Miami County home sales see healthy gains in 2013

Median prices for homes also increased to $47,500 in 2013 from $43,000 in 2012, a jump of 9.3 percent.

Julie Allen, principal broker with Allen Realty Group, said the numbers represent a healthier housing market and an improving economy.

“The average sales price of homes have gone up, and I would say we do have a shortage of homes on the market right now, so we need homes to sell,” she said. “Our average-priced home is different from what you’d find in Kokomo or Logansport, but the fact that it is increasing tells us that the market is increasing.”

At the end of December 2013, there was an increase of 7.5 percent in new home listings from 478 to 514 and a lower inventory of homes, from 195 to 183.

“Spring is normally the time when homes sell, and a lot of times people hold off until end of February or first of March before they put their homes on the market,” Allen said. “We have a low inventory, (so) it’s not a bad idea to think about putting your home on the market earlier than that.”

Kevin Kirkpatrick, 2013 president of the Indiana Association of Realtors, said housing markets statewide had tougher Decembers in 2013 due to severe weather and decreased inventory.

Miami County bucked that trend, closing 2013 with 21 sales as opposed to 2012’s 17 sales.