Home sales fall 18% in July

The Sarasota Association of Realtors reported a sharp decline in the number of property sales last month.

There were 599 home and condo sales in July, which is down from 728 in June.

However, the 599 sales were 14% higher than July 2010.

In a sign the local real-estate market is improving, the total inventory of available properties fell to its lowest level in more than a decade.

Nearly 4,500 available homes and condos are currently on the market.

Contact Robin Roy at [email protected].