Local home sales pick up

MANATEE — The real estate market in Manatee and Sarasota counties had strong sales results in November.

The Manatee Association of Realtors reported 283 properties were sold last month, a 52 percent increase from the 186 homes sold in November 2008.

Meanwhile, the Sarasota Association of Realtors reported 578 home sales in November, an 86 percent increase from 311 properties sold in November 2008.

“We are experiencing a very active real estate market during the early seasonal months when our northern visitors and winter residents return,” said Bill Gellar, president of the Sarasota Association of Realtors, in a news release.

Last month’s sales in Manatee County declined from 303 properties sold in October, but November had the fifth-highest sales total for the year.

The median price for Manatee properties sold in November was $174,000, down 15.7 percent from $206,300 in November 2008.

In Sarasota County, property sales increased slightly from the 574 sold in October.

The median price of single-family homes was $162,500, a 4.4 percent decrease from the $170,000 average in November 2008.

“The statistical trends indicate the market is returning to health,” Gellar said. “Higher sales and pending sales, stabilizing prices, lower inventories; all of these numbers point to a return to a vibrant real estate market.”