ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, August 18, 1996 TAG: 9608190115
SECTION: HOMES PAGE: D-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MAG POFF STAFF WRITER
Virginia's home sales for the month of June were below sales during the same period last year, according to the home sales survey published by the Virginia Association of Realtors.
The Realtors said 5,837 homes were reported under contract in June, a decrease of 7.74 percent from the 6,327 reported for last year.
Closed sales for June were ahead of last year, with 7,356 contracts closed, a 6.66 percent increase over last year's 6,897.
For the first half of the year, however, home sales figures for the state were slightly ahead of last year. Through June, 33,546 contracts were placed compared to last year's figure of 33,312, an increase of 0.7 percent.
In Western Virginia, Realtors in most communities reported decreases for the first half of the year and for the month of June.
Barbara M. Wolcott of Virginia Beach, president of the association, said the home sales market remained "very good" despite the dip in June.
Realtors are seeing greater consumer confidence in the economy, Wolcott said, and home buyers seem to be moving forward with their plans regardless of fluctuations in the interest rates.
In June, the average home was on the market for 85 days. The average price of a single-family home was $108,675, down slightly from last year's average of $110,864.
LENGTH: Short : 35 lines ILLUSTRATION: GRAPHIC: Chart by staff: regional home sales. KEYWORDS: MGRby CNB