Ohio home sales decline in April

Ohio home sales decline in April

Youngstown

Home sales statewide fell 5 percent in April compared with the same month last year, and the average sales price fell 6.9 percent over the same period. Top-dollar volume fell 11.5 percent, from $2.4 billion to $2.16 billion.

In Mahoning County, home sales rose 3.5 percent, from 143 in April 2010 to 148 last month. The average sale price jumped 22 percent, from $81,489 to $100,091.

“Buyers are scrambling to find housing to take advantage of the low interest rates,” said Gina Shutrump, office manager at Howard Hanna’s Canfield office. “We need more homes on the market.”

Trumbull County home sales fell 22 percent, from 176 sales in April 2010 to 137 last month, but the average sale price increased 5 percent, from $69,127 to $72,714.

In Columbiana County, home sales fell nearly 30 percent, dropping from 47 in April 2010 to 33 last month, and the average sale price declined 13 percent, from $67,838 to $58,869.

Job fair planned

AUSTINTOWN

Staff Right Professional Services LLC will host a multiemployer job fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday at Country Inn and Suites, 5570 Interstate Blvd.

Available temporary and temporary-to-hire jobs in the manufacturing and professional-services fields range in pay from $7.40 an hour to $14 an hour based on experience.

Applicants are encouraged to bring updated r sum s and two forms of valid government identification.

More information on Staff Right, which has locations in Columbiana, Boardman and Warren, is available at www.staffrightservices.com.

F.N.B. dividend

Hermitage, PA

F.N.B. Corp. announced a quarterly cash dividend of 12 cents per share on its common stock. The dividend is payable June 15 to shareholders of record as of June 1.

Applications for jobless aid fall

WASHINGTON

The number of people applying for unemployment benefits fell sharply for the second-straight week, suggesting the job market is recovering slowly.

Applications for benefits dropped 29,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 409,000, the Labor Department said.

30-year mortgage rate falls to 4.61%

NEW YORK

Fixed mortgage rates fell this week to the lowest point of the year, offering incentive for homeowners to save money by refinancing their loans.

Freddie Mac said Thursday that the average rate on the 30-year loan fell to 4.61 percent. That’s down from 4.63 percent and the lowest level since mid-December.

The average rate on the 15-year fixed mortgage, a popular refinance option, slipped to 3.80 percent from 3.82 percent. That marked the lowest point since late November.

Staff/wire reports