Manatee home sales up in September

The Manatee County housing market posted a solid increase in monthly home sales during September, according to preliminary existing single-family sales data released by the Manatee Association of REALTORS®.

There were 297 single-family homes sold this September, a 37% percent increase from the 213 homes sold the same time last year. On a month-to-month basis, single-family homes sales reflected a 6% increase with 276 reported homes sales in August.

The median sales price went up by 2.8% in September to $180,000 compared to $175,000 in August.

“Manatee County continues to maintain a strong home sales pace, helped in part by the $8,000 federal first-time homebuyer credit, as evidenced by the September total,” said Barry Grooms, board president. “We anticipate the market will remain active going into the winter.”

The condominium market experienced a significant increase in the numbers of units sold this September compared to the same time last year (from 42 units sold in 2008 to 89 units sold in 2009). On a month-to-month basis, condominium sales were up from 54 units sold this past August.

The inventory of single-family homes decreased 39.7% from September 2008 (5,827 listings in 2008 to 3,510 in 2009), which translates into 6.2 months of supply in September 2009. This was down from 22.6 months of supply last year.

Housing statistics are provided by the Manatee Association of REALTORS® and are based on data supplied by the Mid-Florida Regional Multiple Listing Service.