Home sales are up in RI, prices down

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - There is some positive economic news for Rhode Island homeowners, as the housing market is looking up in the Ocean State.

According to the Rhode Island Association of Realtors, home sales saw an increase in June, and the median price of a house fell by just two-percent from last year.

The monthly report says houses are averaging at $215,000, down from $220,000 in June 2010, but 15 percent higher than in March, when houses were selling for an average of $186,250.

The organization says there were 699 single-family homes sold in June, up 16-percent from May, but down 22-percent from June 2010.

The Realtors' association also reported that the number of houses available for sale was at a high of 6,658, up more than nine-percent from the same period a year ago.