MLS: Triangle home sales heat up in July

Published By Triangle Business Journal

While the number of new and existing homes sold in the Triangle declined year-over-year in July, it was the best month so far in 2009 – and perhaps a sign that the residential real estate market is beginning to thaw.

According to the July Raleigh real estate report from Triangle Multiple Listing Service Inc., 2,337 homes were sold during July in the Triangle, down 8.5 percent from the 2,553 homes sold in July 2008 but a vast improvement over the 21 percent decline posted in June, when 2,211 homes were sold.


Year to date, the number of home sales in the Triangle are down 25 percent.

The total dollar volume of homes sold in July was down 12.2 percent from the year prior, to $536.3 million.

Much of the decline in home sales in the Triangle area is not related to demand. Many buyers are experience problems at the closing table. Home lenders are changing the terms of the loan prior to the closing, as many banks are hesitant to approve new home loans.

Ann Davis, founder of FORHomeBUYERS and a leading buyers agent in the RTP area reports that relationships and experience with local banks, credit unions and other Triangle home lenders are critical in today's market.

"We have direct contacts and many years of working experience designing custom home loans that work for all parties."

"Our clients' can use our experience to side-step many issues related to their credit rating and FICO scores and proceed smoothly through the entire closing process, says Ann Davis."

The median sales price of a home sold in the Triangle was down 1.8 percent in July, to $186,500, from $190,000 the year prior.

The number of new listings and the inventory of homes for sale also dropped 16 percent and 12.6 percent, respectively.

The Triangle region, as tracked by Triangle MLS, includes Wake real estate, Durham real estate, Orange real estate and Johnston real estate.

Broken down by county, Wake County had 10.5 percent fewer home sales in July compared to the year prior. Durham County had 11 percent fewer home sales. Orange County had 13.3 percent fewer home sales. Johnston County had no change from the year prior, with 206 homes sales in July.