Homes are Flying Off the Market in Acton

The Acton real estate market continues its upward trend, according to a new report.

July saw a nearly 50 percent increase in home sales in Acton compared to a year ago.

The median sale price is also on the rise -- for July anyway. In 2012, the median sale price in Acton was $496,000. This year, it was $534,900. Year-to-date, however, the median sale price is $480,250, which is down a bit from the $481,475 posted a year ago, according to The Warren Group.a year ago.

"Many recent real estate reports have signaled a strong real estate recovery, and our numbers speak to that rebound," said David Harris, editorial director of The Warren Group, publisher of Banker & Tradesman. "While consumer confidence and strong employment numbers continue to bolster the market, there's concern that higher mortgage rates and increasing home prices could dampen the revitalized market."

Middlesex County has also seen an increase in home sales this year (6,455 compared to 5,945 a year ago) and saw a better July than last year (1,524 this year compared to 1,246 last year).

The median sale price in Middlesex County in July was $454,500, which is an increase from $424,500 a year ago. So far this year, the median sale price has been $422,500 in Middlesex County – compared to $395,000 in 2012.

“The combination of buyers wanting to close and move in before the start of the school year and their concern over increasing interest rates resulted in another positive month in July,” said 2013 Massachusetts Association of REALTORS President Kimberly Allard-Moccia, broker-owner of Century 21 Professionals in Braintree. “Hopefully the activity of the past few months will encourage homeowners who are thinking about selling to put their homes on the market. Buyer demand is there, but the shortage of inventory often prices buyers out of the market.”

Home sales are also on the rise statewide.

“A total of 5,941 single-family homes statewide sold in July, up from 5,014 during the same month last year. This is the best month for sales volume since June 2006, when there were 6,152 sales. It's also the best July since 2005 when 6,672 sales were recorded. So far this year, 27,600 homes have sold in Massachusetts, up 3.5 percent from 26,647 during the same period in 2012,” according to The Warren Group.