COLUMBUS, Ohio – Home sales in Columbus and Ohio in May reflected increased activity due to the arrival of warmer weather but a continued reluctance to list homes for sale.
There were 3,935 homes and condos that went on the market in May, 6.2 percent more than April, but 7.1 percent fewer than May 2013, according to data released Monday by the Columbus Board of Realtors.
“We’re averaging over 125 homes listed for sale daily, but the demand continues to outpace the supply,” board president Milt Lustnauer said.
With an inventory level 12.9 percent lower than a year ago, prices continue to climb. The average sale price was $184,474, up 4.9 percent than last year.
The number of sales was 17 percent higher than in April, but 11.3 percent lower than last year, the fifth straight month of year-to-year declines.
Statewide, the number of homes sold in May showed only a 6.2 percent increase from April and a 0.8 percent decrease from the level a year ago, Ohio Association of Realtors president Chris Hall said.
The average home price of $152,612 in Ohio is 2.9 percent higher than last year.
Sales of US existing homes jump 4.9 percent in May, the best monthly gain in nearly 3 years.