Home sales in Bristol County, Mass., slip

By Patrick Anderson
PBN Staff Writer

BOSTON – Sales of single-family homes in Bristol County, Mass., fell 3.6 percent in October while the median sales price dropped 3.4 percent compared to the same month last year, the Warren Group said Tuesday.

The real estate tracking firm reported 212 single-family homes sold in October, down from 220 last year. The median sale price dropped to $230,000 from $238,000 in October 2010.

Bristol County’s drop in sales bucked a statewide 6.6 percent year-over-year increase in volume, according to Warren Group figures.

However, the median sale price in Massachusetts dropped 6.9 percent, even further than Bristol County, to $270,000.

"Prices have held steady in the past few months, so a near 7 percent drop in prices is a bit unexpected," the firm said. "It could indicate buyers are pursing bargains and not encountering much competition."

Separately, the Massachusetts Association of Realtors - which uses different sources to track home sales than The Warren Group - reported Tuesday single-family home sales rose 2.7 percent in October, while the median sales price dropped 5.2 percent year over year to $275,000.

In other segments of the market, statewide condominium sales rose 0.8 percent year over year, with the median sales price rising 4.1 percent, according to the Association of Realtors.