South Florida home sales rose again in June

South Florida home sales rose again in June, while prices were more uneven, the Florida Realtors said Wednesday.

Broward County had 1,274 existing homes change hands last month, up 6 percent from a year ago. In Palm Beach County, 1,184 homes sold, a 9 percent increase from June 2010.

Sales in the two counties have increased in every month since January.

Broward’s median price in June was $196,000, up 26 percent from a year ago. The county’s median has been up and down so far in 2011, while Palm Beach County’s median has been down consistently during the first half of the year.

Palm Beach County’s median price was $204,900 in June, down 12 percent from a year ago.

Statewide, sales rose 4 percent from a year ago, while the median price of $138,000 was off 2 percent. The median means half the homes sold for more and half for less.

“Promising signs continue for a slowly strengthening economy and housing market,” Florida Realtors President Patricia Fitzgerald said in a statement.

Analysts agree that the Florida housing recovery will be gradual, with some months better than others. Still, prices aren’t expected to hit bottom until 2012.


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