2012 numbers still top last year’s by 7.7%

Home sales in Austin basically remained unchanged from last year for the third-straight month.

There were 28 homes sold in Austin in September compared to 30 in September 2011, and 98 homes sold in July, August and September compared to 100 in those same months of 2011, according to data released Tuesday by the Southeast Minnesota Association of Realtors. However, home sales still are up 7.7 percent through nine months in 2012 compared to that same range in 2011, with 292 homes sold this year to 271 in 2011.

Homes are still selling quicker in 2012, at 121 days compared to 129 through September 2011, and the median sales price for Austin was $76,000, a 6 percent increase from 2011 when it was $72,000.

“Median sales price is stable from the same time last year, showing security in the market but not yet upward trending home sales price,” SEMAR President Angie Schott said.

The Rochester area continues to show a large increase in home sales this year, with an 18.7 percent increase in September and an 18.2 percent increase for the year.

Austin’s 292 homes sold this year still betters Winona’s and Goodview’s 260, Owatonna’s 235, and Albert Lea’s 144. However, Winona’s and Goodview’s and Owatonna’s numbers are way up over last year, at 19.3 percent and 18.7 percent, respectively. The 144 homes sold in Albert Lea this year is an 8.3 percent decrease.

Austin homes sold

28 — in September compared to 30 in September 2011

98 — last three months, 100 during same three months of 2011

292 — sold in 2012 compared to 271 during same range in 2011 (7.7% increase)

Southeast Minnesota overview

Percent increase/decrease of homes sold through September 2012 compared to same months in 2011

—Winona/Goodview: 19.3% increase

—Owatonna: 18.7% increase

—Rochester: 18.2% increase

—Austin: 7.7% increase

—Albert Lea: 8.3% decrease

Source: Southeast Minnesota Association of Realtors