MADISON — The dramatic slowing of the economy to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus decreased home sales in April even as prices continued to rise, according to the most recent review of the existing home market by the Wisconsin Realtors Association. Existing home sales fell 6.9% in April, compared to April 2019 whereas the significant tightening of inventories drove the median price up 9.7% over the past 12 months to $214,000. 

Year-to-date home sales remained in positive territory after a good start to the year, rising 2.9% through the first four months of 2020 relative to that same period in 2019. Median prices continued to rise on a year-to-date basis, increasing 8.3% to $200,000.

The median price for Green County decreased by 23.6% to $172,750 with home sales increasing by 15.2%.

The home sales for Lafayette County decreased by 12.5% with no change with the median price.