Tampa Bay home sales up 2.3% in first quarter 2012

A review of Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco home sales for the period January thru March show 9145 sales in 2012 vs. 8938 in 2011. This is a 2.3% increase. Encouraging signs show up as unit sales have increased each month from 2627in January to 3462 in March. March saw a 4.1% increase over 2011, the best showing of any month in the quarter. There is a general feeling among agents in the market that 2012 will be a better year, home prices will stabilize, and perhaps begin heading back up at moderate rates. This is a good time to buy with such good mortgage rates along with attractive home prices.