ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Sunday, April 7, 1996                  TAG: 9604090035
SECTION: HOMES                    PAGE: D-2  EDITION: METRO 

FEBRUARY HOME SALES UP

Virginia's home sales figures for February jumped ahead of last year's numbers, according to the home sales survey published by the Virginia Association of Realtors.

In February, 4,914 homes were reported under contract, an increase of 9.47 percent over the 4,489 reported for the same period last year.

Closed sales were consistent, with 3,487 contracts, an increase of 10.7 percent over last year's 3,150.

"This is certainly a good sign so early in the year since we normally don't see an increase until the early spring months," said Barbara M. Wolcott of Virginia Beach, president of the association.

"However, the economic news has been good and there appears to be stronger consumer confidence, at least in Virginia," she said.

In February, the average market time for home sales was 81 days.

The average price of a single-family home was $103,640, up from last year's average of $99,702.

Increases in pending home sales for the month were seen in 17 of the 26 areas reporting sales activity, including Blue Ridge, Charlottesville, Danville, Greater Piedmont, Lynchburg, Martinsville-Henry, New River Valley and Tidewater.

LENGTH: Short :   32 lines
ILLUSTRATION: GRAPHIC:  Chart by staff: Regional home sales.