By Jim Litten

The 2012 housing market ended on a positive note in Central Indiana. With 1,490 pended sales in December in Central Indiana, overall 2012 year-to-date home sales are up 17.3 percent compared to the same time in 2011, according to statistics compiled by F.C. Tucker Co.

On a monthly basis, December 2012 pended home sales rose 12.2 percent over December 2011, an increase of 162 homes sold in the nine counties that F.C. Tucker tracks. With 267 pended homes in December, Hamilton County was among the areas with a year-to-date increase over 2011.

In Hamilton County, 2012 year-to-date pended home sales increased 22.1 percent, increasing the number of pended home sales to 5,493 from 4,497 the previous year.
Fishers home sales ended 2012 in positive territory as well. Year-to-date home closings increased 9.1 percent, bringing the number of closings to 504 from 462.
Home prices in Fishers continue to rise as well. The average sales price from January to December 2012 was $175,231, which is a 4.2 percent increase from the same time in 2011.
Of the homes that sold in Fishers last month, one was priced $500,000 to $999,999; five were priced $200,000 to 299,999; 19 were priced $100,000 to $199,999; and one was priced at $99,999 or less.
In addition to rising home prices, tightening inventory is a sign of market stabilization. In Fishers, 152 homes were available for sale in December 2012 – 27 fewer homes than in December 2011.

For 20 straight months, existing home sales have shown month-to-month improvement, and we’re optimistic low interest rates and affordable prices will continue to fuel the trend as we begin 2013.