New York State Housing Statistics

New York housing sales gain strength in March
Albany – April 25, 2006 – Sales of existing single-family homes in New York gained strength in March compared to the previous month, according to preliminary single-family sales data accumulated by the New York State Association of REALTORS. While sales were up, the preliminary data showed a decline in the median sales price from February 2006.
The March 2006 sales total of 6,766 increased 24 percent compared to the February 2006 sales total of 5,456. The March 2006 sales total fell 3.4 percent from the March 2005 sales total of 7,007.
The statewide median selling price of $260,000 decreased by 6.5 percent compared to February 2006, which recorded a median sales price of $278,000. The median remained unchanged in March 2006 compared to the same period a year earlier.
Sales gains were reported in 24 counties in March 2006 compared to the same period a year earlier, while 43 counties reported growth from the previous month. Montgomery County led the state in sales growth percentage compared to March 2005 with a 240-percent increase. Both Lewis and Schuyler counties recorded an increase of 100 percent from February 2006.
Forty-seven counties reported gains in median selling price in March 2006 compared to the same period a year earlier and 28 counties reported gains from February 2006. Franklin County led the state in median sales price growth compared to March 2005. Schuyler County recorded the largest growth in median sales price from February 2006.
“The March data support our statewide market forecast, which projects a slowing down from the historically high sales levels of 2005 and 2004,” said Charles M. Staro, NYSAR chief executive officer. “The New York housing market will maintain strong sales levels with price appreciation returning to single-digit growth.”