Rome Housing Market: Prices, Inventory, Days on Market

Are prices in Rome really moving, or is it just the headlines? If you are thinking about buying or selling in Floyd County, three numbers tell the clearest story: median price, active inventory, and days on market. Understanding how these metrics work lets you time your move, set expectations, and negotiate with confidence. This guide breaks each one down in plain English, then shows you how to apply them to Rome’s smaller, neighborhood-driven market. Let’s dive in.

Median price in plain English

The median sale price is the middle price among closed home sales in a given period. Half sold for more, half sold for less. Because it ignores extremes, it is a steadier gauge than the average.

How to use it:

• Track month-over-month and year-over-year trends to see direction.
• Compare submarkets, such as city of Rome versus unincorporated Floyd County, to spot differences.

What to watch in Rome:

• Composition effects can skew the median. If more higher-end homes close in a month, the median may rise even if most homes did not appreciate.
• Always note the sample size. In smaller areas or specific neighborhoods, wait for at least 10 to 20 closed sales before drawing conclusions.

Inventory and months of supply

Active inventory is the number of homes listed for sale at a snapshot in time. Months of supply, also called months of inventory, shows how long it would take to sell the current inventory at the recent sales pace.

Simple formula:

• Months of supply = Active listings divided by average monthly closed sales.

Decision guide:

• Less than 3 months suggests a seller’s market.
• Between 3 and 6 months suggests a balanced market.
• More than 6 months suggests a buyer’s market.

Rome specifics:

• Because Rome’s sales counts are smaller than large metros, months of supply can swing quickly. Use 3-month or 12-month averages for stability and show the number of closed sales alongside the ratio.
• Be consistent about what you include. If you compare months of supply over time, keep the same filters for property type and area boundaries.

Days on market and pricing power

Days on market, or DOM, measures time from when a listing goes live on the MLS to when it goes under contract. Short DOM signals strong demand, while longer DOM points to slower movement.

Quick benchmarks:

• Less than 30 days is fast.
• Between 30 and 60 days is moderate.
• More than 60 days is slow.

Pair DOM with the list-to-sale price ratio to gauge negotiation power. Calculate list-to-sale ratio as sale price divided by original list price, then multiply by 100. Numbers at or above 100 percent often reflect multiple offers or bidding up. Rising DOM with a falling list-to-sale ratio usually means buyers have more room to negotiate.

Rome market context: what to watch

Price level context: Rome has historically been more affordable than larger Georgia metros and the national median. Within the county, you will see meaningful variation by neighborhood and property type. Historic downtown and river-adjacent homes or newer subdivisions in parts of North Rome often achieve higher prices per square foot than many older areas in East or South Rome.

Seasonality: Like most U.S. markets, Rome tends to see more new listings and closings in spring and early summer, with slower activity in winter. Compare the same month year-over-year or use seasonally smoothed series when possible.

Supply drivers: New construction and infill can add inventory and shift price mix toward newer, higher-priced homes. Investor purchases and rental conversions can reduce the number of entry-level listings. In smaller markets, some deals happen off-MLS or for-sale-by-owner, which means public data may undercount activity.

Mortgage rates: The rate run-up in 2022 and 2023 reduced buying power across the country and generally lengthened DOM. Shifts in rates continue to influence urgency and price acceptance locally, so interpret DOM and inventory alongside the prevailing rate environment.

How to pull reliable Rome numbers

If you want the latest local readout, use authoritative sources and document your method. Here is a simple approach:

• Define the area. Decide whether you mean the city of Rome, unincorporated Floyd County, or both combined.
• Select property types. For an apples-to-apples look, focus on residential categories you care about, such as single-family homes.
• Get the data. Georgia MLS is the primary source for listings, median price, DOM, and inventory. Local REALTOR association snapshots and consumer research portals provide helpful trend series for Rome and Floyd County.
• Compute key metrics. Use closed date, not list date, for median prices and DOM. For months of supply, divide active listings by the 12-month average of monthly closed sales to smooth volatility.
• Show your filters. Always publish your source, the time period, the property filters, the geographic boundary, and the sample size.

Simple visuals to track at a glance

• Line chart: Median sale price over time. Add a 12-month moving average to smooth seasonality and label the number of sales.
• Combo chart: Active inventory as bars with monthly closed sales as a line. This shows supply and demand together.
• MOS gauge or line: Display months of supply with shaded bands at under 3, 3 to 6, and over 6 months so it is easy to read market balance.
• Scatter plot: Price per square foot versus DOM for the past 12 months. A trendline can reveal whether higher-priced homes take longer to sell.
• Neighborhood table: Median price, median DOM, months of supply, year-over-year change, and sample size for Downtown Rome, North Rome, East Rome, South Rome, Cave Spring, and surrounding areas. Add a small-sample caution where needed.

What this means for sellers

When months of supply is low and DOM is short, you can expect faster sales and stronger offers. Price strategically and bring a clean, market-ready home to drive maximum interest. If months of supply rises and DOM stretches, plan for longer marketing time and more negotiation on price or concessions.

In Rome, neighborhood differences matter. A renovated downtown cottage and a larger home outside city limits can move at very different speeds. A local, data-backed pricing strategy and strong presentation make the difference. The Calvert Group’s concierge approach includes staging guidance, professional photography, 3D tours, and targeted exposure that align with Ansley Real Estate and Christie’s International Real Estate channels.

What this means for buyers

In a tight, low-DOM environment, be ready to act on well-priced homes. Get pre-approval in hand, decide on contingencies upfront, and consider escalation strategies if the data supports competition. When DOM is longer and months of supply is high, buyers typically gain leverage. You can ask for inspection credits, closing cost concessions, or flexible timelines.

Match your financing plan to market conditions. When mortgage rates move, buying power and urgency shift, so lock timing and potential buydown options matter.

Timing and closing expectations

In the Rome area, a typical contract-to-close timeline for a conventional loan is about 30 to 45 days. With appraisal or underwriting delays, you may see 45 to 60 days. Sellers should set expectations using current DOM in their submarket. Buyers should build in reasonable due diligence and appraisal timelines based on local practice and seasonal demand.

Method notes and transparency

When you publish or share market stats, include these details so your audience can trust the numbers:

• Data source and date, such as Georgia MLS with a month-end timestamp.
• Geographic boundary, such as city limits versus countywide.
• Property types included and any exclusions, such as mobile homes or land.
• Sample size for each metric, especially for neighborhood breakouts.
• Smoothing choice, like a 3-month or 12-month rolling average, to reduce noise.

Ready to talk strategy?

Whether you are pricing a listing or preparing to make an offer, the right read on price, inventory, and DOM can save you time and money. If you want a local, data-driven plan paired with premium presentation, reach out to Jacob Calvert. Start with a free home valuation.

FAQs

Is Rome, GA currently a buyer’s or seller’s market?

• Compute months of supply and compare it to thresholds: under 3 months leans seller, 3 to 6 is balanced, over 6 leans buyer, then confirm with recent DOM and sample size trends.

How long does it take to sell a home in Rome?

• Use the median DOM for your specific submarket and property type, then set expectations around that median with condition, pricing, and marketing quality in mind.

How should I price my home right now?

• Check the list-to-sale price ratio and DOM; if homes are selling at or above 100 percent with short DOM, pricing at or slightly below market can spark multiple offers, otherwise price competitively at market.

Where can I find trustworthy Rome market data?

• Start with Georgia MLS for primary statistics, then review local REALTOR association snapshots and established research portals that publish city and county trend series.

Do mortgage rates affect Rome’s days on market?

• Yes, higher rates reduce buying power and often lengthen DOM; refer to national rate trends and compare them with local DOM and inventory to understand timing and urgency.