Home sales jump in June

Fifty-six homes sold in Carson Valley in June, up 27 percent from the same month last year, according to a report released by CalNeva Realty.

In fact, June's sales numbers were the highest of any month in the Valley over the last two years.

Since a low of 19 homes sold in January of this year, the market has steadily picked up. Twenty-six homes were sold in February, 39 in March, 38 in April and 42 in May.

However, median home prices remain low. From the market's peak of $432,000 in September 2005, prices have fallen more than 40 percent to a low of $229,000 in January of this year. June saw a slightly higher value at $244,000.

Since last year, inventory has also dropped. In August 2008, there were 653 homes on the market or in escrow. In June of this year there were 559.

Although last month saw a jump in sales, the report's annual numbers show the Valley's real estate market is still far from where it was five years ago.

In 2004, 1,164 homes sold in Carson Valley. By the end of 2008, that number had dropped to 459. So far this year, 224 homes have sold in the area.