Area home sales show signs of stabilizing

House sales in Trumbull County inched up in October from the prior month, with the median price continuing to show signs of stabilizing.

County sales totaled 138 compared to 132 in September, according to the Youngstown Columbiana Association of Realtors report released Monday. Sales, however, still came up short from the year-ago 156 total.

The median price again showed some firmness, with October coming in at $67,250, close to September's $68,000 and better than the year-ago $65,000.

Mahoning County's unit sales rose briskly to 211 from 174 in September and 185 a year ago. The $78,500 median price matched the September price and jumped from October 2008's $72,000.

Sales have been helped by the government's $8,000 tax credit to first-time buyers, an incentive that has been extended and expanded to include more potential buyers.

Houses in Trumbull County spent a little more time on the market before selling in October than September - a median of 80 cumulative days compared to 72. Mahoning County saw an improvement to 81 days from 84 in September.

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