Home sales in Dane County are up by 23% in September. This will be the third month in a row where 2011 sales surpassed sales in 2010. South Central WI MLS-wide, September real estate sales are up by 19%. The median price for Dane County, $206,000, the midpoint of all closed sales ranked from lowest to highest price, stayed almost identical compared to last year. For the entire South Central MLS area, median price was down by 3.8%
The most popular price range is again between $100,000-$300,000. 38.1% of single family homes sold in September were in the $100,000-$200,000 range and 18.1% in the $200,000-$300,000 range. Below is a snap shot of counties within the South Central MLS. (data from SCWMLS)
SOLD Residential Listings including Condos as of September
| County | YTD 2011 | YTD 2010 | YTD 2009 |
| Columbia County | |||
| # sales | 380 | 381 | 383 |
| Ave sales price | 141,528 | 165,189 | 158,909 |
| median sales price | 130,000 | 145,000 | 145,000 |
| Dane County | |||
| # sales | 3704 | 4154 | 4270 |
| Ave sales price | 239,925 | 233,240 | 228,580 |
| Median sales price | 206,000 | 205,241 | 205,000 |
| Dodge County | |||
| # sales | 323 | 401 | 399 |
| Ave sales prices | 117,573 | 122,069 | 129,924 |
| Median sales price | 99,900 | 110,000 | 117,000 |
| Grant County | |||
| # sales | 208 | 211 | 232 |
| Ave sales price | 104,254 | 116,256 | 117,601 |
| Median sales price | 85,000 | 102,500 | 107,800 |
| Green County | |||
| # sales | 279 | 241 | 247 |
| Ave sales price | 143,982 | 146,168 | 152,125 |
| Median sales price | 123,000 | 129,900 | 128,000 |
| Iowa County | |||
| # sales | 139 | 138 | 154 |
| Ave sales price | 145,365 | 159,471 | 163,367 |
| Median sales price | 15,500 | 136,000 | 125,000 |
| Rock County | |||
| # sales | 1156 | 1228 | 1180 |
| Ave sales price | 103,522 | 111,614 | 120,504 |
| Median sales price | 90,000 | 105,000 | 115,000 |
| Sauk County | |||
| # sales | 469 | 412 | 424 |
| Ave sales price | 147,885 | 161,345 | 157,734 |
| Median sales price | 127,500 | 144,500 | 141,000 |
The increased activity we’ve seen in the last few months in encouraging. Interest rates remain at record lows and home affordability is high. In spite of market challenges, sales in the fourth quarter of 2011 should be much better than the fourth quarter of 2011. That’s a good way to head into the new year.
Is now a good time to buy a home?
It depends on your individual situation. But if you are thinking about it and a little unsure, here’s what The Wall Street Journal and Forbes have to say about buying a home:
“It’s an excellent time to buy a house, either to live in for the long term or for investment income… Houses aren’t the magic wealth creators they were made out to be during the bubble. But when prices are low, loans are cheap and plump investment yeilds are scarce, buyers should jump.” Read the rest of the WSJ article “It’s Time to Buy That House”
From the blog for WSJ, marketwatch.com: “Now could be the best time in history to buy a home.”
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