July home sales rise in area

Baton Rouge-area home sales jumped nearly 16 percent in July, continuing 2012’s string of double-digit sales increases, according to figures compiled by the Greater Baton Association of Realtors.

Realtors sold 732 homes in July, compared with 633 in July 2011. The dollar volume of home sales was also up by almost 16 percent to $142.2 million.

The Realtors’ Multiple Listing Service sales account for around 90 percent of the eight-parish market.

Realtors have attributed the increase to low interest rates, pent-up demand and consumer confidence in the economic recovery.

Taking a closer look at the July numbers:

East Baton Rouge Parish had 408 homes sold, an increase of 14 percent from 357. Dollar volume rose 15 percent to $80.9 million. For the year, East Baton Rouge is up 19 percent to 2,472 homes sold and up 15 percent in dollar volume to $488.2 million.

Ascension had 159 homes sold, up 25 percent from 120. Dollar volume rose 29 percent to $32.8 million. For the year, Ascension is up 22 percent to 872 homes, and dollar volume is up 24 percent to $177.1 million.

Livingston Parish saw 95 homes sold, down 10 percent from the 106 sold a year earlier. For the year, Livingston is up 11 percent to 734 homes and 9 percent in dollar volume to $110.9 million.

West Baton Rouge, Iberville, East and West Feliciana and Pointe Coupee parishes saw 70 homes sold, a 40 percent increase over the 50 sold a year earlier.

Dollar volume was up 46 percent to $14.4 million. For the year, sales in those parishes were up 25 percent to 406 homes sold and dollar volume up 32 percent to $74.8 million.