Stoneham Home Sales Slip in February

Low inventory and a comparison with a strong previous year of sales led to a dip in home sales in Stoneham and across Massachusetts in February, according to The Warren Group.

Six single-family homes sold in Stoneham in February, compared to nine sold in February 2012. Statewide single-family home sales dropped five percent year-over-year, reversing 13 straight months of rising sales volume according to The Warren Group. 

Timothy M. Warren Jr., CEO of The Warren Group, cited low inventory and last year's strong sales in a press release.

"Even so, I'm still hopeful for a strong spring market," Warren said in the release. "As more sellers list their homes in the spring, activity will pick back up."

So far this year, 15 single-family homes have sold in Stoneham, while 14 sold in the first two months last year. Statewide home sales are up almost 1 percent year-to-date.

The median sale price of a single-family Stoneham home has also crept up. In February it was $338,500, almost a 5 percent increase of the $322,500 median sale price in February 2012. The statewide median price rose more than 12 percent in February.

Year-to-date, the median sale price of a single-family Stoneham home is $345,000, more than a 4 percent increase over the $331,250 median price int he first two months of last year. The statewide year-to-date median home price is up about 12 percent, rising to $279,000 from $250,750 last year. 

"With such low inventory, we're seeing bidding wars—homes selling above the asking price," Warren said in the release. "As prices rise, more sellers will begin to list their property which in turn pumps up sales volume."

Condo Sales Up a Bit

Meanwhile, condominium sales rose slightly in February. In Stoneham, six condos were sold in February compared to five in the same month last year. Statewide condo sales were up almost 1.4 percent.

So far this year, 12 condos have sold in Stoneham compared to nine in the first two months of last year. Statewide condo sales are up almost 5 percent year-to-date.

The median sale price of a Stoneham condo in February was much higher than the same month last year—$225,000, a 63 percent increase over the $138,000 median price in February 2012. Statewide, the median sale price of a condo rose more than 6 percent in February.

Year-to-date, the median sale price of a Stoneham condo is $224,975, a 19 percent increase over the $188,000 median price in the first two months of last year. The statewide year-to-date median price for condos is up almost 1 percent, rising to $242,000 from $240,000 a year ago.