Sales Activity

This chart and map track recent movements in single-family home sales in Anne Arundel County by ZIP code. The chart lists sales volume and median price for June, the most recent month available, and for the first six months of 1992, and compares those figures to 1991 statistics. The map reflects percentage changes between the median price during January-June 1992 and the same period last year.In future weeks, charts and maps will appear for Harford, Howard, Carroll and Baltimore counties, and Baltimore.

The number of homes sold in the Baltimore area last month was nearly 10 percent higher than the year-earlier period - but down significantly from August, according to data released Tuesday by an affiliate of the region's multiple-listing service. In September, Baltimore and its five neighboring counties saw 2,055 residences sold, down from 2,405 in August, according to sales figures from Rockville-based RealEstate Business Intelligence LLC. "All property segments posted lower than average sales for the month, which could be an early sign that demand has weakened," the firm said in a statement.

Why did Anne Arundel County's average home prices take a dive in March? What happened to foreclosure-hungry investors in Baltimore, with a lot fewer foreclosures to go around? Where's the balance of power between buyers and sellers in Howard County these days? Ross Mackesey, sales manager of Long & Foster Real Estate's Greenspring office, covered all that ground plus some in his monthly commentary on the housing numbers. Here's a taste: Anne Arundel County : The average sale price slumped 10 percent in March vs. a year earlier, but there was more to the story than just falling values.

Existing-home sales in the Baltimore metropolitan area rose 4.3 percent last month compared with March 2002 and the average sales price increased 9.09 percent as housing continues to help prop up the local economy. Sales in Baltimore and the five surrounding counties rose to 3,032 homes in March compared with 2,907 in the corresponding month last year, according to figures released yesterday by Metropolitan Regional Information Systems Inc., the Rockville listing company used by agents and brokers.

Strong demand and favorable affordability conditions kept total existing-home sales in Maryland at high levels in the second quarter, the National Association of Realtors reports. The state's annualized rate of sales was 115,600 in the second quarter, up 1.3 percent from the 113,500 annual rate recorded in the second quarter last year, the association reported. Maryland is among 34 states and the District of Columbia posting increases, according to the association. But data from the Metropolitan Regional Information Systems suggest that the demand for existing houses has started to decline in the Baltimore region in the third quarter.

Sue Pakulla was used to the bustling atmosphere of managing the Columbia office of O'Conor, Piper & Flynn ERA at a time when home sales in Howard County seemed as brisk as ever. And then it all stopped on Sept. 11. As the horror of that day unfolded, when terrorist attacks in Washington and New York stunned America, she knew the days to come would be unlike any that she had seen. "I had a difficult time, pulling people back in, away from their TV," Pakulla said. "They were all glued to their TVs, and that had a major impact on our business at that point because not only were my agents glued, but so were people who were looking to buy houses."

New cars and light trucks sold at a blistering pace in Maryland last month, more than double the rise in national sales, according to figures released yesterday by the state Motor Vehicle Administration. "It's mind-boggling," Chuck Boyle, president of Boyle Buick Inc. in Abingdon, said of the 35.4 percent increase in vehicle sales last month over February's sales in 1999. Boyle is also chairman of the Maryland New Car and Truck Dealers Association, which represents the majority of Maryland's 350 new-car dealers.

Aided by falling interest rates and strong performances in Howard and Harford counties, the Baltimore metropolitan area posted a 15 percent increase in completed sales of existing homes for December.It was the fourth straight month of increased homes sales for the area, according to statistics released yesterday by the Maryland Association of Realtors.Not included in the statistics were final sales from the Anne Arundel Multiple Listing Service, which were unavailable.Howard County had its best month of 1997, showing a 37 percent gain over December 1996.

Baltimore-area home sales for May had a slight 2 percent drop from the same period a year ago, but pending contracts -- an indication of future activity -- dropped significantly, leaving an economist and two Realtors confused over where the market is going.According to statistics released yesterday by the Metropolitan Regional Information System, Baltimore, Carroll and Howard counties all showed an increase in settled transactions last month. Carroll and Howard were up 5 percent each, and Baltimore City was up 2 percent.

This chart and map track recent movements in single-family home sales in the Baltimore metropolitan area. The chart lists sales volume and sales prices from October through December. The map compares total sales for all of 1992 compared with 1991.In future weeks, charts and maps with more detailed information will appear for: Baltimore and Baltimore County; Anne Arundel County; Carroll and Howard counties; and Harford County. The next metro-wide roundup of sales activity will appear in about three months.