N.C. existing home sales up during 2006
Existing home sales in the state grew 3 percent last year compared to 2005, bucking the downward national trend that had analysts, homeowners and Realtors moaning.
The state's Association of Realtors reported Friday that 139,676 homes sold in North Carolina during 2006 - compared to 135,970 during 2005.
Total sales dollars were up 5 percent for the year, surpassing $30 billion. And the average sale price of an existing home grew 2 percent last year, to $214,952.
Existing home sales in the Triad were up 7 percent last year compared to 2005, with the average home price here also posting 2 percent growth year-over-year. Total sales dollars saw 9 percent growth, year-over-year, clocking in at more than $3.1 billion during 2006. The average sale price for an existing home in the region was $177,689.
Jacksonville, Brevard, Wilson and Catawba Valley saw the strongest year-end growth in total sales dollars, the association reported.
The Outer Banks and Wilmington saw notable declines in total sales dollars for the year, and Wilmington saw a 20 percent decline in the number of homes sold from 2005 to 2006. The Outer Banks saw a 44 percent decline in the number of homes sold year-over-year.