LITTLE ROCK — Home sales in September increased by more than 10 percent, according to a report released Friday by an Arkansas realtor group.
The Arkansas Realtors Association said about 2,100 homes were sold across the state this year compared to 1,900 sold in September 2010 - a 10.28 percent increase.
The top five markets - Pulaski, Benton, Washington, Saline and Faulkner - increased more than 18 percent over September 2010 totals.
Amy Glover Bryant, a spokesman for the realtor group, said she was "cautiously optimistic" about the numbers. They are positive, she said, but they come leading into the winter months, when home-buying traditionally slows.
"I would not say it is a market recovery," Glover Bryant said Friday. "I would say it is a market recovering. Slowly but surely, we're getting our feet in place."
Average statewide prices of new and existing homes were up 0.67 percent in September, but still down 1.86 percent for the year to date.