Home Sales Pick Up, Even with the Holidays

The winter holidays typically make December a slow month for residential real estate sales, but last month's home sales were up from the same period the previous year.

While sales remained in the single digits, as they have been since September 2011, eight homes sold during December 2011 compared to six in December 2010.

Sales prices ranged across the spectrum, with three homes selling for under $1 million, four in the $1 million-$2 million range and one for over $2 million.

All but two sold for a bit less than the listing price. A four-bedroom on Blair Avenue, though, brought the sellers an extra $31,000, while a home on Sandringham Avenue sold for $105,111 over its asking price.

All eight homes sold fairly quickly, within five to six weeks of going on the market. Escrow closed before Christmas on all but one of the homes.

Property closing information was provided by Matt Heafey, Realtor at The GRUBB Co.