The housing market was steady in December, but 2015 was a good year overall for the market compared with the previous year.

There were 25 homes sold last month compared with 24 homes in December 2014, according to data provided by the Mansfield Association of Realtors.

“I’ve had the best December ever,” said Melissa Viers, a realtor for Haring Realty, and who operates in Crawford, Richland and Morrow counties.

The total dollar volume for December 2015 was $2,599,800 compared with $2,149,700 in the same month of 2014. The average price last month was $102,392 – an increase of $12,821 from December 2014. The average days for a home to be on the market declined to 125 days last month from 184 days in December 2014.

While the market was steady in December, year-to-date housing sales in 2015 saw a nearly 20 percent increase from the previous year.

“I’ve had the best year in 2015,” Viers said. “Better than I had in the past.”

The total dollar volume for 2015 was $27,061,825 compared with $19,705,566 in 2014. Average housing prices jumped to $179, 442 in 2015 from $159,237 in 2014.

Viers said there are fewer foreclosures and therefore bank-owned properties, which is why the average price will go up. Home prices have also increased, she said.

Homes are also going off the market quicker with the average at 288 days in 2015, down from 350 days in 2014.

Out of five local school districts in Crawford County, Galion had the most homes sold in 2015 at 130 dwellings (up from 117 in 2014), but Bucyrus’ housing sales had a greater spike with 101 homes sold in 2015 compared with 61 in 2014 – a nearly 66 percent increase. Crestline sold 45 homes, followed by Colonel Crawford (35) and Wynford (19).

Galion was also the district with the largest total dollar volume that was $9,025,383 in 2015 compared with $6,869,570 in 2014.

The Colonel Crawford school district maintained its spot as the area with the highest average prices for dwellings. The average price for homes was $572, 058 in 2015 compared with $223, 577 in 2014.

Wynford was the only school district that saw an increase in the average number of days for dwellings to be on the market. Homes in that area were on the market for 287 days in 2015, up from 175 days in 2014.

Viers said there’s low inventory and encourages home owners to list their homes for sell in the winter time, when there is less competition and demand.

There are a few homes for sell on Grove Avenue in Galion in January. The housing market improved in 2015 compared with the previous year, according to data provided by the Mansfield Association of Realtors.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2016/01/web1_DSC_0184.jpgThere are a few homes for sell on Grove Avenue in Galion in January. The housing market improved in 2015 compared with the previous year, according to data provided by the Mansfield Association of Realtors. Brandon Klein | Galion Inquirer

Housing sales in Crawford County improved in 2015 compared with the previous year. Out of five local school districts in Crawford County, Galion had the most homes sold in 2015 at 130 dwellings (up from 117 in 2014), but Bucyrus’ housing sales had a greater spike with 101 homes sold in 2015 compared with 61 in 2014 – a nearly 66 percent increase. Crestline sold 45 homes, followed by Colonel Crawford (35) and Wynford (19). Source: Mansfield Association of Realtors
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2016/01/web1_Housing.jpgHousing sales in Crawford County improved in 2015 compared with the previous year. Out of five local school districts in Crawford County, Galion had the most homes sold in 2015 at 130 dwellings (up from 117 in 2014), but Bucyrus’ housing sales had a greater spike with 101 homes sold in 2015 compared with 61 in 2014 – a nearly 66 percent increase. Crestline sold 45 homes, followed by Colonel Crawford (35) and Wynford (19). Source: Mansfield Association of Realtors Brandon Klein | Galion Inquirer

By Brandon Klein

[email protected]

2015 Housing Market

Total sales: 343

Total dollar volume: $27,061,825

Average price: $179,442

Average days on market: 288

Galion

Total sales: 130

Total dollar volume: $9,025,383

Average price: $152,126

Average days on market: 267

Bucyrus

Total sales: 101

Total dollar volume: $7,628,745

Average price: $150,681

Average days on market: 350

Colonel Crawford

Total sales: 35

Total dollar volume: $4,617,900

Average price: $572,058

Average days on market: 243

Crestline

Total sales: 45

Total dollar volume: $2,356,904

Average price: $85,010

Average days on market: 255

Wynford

Total sales: 19

Total dollar volume: $2,285,845

Average price: $217,658

Average days on market: 287

Source: Mansfield Association of Realtors

Reach Klein at 419-468-1117, ext. 2048 or on Twitter at @brandoneklein.