Mountain home sales figures in 2012 give some hope to homeowners and Realtors alike. We sold 524 mountain area homes through our area Multiple Listing Service in 2012 compared to 480 in 2011. That was the highest number of yearly homes sales in the past six years.

The median purchase price for the full year was up just 1% from $175,000 to $177,000, but prices trended upward throughout the year.

Prices for the last half of the year were up 5%, prices for the last quarter were up 16% and prices for December were up 22%.

Average number of days on the market was 127 for 2012, down slightly from 137 in 2011.

Some buyers are first time home buyers, some are second home or vacation home buyers, and others are investment buyers for rental properties. The industry currently has an active market in all three categories.

The market is currently very good for buyers, and is improving for sellers.