December home sales rose in Trumbull

staff report

Trumbull County was the only county in the Mahoning Valley to post an increase in home sales in December.

Average sale prices, however, were down in Mahoning and Trumbull counties last month, but Columbiana saw an increase, according to figures released by the Youngstown Columbiana Association of Realtors.

Trumbull recorded 139 home sales last month, compared with 122 in December 2008. The average sale price last month was $72,643, compared with $74,627 in December 2008.

Mahoning County had 121 sales last month, down from 154 in December 2008. The average sale price was $80,835 last month, down from $89,151 in December 2008.

Columbiana County posted 50 sales last month, compared with 57 in December 2008. The average sale price was $85,555, up from $63,585 in December 2008.

The length of times homes were on the market varied in the three counties. The average times on the market last month were: Mahoning, 114 days, up from 108 days; Trumbull, 103 days, down from 111 days; and Columbiana, 121 days, up from 119 days.

The numbers are for home-sale closings that occurred last month. Closings typically occur about 30 days after a sale agreement is reached, the association said.