Living at Lake Martin
Lake Martin formed when Alabama Power completed Martin Dam on the Tallapoosa River in 1926. The dam was first called Cherokee Bluffs and was renamed in 1936 for Thomas Martin, then president of Alabama Power. The lake runs about 31 miles, averages 41 feet deep and reaches about 155 feet near the old river gorge.
Life here is on the water: boating, fishing and swimming in the coves. Chimney Rock is a favorite gathering spot for boaters, and Wind Creek State Park near Alexander City has 586 campsites, a 210-foot fishing pier and miles of trails.
Homes at Lake Martin
The lake touches Tallapoosa, Elmore and Coosa counties, with Alexander City, Dadeville, Jackson's Gap and Eclectic nearby. Homes range from lake cottages to large waterfront homes with docks and boathouses, many tucked into deep, wooded coves. Alabama Power and Russell Lands own some of the shoreline.
Shannon at Lake Martin
At Lake Martin, Shannon is with LAH Sotheby's International Realty, whose office is at 7674 Highway 49 South in Dadeville. She has a home on the lake, as well as one in Santa Rosa Beach, and helps buyers and sellers at the lake and in nearby Montgomery, Pike Road, Prattville, Auburn and Opelika. She is licensed in Alabama and Florida, and on the coast she is a Broker Associate with The Agency | NW Florida Beaches, working from Destin to St. George Island, including 30A and Freeport.
Before you buy on the water, read her guide to Lake Martin water levels and dock permits, her answers to 20 Lake Martin buyer and seller questions, and Lake Martin or 30A?
The Lake Martin market
Lake Martin sits close to a balanced market. The Alabama Center for Real Estate puts the balance point at about six months of supply, where buyers and sellers have roughly equal bargaining power; the lake as a whole was at 6.9 months in July and waterfront homes at 6.2. Sales are up from last summer and homes are selling a little faster, while more listings give buyers room to compare coves, docks and water depth. Through July, 175 waterfront homes had sold this year, up 6.1%.
Only a few dozen waterfront homes close in a month, and ACRE cautions that small samples make monthly prices volatile. July's 36.4% drop in the waterfront median reflects which homes closed that month more than a trend in values.
Lake Martin area, July 2026
Waterfront and off-water homes, Lake Martin Area Association of Realtors
- Median sale price
- $549,900Down 2.5% from July 2025
- Homes sold
- 73Up 17.7% from July 2025
- Average days on market
- 1185 days faster than July 2025
- Active listings
- 502Up 6.6% from July 2025
- Months of supply
- 6.97.6 in July 2025
Lake Martin waterfront, July 2026
Waterfront homes only
- Median sale price
- $799,500Down 36.4% from July 2025
- Homes sold
- 36Up 24.1% from July 2025
- Average days on market
- 12015 days faster than July 2025
- Active listings
- 222Up 16.2% from July 2025
- Months of supply
- 6.26.6 in July 2025
With supply near six months, there is time to see a home in winter-pool conditions, check the dock permit and negotiate on price and repairs.
When buyers have choices, pricing to recent sales nearby and showing water depth, the dock and its permit up front help a listing stand out.
Sources: ACRE, Lake Martin area report for July 2026 · ACRE, Lake Martin waterfront report for July 2026. Figures are for the month shown and change monthly; ask Shannon for the latest numbers on a specific neighborhood or home.
Questions about Lake Martin
How big is Lake Martin?
Lake Martin covers about 44,000 acres, with more than 700 miles of shoreline. It runs about 31 miles and is about 155 feet deep at its deepest.
When was Lake Martin built?
Alabama Power completed Martin Dam on the Tallapoosa River in 1926, creating the lake.
What towns are near Lake Martin?
Alexander City, Dadeville, Jackson's Gap and Eclectic. The lake touches Tallapoosa, Elmore and Coosa counties.
Is there a real estate agent with a home on Lake Martin?
Shannon Baker, with LAH Sotheby's International Realty, has a home at Lake Martin and is licensed in Alabama and Florida.
Who can help me buy or sell a home in Lake Martin?
Shannon Baker, with LAH Sotheby's International Realty, works with buyers and sellers at Lake Martin. She is licensed in Florida and Alabama and has more than $100 million in sales volume over the past five years. Call or text her at (850) 420-8678 or email shannon@lahsothebysrealty.com.