Lee County’s August 2026 Residential Report offers a timely look at how the local market is shifting across Lee County, Auburn and Opelika. More homes were listed than a year ago, while sales slowed overall, homes took longer to sell and average prices decreased. For buyers and sellers, those changes make local context especially important. Let’s look at the numbers and what they may mean for your next move.
Inventory increased across the board.
Across Lee County, total homes listed rose 30.8% year over year, from 629 in August 2025 to 823 in August 2026—an increase of 194 homes. Auburn saw listings rise 38.2%, from 306 to 423, up 117, while Opelika increased 20.5%, from 229 to 276, up 47.
The larger pool of listed homes gives buyers more opportunities to compare properties, while sellers may need sharper pricing and marketing to stand out.
New listings also increased in most areas.
New listings also increased across Lee County and Auburn, but not Opelika. Lee County recorded 267 new listings in August 2026 versus 233 in August 2025, a 14.6% increase, up 34. Those new listings made up 267 of 823 total 2026 listings, or about 32.4%.
In Auburn, new listings rose 19.3%, from 114 to 136, up 22, representing 136 of 423 total 2026 listings, or approximately 32.2%. Opelika, by contrast, moved in the opposite direction. New listings declined 6.7%, from 90 to 84. However, 84 of 276 total 2026 listings were new construction, or approximately 30.4%.
Based on those figures, roughly one-third of each area’s 2026 listed homes were new construction listings. For buyers, this mix helps clarify how much of the available inventory is newly added. At the same time, sellers can use the pace of new listings to gauge competition and plan their marketing strategy.
Properties sold reveal a mixed sales picture.
Lee County recorded 172 properties sold in August 2026, down 16.9% from 207 a year earlier, a decrease of 35. Auburn sales fell 27.2%, from 114 to 83, down 31. Opelika was the exception, with sales rising 14.5%, from 62 to 71, up 9.
The contrast suggests that local conditions vary by area, so buyers and sellers should look beyond countywide headlines when planning a move.
Homes took longer to sell.
Average days on market increased across all three areas. Lee County rose 27.8%, from 54 days in August 2025 to 69 days in August 2026, up 15 days. Auburn saw the largest increase, rising 54.7% from 53 to 82 days, up 29 days, while Opelika increased 20.9% from 43 to 52 days.
The longer timelines give buyers more time to evaluate options, while sellers should focus on strong presentation, realistic pricing and targeted marketing to keep a listing competitive.
The average sold prices shifted downward.
The average sold price in Lee County declined 4.2%, from $467,825 in August 2025 to $448,137 in August 2026, down $19,688. Auburn declined 4.3%, from $530,827 to $508,003, down $22,824, while Opelika declined 3.4%, from $398,929 to $385,295, down $13,634.
Auburn condos experienced more listings, but fewer sales.
Auburn condos showed a notable shift in August 2026. Total condos listed rose 102.6%, from 38 in August 2025 to 77 in August 2026, up 39. But new listings fell 50%, from four to two, while total condos sold declined 29.0%, from 31 to 22, down nine.
Average days on market increased 2.9%, from 35 to 36 days, and the average sold price declined 6.9%, from $361,010 to $336,193, down $24,817.
Summary
Lee County’s August 2026 Residential Report points to a market with more total inventory, fewer sales overall, longer market times and lower average sold prices. Lee County and Auburn saw sales slow, while Opelika increased, reinforcing the value of neighborhood-level insight.
Whether you’re considering buying, selling or simply tracking local conditions, the next step is to connect the numbers to your goals. Reach out to Ryan Roberts for personalized insight into Lee County, Auburn or Opelika and to discuss what these August trends may mean for you. Keep reading our blogs for more local real estate trends and community news.
