‘Real Estate Weekly’: Louisiana home sales up nearly 13% in 2Q

Boosted by a better than 20% increase in the Capital Region, home sales across Louisiana were up 12.7% in the three-month period ending June 30, compared to the same quarter in 2011, according to a new report from the state’s largest association of realtors. Louisiana Realtors reports the Baton Rouge metro region posted a 20.5% increase in residential sales during the second quarter, and that year-to-date sales six months through the year were up 19.4%. Home prices, however, were down 1.9% in the Capital Region during the second quarter, with the average home going for $203,336. Baton Rouge was among seven of the state’s eight metro areas to see an increase in sales during the quarter. Leading the way was Lafayette, which saw a 27% spike in sales. That’s the same increase by percentage that the area had through the first half of 2012. Quarterly sales were up 12.1% in the New Orleans metro area, with year-to-date sales 13.6% better than 2011 figures. The lone metro to see a sales decline was Monroe: down 8.5% for the quarter and generally flat year-to-date, off 0.4%. Year-to-date sales across the state are up 14.7% compared to last year. You can access the complete report and read the rest of the new Real Estate Weekly e-newsletter here.