2013 home sales start with a bang

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WDTN) - The Ohio housing market is off to a great 2013.

The Ohio Association of Realtors reports that the number of homes sold in January is the third highest for the month.

Home sales in January reached 7,254, an 18.7 percent increase from the year before.

“The Ohio housing market is continuing to make significant progress in its attempt to recover from the economic downturn of a few years ago,” said Thomas J. Williams, president of the Ohio Association of REALTORS. “It’s apparent that people want to take advantage of the ideal conditions that exist in today’s marketplace, with historic low interest rates and favorable pricing.”

The average sale price in January was $120,437, also an increase from 2012.

January sales mark the 19th consecutive monthly sales gain in Ohio.