County home sales on the rise

The number of sales of homes and condos last month in Sarasota County was nearly 20% higher than those in August 2008.

The Sarasota Association of Realtors reported 498 property sales last month, compared to 415 sales the previous year.

In addition, the inventory of for-sale properties is shrinking. There were 3,949 single-family homes and 2,343 condos for sale at the end of August. At the end of August 2008, there were 6,461 homes and 2,407 condos for sale.