Birmingham area home sales up 14% in February

Birmingham area home sales picked up in February, as the traditional buying time in the real estate industry approaches.

The Birmingham Association of Realtors said 645 homes sold last month, a 14 percent increase over January, but an 11 percent decrease over the same month last year, according to data from the Birmingham Multiple Listing Service.

Alabama home sales increased 4 percent in January. February numbers have not been released yet.

Average price in February declined 13 percent to $149,204, compared to last year, but median price increased by 1 percent to $131,900. Without foreclosure sales data included, the association said average price would have been $196,703, a 15 percent decrease from $230,983 last year.

Inventory remained flat year-over-year and totaled 10,500 homes on the market by the end of the month.

Year-to-date sales were down 6 percent compared to the first two months of last year, while average price decreased 4 percent and median price remained unchanged.

The southern portion of the metro area saw the most activity last month, with 261 homes sold. That was followed by the eastern portion with 211 sales, the western portion with 132 sales and the northern portion with 41 sales.