ANNA MARIA — May was not only a strong month for Manatee County home sales but sales on Anna Maria Island were healthy, too.
The Manatee Association of Realtors reported that 24 single-family homes on Anna Maria Island were sold in May, an increase from 13 sold a year ago in May 2009.
The 24 homes were among 343 homes sold countywide in May, an increase from 284 in May 2009.
John van Zandt, a sales associate for Island Real Estate, attributed the increase to investor demand returning to the market.
“There’s been a lot of pent up demand and really good deals,” van Zandt said.
Island Real Estate sold 21 residential properties in May, up from 12 in May 2009.
In addition, the Anna Maria Island agency reported a 40 percent increase in the sales of homes, condominiums and duplexes for the year ending May 31, compared to the year ending May 31, 2009.
Van Zandt said the agency sold 270 units from June 1, 2009 to May 31, 2010 compared to 193 during the same time period a year earlier.
Month-to-month average prices for all homes sold in Anna Maria Island last month was $589,000, up from $569,000 in May 2009, according to Manatee Association of Realtors statistics.
The average starting price of a residential home sold by Island Real Estate through May 31, 2010 was $502,000 compared to an average of $625,000 through May 31, 2009.
Condo sales are returning and were among one of the areas that saw a jump in sales for Island Real Estate. Condo sales increased 65 percent with 102 units sold this year compared to 62 units in the previous year for the company.
The average starting price of a condo through May 31 was $350,000 compared to an average of $362,000 the previous year.
A majority of Island Real Estate’s sales went to buyers purchasing second homes or investors.
“It is people who have been coming to Anna Maria Island for years and they want a piece of it for their later years,” van Zandt said. “In many cases they buy the property now, put it in a rental program to help pay the taxes and insurance and use it for themselves down the line.”
Month-to-month sales also increased for homes, condos and duplexes by 26 percent in May compared to a 23 percent in May 2009.
Disclaimer: Story comments are intended to provide a place for constructive dialog about issues and events in our community. Your input is encouraged and can make a positive difference. To achieve this, no obscenity, personal attacks, or racial slurs are tolerated. Users brought to our attention for violating our terms of use will be blocked from commenting permanently and without notice. Please help keep the comments on topic by flagging objectionable material and remember that children and young adults may be reading your comments. With freedom of speech comes the responsibility to be respectful of others.
Email Story
Printer Friendly 
Quick Job Search