DOWNERS
GROVE, Ill. – Sales of single-family detached homes in suburban Chicago climbed
27 percent in July 2012 compared to the same period a year ago, according to
statistics released by the Mainstreet Organization of Realtors (MORe).
MORe’s
region – which includes about 200 communities in DuPage, Lake, Will and
suburban Cook counties – experienced notable sales gains last month.
The
momentum is expected to continue as the number of detached homes under contract
in July grew by more than 60 percent in those same communities.
“I
am encouraged to see sales activity remain strong through July,” said Tom
Krettler, co-president of MORe and broker associate at RE/MAX Unlimited
Northwest in Palatine. “If you get showings in this market, in most cases the
offer will come.”
In
addition to price, Krettler says the condition of a home is playing an
increasingly important role in attracting buyers.
“More
people seem to be looking for turn-key homes than fixer-uppers,” he said. “They
are putting their savings into a down payment and don’t have extra money for
improvements.”