County sees rise in home sales

COUNTY — Sales of existing homes in Oxford County between July and September were unchanged from last year, despite a rise in sales across the state, according to statistics released by Maine Association of Realtors.

But according to Paris Cape Realty owner Helga Thurston, the monthly statistics only tell part of the story –  sales of existing homes has been growing every month this year compared to 2011.

"I don't by any means see that sales are flat in terms of number of units sold," Thurston says.

Thurston says September is the first month sales were flat – according to the statistics, 142 homes were sold in Oxford County between July and September this year, exactly the number that were sold during the same time period in 2011.

Other monthly comparisons show the housing market is getting better, Thurston says. 

Between April and June 18.87 percent more homes were sold than in the same period in 2011, 126 compared to 106. Between May and July, the county recorded a 27.93 percent rise –  142 units sold compared to 111 the year before.

"September literally was the first month where it was even with the month before," Thurston says. "In the prior months it was very substantial increases. You average that out and we're well ahead of 2011."

 While the number of units sold is increasing, median sale price of homes is rising much more slowly.

Between July and September the median home price in Oxford County grew 10 percent, from $119,450 to $131,500 per unit.

Thurston says the rise is promising, but in general, prices are not bouncing back.

"That's going to take a while," she says. "We're not going to go back to 2006 values in a matter of months; that's going to be a few years."

Right now, Thurston says, it is a great time to buy a home – prices are competitive and interest rates are low.

"For buyers it's a wonderful time," she says.