Pending home sales in Western Washington inched upward last month compared with a year ago, which is the first time that’s happened since April, according to the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, which tracks home sales in more than 20 Puget Sound counties.
Last month, there were 4,987 pending sales in Western Washington, up from 4,888 in November 2009. In King County, there were 2,014 pending sales, up from 1,984 in November 2009.
The number of closing sales last month, though, didn’t approach figures from 2009. In the 20-plus counties tracked by the NWMLS, there were 3,583 closings last month, which compares with 5,168 closings in November 2009. In King County last month, there were 1,331 closings, compared with 2,025 a year earlier.
The average price of a home sale in King County in November was $418,341; the median (half sold for more and half sold for less) sale price was $340,000. A year ago, the average November King County home sale price was $415,581 and the median sale price was $337,000.
Some real estate salespeople said there was an increased number of sales to relocating employees last month, which could be attributed to increased local hiring.
“We’re seeing an upswing in relocation sales after a long lull, which indicates a positive sign in terms of local hiring. Employers traditionally want new hires in place by the first of the year, so sales are happening now,” said OB Jacobi, NWMLS director, in a statement.
Read more: November home sales show rebound, says NWMLS | Puget Sound Business Journal
