Mass. home sales end year strongly, prices show mild increase

MASSACHUSETTS SAW single-family home median prices and sales volume increase in December, according to The Warren Group, although sales declined on the year even as prices increased. Bristol County experienced a decline in sales volume even as prices increased to a median of $250,000.
MASSACHUSETTS SAW single-family home median prices and sales volume increase in December, according to The Warren Group, although sales declined on the year even as prices increased. Bristol County experienced a decline in sales volume even as prices increased to a median of $250,000.

BOSTON — Sales of single-family homes in Massachusetts rebounded in December with a 10 percent increase in volume, according to a report released Tuesday by The Warren Group. It was the largest month for sales in a year that saw a 2 percent decline in closings.
Median prices also increased in December by 2 percent to $320,000. The single-family price rose 2.5 percent for the year.
Bristol County had mixed results. Single-family home prices across the county slid 3 percent in December, to a median of $237,000. For the year overall, prices rose 2 percent to $250,000.
Sales in Bristol County were strong in December, with an 11 percent increase to 282 closings. But overall, the county had a 3 percent decline in volume for the year.
Condominium sales slid in the Bay State, decreasing almost 8 percent in December. This was the fifth consecutive monthly sales decrease in 2014. For the full year, condo sales increased slightly, by less than 1 percent.
In Bristol County, condo sales slid, ending December with a 40 percent decrease. Thirty-four condos were sold in December, compared with 57 a year ago. Median prices also fell in December, by 18 percent. For the year, however, median prices rose 2 percent to $173,250.
In a statement, Timothy M. Warren Jr., CEO of the Boston-based Warren Group, said the December sales and price increases were exceptionally strong, the largest bump in more than a year. “With rates hitting historic lows for 30-year mortgages and strong job growth, I am confident that we will see a strong start to the 2015 market.”

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