US Housing sales drop 17% while Sarasota Florida sales increase 43%

Previously occupied sales of residential homes dropped 17% in Dec. 2009.  This was the largest decline in US home sales in more than 40 years.  Bucking the national trend the Sarasota-Bradenton area has an increase of 43% during this same time period.  The Florida Association of Realtors also reported a similar increase of 42% in sales  in the N. Port-Pt. Charlotte areas.

Today's Sarasota Herald Tribune reported, "year-end data showed prices dropped 29 percent in Sarasota-Bradenton and 25 percent in Charlotte County-North Port.". As lenders sell off inventory at huge discounts sales are anticipated to remain strong.   However, the number of bank owned properties increased dramatically increased in Dec. 2009.  In 2009, bank's repossesed a total of 2,043 properties in Sarasota county, 535 of these were in December alone. 

All bank owned (REO) and short sale properties listed for sale in  Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte county are available online at http://Sarasota-Foreclosures.com