Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Realtors See Rise In Hillsborough County

Home sales were up in March across Hillsborough County as some real estate practitioners hope the housing slump is in the past.

Some 1,400 homes were sold last month in Hillsborough, according to the Greater Tampa Association of Realtors, the best figures since June 2007. The sales were up 25 percent over February and 20 percent from the year before.

The average sales price also is up from $160,145 in February to $168,071 in March, creating sales in Hillsborough of $235.3 million, compared to $179.4 million the month before.

“Our members have been saying they are seeing positive movement in the housing market. These latest statistics prove that they are indeed experiencing a more positive market,” said Carol Austin, GTAR chief executive officer, in a release.

Nearly 17,000 homes still remain for sale, representing an inventory of just under a year. However, that’s the lowest inventory Hillsborough has seen since October 2006, and inventory was more than 17 months just a year ago.

“These statistics are extremely positive,” said Jack Rodriguez, GTAR president, in a release. “Hopefully it signals a trend to better things ahead, both for real estate and the economy in general.”

The Florida Association of Realtors is scheduled to release its March statewide existing home and existing condominium sales numbers on April 23.