Home sales stabilizing

By CHRISTOPHER KROMER Tribune Chronicle
WARREN — Home sales and average prices in Trumbull County registered slight increases in April, with just the opposite trend developing in Mahoning County.

Despite the disparity, a local Realtor says prices in Trumbull County are stabilizing as new buyers utilize city assistance.

‘‘First-time buyers are taking advantage of the current market supply and continued low interest rates, with several using the down payment assistance programs from the city,’’ Warren Area Board of Realtors President Andrea Lupton said.

According to the board, there were 141 sales in Trumbull County in April. That was a decrease from the 186 figure of a year ago, but compared favorably to March’s 134.

Lupton said increases should continue, with 227 pending transactions in Trumbull County.

The average market time for homes in Trumbull County decreased to 134 days in April, down from March’s mark of 140 days.

Thirty-three of the 141 sales came within the $29,999 and less price range. The $100,000 to $119,999 range accounted for 15 sales, with the $90,000 to $99,999 range coming in third with 14.

The average price of $84,352 was an increase over the $82,284 average in March, but fell short of last April’s average of $87,861.

The median price, which represents the midpoint of home sale prices, stood at $72,000.

In Mahoning County, monthly sales totaled 169, dipping below March’s total of 186 and far below last April’s count of 229.

Thirty-seven of the county’s sales came from the $29,999 and less range, while 27 came from the $70,000 to $79,999 group.

Average sale prices in the county declined sharply from $90,367 in March to $80,255 in April.

Mahoning County’s median price also fell slightly from $70,500 in March to $69,000 in April.

ckromer@tribune-chronicle.com