Sales show mixed bag in Q4

The sales of existing homes and condos in Florida increased in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared with the same period the previous year, according to a report from Florida Realtors, but Gulf Coast communities saw some variance from that trend.

Statewide, existing home sales were up 7% and existing condo sales increased 4% in that quarter, with the biggest changes coming from South Florida.

On the Gulf Coast, the Sarasota-Bradenton market posted the biggest gain in sales of single-family existing home sales compared with the fourth quarter a year ago. Sales increased 9%, with 2,526 sales compared to 2,311. Prices declined, however, with a 2% drop in the median sales price from $150,900 to $148,400. In the same market, the opposite was true for existing condominium sales, according to the report. Condo sales decreased 9%, to 833 sold in the fourth quarter compared to 902 sold during that quarter a year ago, while the median price increased to $114,900, an increase of 2% over the same quarter a year ago.