MONROE - Unlike the more dramatic declines in home sales statewide, Green County has seen only a fractional drop in home sales, and Lafayette County is up.
Home sales had a rocky start this year compared to last, dropping 7 percent nationwide in the first four months of 2014, thanks in part to the cold weather. Numbers released from the Wisconsin Realtors Association recently showed a 6.9 percent dip in May home sales statewide, but Green County saw just one less home sold in May compared to the same month a year earlier. The May median home price rose from $122,865 to $129,500, giving some the sense that the local economy is regaining some of its lost traction from the housing crisis six years ago.
Nate Lancaster, broker and owner of Century 21 Real Estate, said their sales are up 25 percent this month compared to May 2013. He said sales have been growing so well that they recently set up a new agency in downtown Darlington.
"Things are expanding for us as a company," Lancaster said. "Residential prices are far lower than something like Dane or even Green County, but we've been doing great."
Lafayette County showed small growth in May home sales, from 10 sold in 2013 to 12 sold in 2014. But median house prices fell by $750 to $84,500 this year. Lancaster said this part of Wisconsin is typically about six months behind on major market fluctuations on the east and west coasts, and about three to four months behind bigger markets like Madison.
"You don't see much change in Monroe; it's basically had a population of 10,000 people for the last 40 years," he said.
Lancaster said he expects to see further growth as consumers react to a stronger economy.
"We are "Steady Eddy' here," he said.
Home sales had a rocky start this year compared to last, dropping 7 percent nationwide in the first four months of 2014, thanks in part to the cold weather. Numbers released from the Wisconsin Realtors Association recently showed a 6.9 percent dip in May home sales statewide, but Green County saw just one less home sold in May compared to the same month a year earlier. The May median home price rose from $122,865 to $129,500, giving some the sense that the local economy is regaining some of its lost traction from the housing crisis six years ago.
Nate Lancaster, broker and owner of Century 21 Real Estate, said their sales are up 25 percent this month compared to May 2013. He said sales have been growing so well that they recently set up a new agency in downtown Darlington.
"Things are expanding for us as a company," Lancaster said. "Residential prices are far lower than something like Dane or even Green County, but we've been doing great."
Lafayette County showed small growth in May home sales, from 10 sold in 2013 to 12 sold in 2014. But median house prices fell by $750 to $84,500 this year. Lancaster said this part of Wisconsin is typically about six months behind on major market fluctuations on the east and west coasts, and about three to four months behind bigger markets like Madison.
"You don't see much change in Monroe; it's basically had a population of 10,000 people for the last 40 years," he said.
Lancaster said he expects to see further growth as consumers react to a stronger economy.
"We are "Steady Eddy' here," he said.