Area home sales continue downward trend

by The City Wire staff ([email protected]) 44 views 

Crawford and Sebastian county homes sales continued to decline and home inventory continued to grow, according to the January Weichert Realtors-King Realty Group Real Estate Report.

Figures from the report prepared by Realtor Ernie Schimmelman, show Crawford County with 24 homes sales in December, down from 33 homes sold in January 2010. January sales in Sebastian County totaled 63, down from 64 in January 2010.

The January report reflects a 30% drop in home sales compared to December 2010 and, unfortunately, is part of a trend that saw 2010 mark the fourth consecutive year of home sales decline in the two counties.

For the year, Schimmelman’s research shows total new and existing Crawford County homes sold in 2010 at 485, down 15.6% compared to the 575 homes sold in 2009. In Sebastian County, there were 1,148 homes sold in 2010, down 10.38% compared to 2009.

According to the Arkansas Realtors Association, the number of new and existing homes sold during 2010 in Crawford, Franklin and Sebastian counties totaled 1,866, down 6.4% compared to 2009. Home sales in Arkansas during 2010 totaled 24,128, down 4.78% compared to 2009.

The inventory of homes for sale in Crawford and Sebastian counties during January was 1,420, up 15.9% compared to January 2010, and up 4.6% compared to December 2010, according to Schimmelman’s report.

“The total number of homes on the Crawford/Sebastian County market increased by 4%, continuing the strong buyer’s market that has characterized the region for a long time,” Schimmelman wrote.

The King Realty Market Group Report (as prepared by Ernie Schimmelman):
Crawford County (January)
Homes listed: 423
Homes sold, January 2011: 24
Homes sold, January 2010: 33
Mean price, November (rolling 12-month rate): $117,247
Homes listed $0 to $200,000: 329
Homes listed $201,000 to $500,000: 83
Homes listed $501,000 and up: 11

Sebastian County (January)
Homes listed: 997
Homes sold, January 2011: 63
Homes sold, January 2010: 64
Mean price, November (rolling 12-month rate): $135,087
Homes listed $0 to $200,000: 782
Homes listed $201,000 to $500,000: 180
Homes listed $501,000 and up: 35