Real Estate News

Florida real estate prices soar in third quarter

Lower interest rates help sustain strong sales

Inman
November 16th, 2005

Other larger MSAs reporting higher resales activity for third quarter 2005 include: Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, where 13,973 homes sold for a 12 percent gain; and West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, where 3,802 homes changed hands for a 5 percent increase. The median sales price in those markets also rose: in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, up 29 percent to $216,100; and in West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, up 24 percent to $399,900.

As for smaller Florida markets, the Ocala MSA had a total of 1,556 homes sold during the quarter, compared with 1,512 a year ago for a 3 percent increase. The median sales price rose 32 percent to $151,600; a year ago, it was $115,000.

Several other smaller MSAs reported strong home sales for the third quarter, including: Gainesville, where 1,030 homes sold for a 13 percent gain; and Melbourne-Titusville-Palm Bay, where 2,243 homes changed hands for a 12 percent increase. The median sales price in those markets also rose: in Melbourne-Titusville-Palm Bay, up 35 percent to $237,800; and in Gainesville, up 11 percent to $185,700.