Housing market still seeks stability

Trumbull County's housing market continued to seek its footing with a mixed bag of numbers in July.

Unit sales fell 23.3 percent to 122 in the month versus 159 in July 2008, according to the Youngstown Columbiana Association of Realtors. Sales were below June's 153.

The median price tumbled 12.1 percent to $70,200 from $79,900 a year ago, although it was better than the $59,000 in June.

In addition, houses sold slightly faster than they did a year ago, staying on the market a median - the midpoint of the range - of 63 days compared to 65 last year. The average days on market, which can be skewed by extremes at either end of the total, fell to 91 days from 120 days.

The $29,999 and less had the most sales in July with 30. The second most popular range was $120,000 to $139,999 with 13 sales. One house sold in the $500,000 to $749,999 group.

Mahoning County home sales fell 7.9 percent to 174 from 189 both a year ago and in the preceding month of June. The median price of $80,000 fell shy of the $81,000 a year ago but rose from $79,900 in June.

Thirty-five homes sold for $29,999 or less. The next most popular segment was $120,000 to $139,999, which saw 17 homes change hands. One sold in the $450,000 to $449,999 bracket.

The median number of days a house in Mahoning County spent on the market dropped to 55 from 73 a year ago. The average inched up to 112 days from 111.