Central Ohio home sales jumped 6.6 percent in September from their year-ago level and set a record for the month, according to the Columbus Board of Realtors Multiple Listing Service.
Realtors reported 2,264 homes sold last month, compared to 2,124 sold in September 2003. Year-to-date home sales are now 9.9 percent of the same period last year, the association reported.
“To experience a 6 percent surge in sales after so many doom-and-gloom housing forecasts suggests buyers aren’t listening to these reports,” said Skip Weiler, president of the Columbus Board of Realtors.
The average sale price last month crept up to $171,537, which is 2.6 percent higher than the year-ago price of $167,148. The sales prices along with number of home sales puts the total dollar volume of homes sold this year at just over $3.5 billion – a 10.8 percent increase over last year.
“Traditionally, we expect to see home sales slowing down this time of year,” Weiler said. “However, as interest rates continue to remain low and many affordable homes are listed on the market, home buyers have an excellent opportunity to gain home ownership right now.”
The Columbus Board of Realtors Multiple Listing Service serves all of Franklin, Delaware, Union, Madison and Morrow counties, and some of Licking, Fairfield, Knox, Logan, Marion and Pickaway counties.
***
What’s your opinion? Send your Letter to the Editor to opinion@inman.com.
