Hold Period — Cities of Alabama

Cities of Alabama ranked by average flip hold-period.

Public Record

Currently viewing: Alabama · View nationwide

National avg hold

0.91 yr

Fastest-flip state

—

Longest-hold state

—

Flip pairs analyzed

12,892

Fastest-flip states (shortest avg hold)

Longest-hold states

City ranking — Alabama (avg hold period)

Cities in Alabama (sample ≥ 20 flips)

Sorted shortest to longest

#	City	Avg hold (yrs)	Avg hold (mo)	Avg gain %	Sample
1	Graysville	0.42	5.1	+156.2%	24
2	Adamsville	0.51	6.2	+116.1%	89
3	Opelika	0.56	6.8	+442.2%	60
4	Weaver	0.61	7.4	+204.2%	26
5	Pleasant Grove	0.67	8.1	+133.1%	59
6	Coker	0.69	8.4	+126.5%	21
7	New Market	0.70	8.6	+199.4%	52
8	Hazel Green	0.71	8.6	+199.3%	58
9	Hueytown	0.72	8.7	+115.5%	97
10	Lincoln	0.72	8.8	+135.5%	57
11	Meridianville	0.73	8.8	+314.5%	58
12	Auburn	0.74	9.0	+389.6%	52
13	Bessemer	0.74	9.0	+148.8%	187
14	Pinson	0.74	9.0	+117.8%	111
15	Dora	0.74	9.0	+170.6%	23
16	Irondale	0.75	9.1	+118.2%	107
17	Center Point	0.76	9.3	+106.0%	159
18	Prattville	0.77	9.3	+207.9%	124
19	Saraland	0.78	9.5	+101.7%	44
20	Silverhill	0.78	9.5	+198.2%	27
21	Springville	0.78	9.6	+162.3%	77
22	Grand Bay	0.79	9.6	+133.4%	56
23	Fultondale	0.79	9.6	+91.5%	46
24	Robertsdale	0.79	9.6	+147.8%	41
25	Leesburg	0.79	9.6	+122.8%	20
26	Toney	0.80	9.7	+185.1%	65
27	Albertville	0.80	9.8	+108.7%	106
28	Ardmore	0.81	9.8	+152.3%	27
29	Cottondale	0.81	9.9	+121.5%	32
30	Athens	0.82	10.0	+187.1%	233
31	Decatur	0.82	10.0	+101.3%	183
32	Odenville	0.83	10.0	+165.2%	88
33	Montgomery	0.83	10.1	+117.1%	294
34	Oneonta	0.84	10.2	+91.9%	38
35	Mount Olive	0.84	10.3	+104.0%	31
36	Elkmont	0.85	10.3	+183.0%	35
37	Huntsville	0.85	10.3	+133.0%	394
38	Warrior	0.85	10.3	+98.1%	61
39	Fairfield	0.85	10.3	+171.5%	35
40	Millbrook	0.85	10.4	+133.3%	36
41	Valley	0.86	10.5	+125.4%	37
42	Arab	0.86	10.5	+120.8%	102
43	Irvington	0.86	10.5	+169.6%	26
44	Wetumpka	0.86	10.5	+174.1%	115
45	Anniston	0.87	10.5	+145.6%	236
46	Boaz	0.87	10.6	+132.5%	38
47	Vestavia Hills	0.87	10.6	+83.5%	125
48	Florence	0.88	10.7	+149.1%	190
49	Phenix City	0.88	10.7	+175.3%	71
50	Birmingham	0.88	10.7	+120.1%	984

What hold period tells investors

Liquidity signal

Short average holds (under 2 years) indicate a liquid market — properties trade often, exit timing is flexible, and capital recycles quickly. Long holds (5+ years) suggest fewer buyers, slower exits, and higher carry-cost risk.

Flipper vs. landlord markets

Markets where typical investors hold 3–9 months are dominated by fix-and-flip operators. Markets averaging 5–10 years are dominated by buy-and-hold landlords. Choose the strategy that matches the market — don't fight it.

Caveats

This metric reflects only properties that resold. True buy-and-hold landlords who never sold during the data window are invisible here. Treat the numbers as a relative ranking across states, not an absolute hold-period truth. Source: public record.