The Reno/Sparks Association of REALTORS® (RSAR) released its 2009 year-end, fourth quarter and December report for existing home sales in Washoe County, including median sales price and number of home sales in the region. RSAR obtains its information from the Northern Nevada Regional Multiple Listing Service (www.nnrmls.com) and includes sales of bank-owned (foreclosure) properties.

In 2009, Washoe County had 5,231 sales of existing single family homes; an increase of 45 percent from 2008. The median sales price for existing single family homes in Washoe County in 2009 was $185,000; a decrease of 26 percent from the previous year. All sales numbers are for existing “stick built single family dwellings” only and do not include condominium, townhome, manufactured, modular or new home sales. The median sales price of existing condominium/townhomes in Washoe County in 2009 was $78,950; down 47 percent from 2008.

During the fourth quarter of 2009, Washoe County experienced 1,436 sales of existing single family homes; an increase of 57 percent from the fourth quarter of 2008 and a 5 percent decrease from the third quarter of 2009. The median sales price of existing single family homes in Washoe County in the fourth quarter of 2009 was $180,000; a decrease of 19 percent from the fourth quarter of the previous year and a slight 2 percent decrease from the third quarter of 2009. All sales numbers are for existing “stick built single family dwellings” only and do not include condominium, townhome, manufactured, modular or new home sales. The median sales price of existing condominium/townhomes in Washoe County during the fourth quarter of 2009 was $65,000; down 38 percent from the previous year.

During December 2009, the report showed Washoe County had 416 sales of existing single-family homes; an increase of 41 percent from December 2008 and an 8 percent decrease from November 2009. The report listed the median sales price for an existing single family residence in Washoe County in December 2009 at $179,500; an 18 percent decrease from last year and a 3 percent increase from the previous month. All sales numbers are for existing “stick built single family dwellings” only and do not include condominium, townhome, manufactured, modular or new home sales. The median sales price of existing condominium/townhomes in Washoe County in December 2009 was $50,950; down 50 percent from December 2008.

The report showed Reno (including North Valleys) had 3,515 sales of existing single family homes in 2009; an increase of 42 percent from the previous year. The median sales price for existing single family homes in Reno during 2009 was 189,900; a decrease of 27 percent from 2008. All sales numbers are for existing “stick built single family dwellings” only and do not include condominium, townhome, manufactured, modular or new home sales. The median sales price of existing condominium/townhomes in Reno in 2009 was $72,250; down 51 percent from the previous year.

In Reno (including North Valleys), there were 979 sales of existing single family homes during the fourth quarter of 2009; an increase of 61 percent from the fourth quarter of 2008 and a 6 percent decrease from the previous quarter. The median sales price of existing single family homes in Reno during the fourth quarter of 2009 was 185,000; a decrease of 21 percent from the fourth quarter of 2008 and a slight 3 percent decrease from the third quarter of 2009. All sales numbers are for existing “stick built single family dwellings” only and do not include condominium, townhome, manufactured, modular or new home sales. The median sales price of existing condominium/townhomes in Reno during the fourth quarter of 2009 was $61,000; down 37 percent from the fourth quarter of 2008.

The report indicated that Reno (including North Valleys) had 265 sales of existing single family homes during December 2009; an increase of 43 percent from last year and a 12 percent decrease from November 2009. The median sales price in Reno for an existing single family residence in December 2009 was $180,000; a decrease of 22 percent from December 2008 and a slight 2 percent decrease from the previous month. All sales numbers are for existing “stick built single family dwellings” only and do not include condominium, townhome, manufactured, modular or new home sales. The existing condominium/townhome median sales price for December 2009 in Reno was $43,400; down 51 percent from last year.

Sparks (including Spanish Springs) experienced 1,638 sales of existing single family homes in 2009; an increase of 53 percent from 2008. The median sales price for existing single family homes in Sparks during 2009 was 175,000; a decrease of 26 percent from 2008. All sales numbers are for existing “stick built single family dwellings” only and do not include condominium, townhome, manufactured, modular or new home sales. The median sales price of existing condominium/townhomes in Sparks in 2009 was $75,000; down 45 percent from 2008.

During the fourth quarter of 2009, Sparks (including Spanish Springs) experienced 441 sales of existing single family homes; an increase of 48 percent from the fourth quarter of 2008 and a slight 2 percent decrease from the third quarter of 2009. The median sales price of existing single family homes in Sparks in the fourth quarter of 2009 was 170,000; a decrease of 21 percent from the fourth quarter of the previous year and no change from the third quarter of 2009. All sales numbers are for existing “stick built single family dwellings” only and do not include condominium, townhome, manufactured, modular or new home sales. The median sales price of existing condominium/townhomes in Sparks during the fourth quarter of 2009 was $70,000; down 33 percent from the previous year.

Sparks (including Spanish Springs) experienced 144 sales of existing single family homes in December 2009; an increase of 41 percent from December 2008 and less than a 1 percent decrease from the previous month. The Sparks’ median sales price for an existing single family residence in December 2009 was $175,000; a 17 percent drop from last year and an increase of 3 percent from November 2009. All sales numbers are for existing “stick built single family dwellings” only and do not include condominium, townhome, manufactured, modular or new home sales. The existing condominium/townhome median sales price for December 2009 in Sparks was $65,000; down 45 percent from last year.

In Fernley, there was 579 sales of existing single family homes in 2009; an increase of 69 percent from the previous year. The median sales price for existing single family homes in Fernley during 2009 was 109,900; a decrease of 34 percent from 2008. All sales numbers are for existing “stick built single family dwellings” only and do not include condominium, townhome, manufactured, modular or new home sales.

Fernley experienced 167 sales of existing single family homes during the fourth quarter of 2009; an increase of 78 percent from the fourth quarter of 2008 and a 10 percent increase from the previous quarter. The median sales price of existing single family homes in Fernley during the fourth quarter of 2009 was 104,000; a decrease of 29 percent from the fourth quarter of 2008 and less than a 1 percent decrease from the third quarter of 2009. All sales numbers are for existing “stick built single family dwellings” only and do not include condominium, townhome, manufactured, modular or new home sales.

The December 2009 report showed Fernley had 54 sales of existing single family homes; an increase of 69 percent from last year and a 10 percent increase from November 2009. The median sales price in Fernley for an existing single family residence in December 2009 was $100,500; a decrease of 28 percent from December 2008 and a 12 percent increase from last month. All sales numbers are for existing “stick built single family dwellings” only and do not include condominium, townhome, manufactured, modular or new home sales.

“Turning the corner on the new year calls for a cautious celebration,” said Ken Amundson, 2010 president of Reno/Sparks Association of REALTORS and managing broker of Coldwell Banker Select Real Estate’s Sparks office. “There were many positive signs that we can point to including the fact that more people purchased homes in 2009 in every quarter than the previous year and median home prices have remained stable for the past seven months. As we move into 2010, we can optimistically look at the fact that the supply of homes is at a five year low, government incentives for first time buyers and move up buyers are available through April, and low interest rates remain in effect.”

The Reno/Sparks Association of REALTORS® is an organization providing services to its members to ensure their success as real estate professionals, as well as protecting and promoting the consumer’s dream of homeownership. For more information visit www.rsar.net.