025

By Aimee, Winegar, CMCA, AMS, LSM, PCAM

The tide is rolling in Alabama in 2025. From 2024 to 2025, Alabama has been ranked as the 7th most popular state for domestic migration within the United States, adding 26,000 residents in 2024, or 0.5% of its population (source: US Census Bureau). This is down slightly from the nearly 0.6% growth Alabama experienced in 2023, but still higher than 43 other states (source: Reventure). In 2025, it appears that analysts and developers are anticipating significant additional growth, particularly in the usual Huntsville/Montgomery/Mobile areas, but also in smaller towns and cities, as well.

The Alabama Association of Realtors has reported that Alabama’s new home building permits increased 10% between 2023 and 2024, and as of April, 2025, almost 1500 building permits for new single-family homes had been issued in the state since the start of the year, with almost all of them under construction already. This is a decrease from 2024, but remains an indicator of Alabama’s ongoing attractiveness for new residents. The Alabama Association of Realtors notes that construction and sales have been affected by national economic uncertainty, relatively high interest rates, and concerns about purchase costs. Nevertheless, the Alabama market appears to be stronger than many other states.

Per real estate professional Amy Brown, growth is spreading beyond the bigger Alabama cities because of Alabama’s beautiful landscapes and southern Alabama’s proximity to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches along the gulf coast.

What does all this have to do with professionals in the community association management industry? Brown reports, “As far as I can see, most new developments all have HOAs. Builders and homeowners seem to appreciate HOAs.”

As new construction proceeds to meet the needs and goals of Alabama’s residents, Brown says, “more neighborhoods are including pools and playgrounds in their HOAs. I do think people really gravitate towards neighborhood with pools.” She believes that in Alabama, “attitudes towards HOAs are definitely getting better. I think people realize that the HOA is what keeps these neighborhoods looking great year after year.”  Developers/builders are recognizing that HOAs can provide significant benefits to homebuyers – even those who swear that they will never live in an HOA.

For those of us who work in the HOA management industry, it is important to focus on the benefits that community associations bring to their residents. Consistent (but not dictatorial or unreasonable) standards enforcement, financial stability, and high quality maintenance for landscaping and community assets are the traits of a strong, desirable community. As professionals, our goal should always be to help residents – new or old, native Alabaman or fresh out of a northern state – feel welcome and happy to be a resident of a community association.

Aimee Winegar has worked in the community management industry for almost 40 years, and is now serving as the President of the Midwest Division of HOALiving (hoaliving.com).