The Iowa Association of Realtors latest report shows the number of home sales across the state were up in September. Association president, Carey Jensen. She says there was a 4.6% increase from August to September with 2,922 homes sold last month compared to 2,794 homes sold in August.
Jensen is a realtor in Council Bluffs and says the buyers are getting a little less for their homes on average. Jensen says the average sale price decreased from $140,254 dollars last year to $137,343. Jensen says the first-time homebuyer tax credit is about to expire and that has spurred some people to move ahead and buy a home.
Jensen says some people who were on the fence waiting to buy a home have decided to take advantage of the tax incentive. Sales were up only 2.5% in September compared to last year, but Jensen says it’s a move in the right direction. Jensen says an increase is great for the industry and she expects that to continue through this year. Jensen says realtors are anxious to see if the tax credit will be extended and expanded. The average number of days it took to sell a home remained at 99 from August to September.