Indiana Home Sales Jump in First Quarter

News Release

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. � The statewide housing market out-performed itself on all but one indicator during the first quarter of 2012 when compared to the same three months � January, February and March � of last year.

According to the Indiana Real Estate Markets Report today released by the state�s REALTORS:

� The number of closed home sales increased 15 percent to 12,470;
� The median sale price of those homes increased three percent to $105,599;
� The average sale price increased 2.4 percent to $126,652;
� The number of pending sales increased 15.7 percent to 15,328; and
� The number of new listings increased 1.8 percent to 29,341.

The percent of original list price received did not increase during the first quarter of 2012. It decreased less than a percent, but at 89.1 percent it is within the same range that this indicator has been for the last few years. When comparing March 2012 to March 2011, the percent of original list price received did not change from 89.9 percent. Other year-over-year comparisons are as follows:

� The number of closed home sales increased 12.4 percent to 5,170;
� The median sale price of those homes increased 5.7 percent to $111,000;
� The average sale price increased 4.5 percent to $131,549;
� The number of pending sales increased 9.1 percent to 6,146; and
� The number of new listings decreased 2.9 percent to 11,614.

�With buyers starting to jump into the marketplace, this year�s traditional selling season is shaping up to be the best we�ve seen in years,� said Karl Berron, Chief Executive Officer of the Indiana Association of REALTORS. �But, as we�ve repeatedly said, more Hoosiers must be working and they must be confident in their prolonged employment for 2012 to continue this steady progress that has taken hold.�

For the third year in a row, REALTORS will kick off the traditionally most active season in residential real estate by opening the doors to homes across the country in a synchronized effort. The REALTOR Nationwide Open House Weekend, April 28 & 29, 2012, encourages prospective sellers to see what�s happening in their neighborhood, prospective buyers to sample the available inventory and learn more about homeownership, and REALTORS to connect with consumers over the housing issues that matter most to them. Blue balloons signal participating homes.

More about the Indiana Real Estate Markets Report

Established in May 2009, the Indiana Real Estate Markets Report was the first-ever county-by-county comparison of existing single-family home sales in Indiana. In March 2010, IAR added statistics on other types of existing detached single-family (DSF) home sales � condominiums, duplexes, townhomes, mobile homes, etc. � to the report.

The report became even more robust in August 2010. It now tells how the statewide housing market is performing according to eight different indicators, each with one-month and year-to-date comparisons, as well as a historical look. It also provides specific county information for 91 of Indiana�s 92 counties in a sortable table format, allowing for consistent comparison between local markets. IAR obtains the data directly from and releases this report in partnership with 26 of the state�s 27 Multiple Listing Services (MLSs), including the Broker Listing Cooperative (BLC) in both central and southwestern Indiana.

IAR represents approximately 15,000 REALTORS who are involved in virtually all aspects related to the sale, purchase, exchange or lease of real property in Indiana. The term REALTOR is a registered mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of America�s largest trade association, the National Association of REALTORS, and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.