Judging by the number of homes sold in the Saskatoon region in July, there are no lazy days of summer for local real estate agents.
Sales rose by 13 per cent last month, rising to 403 from 356 in July 2010, the Saskatoon Region Association of Realtors (SRAR) said Tuesday.
In its monthly residential sales report, the association also noted the average sales price for a home in Saskatoon rose to $303,439 in July, a four per cent increase from the same month last year when homes in the city sold for an average price of $290,411.
Year-to-date, homes in the city have sold for an average price of $305,419 — up five per cent from the average purchase price of $290,559 that was recorded over the first seven months of 2010.
For most of this year, buyers have been choosing homes in the $300,000 to $350,000 range, causing the average price as reported by SRAR to steadily rise.
The association said residential market conditions in Saskatoon remain positive.
“The new home market remains strong with steady city lot sales taking place,� says SRAR’s report. “Interest rates remain unchanged, being favourable to purchase that next home. Job creation in the Saskatoon region remains steady.
“The forecast for the remainder of 2011 is for listing and sales numbers to continue to balance and for prices to level or move up slightly due to demand.�
Meanwhile, sales outside of the city rose 37 per cent from last year, with 96 homes selling last month, up from 70 in July 2010.
The average July selling price for houses in bedroom communities rose by two per cent, increasing to $289,037 from $284,388.
Realtors listed 619 residential properties in surrounding cities and towns on the market in July, a 15 per cent increase over the 536 such units listed in July 2010.
In Saskatoon, 603 homes were listed for sale in July, a 10 per cent increase from the 549 homes listed in July 2010.
So far this year, 4,536 residential properties have been placed on the market, up three per cent from 4,388 listings through July of last year.
At the end of last month, 1,405 homes were available to buy in the region. At this time last year, 1,430 houses were listed for sale.
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