Florida home sales, prices up in 3rd quarter

Florida home sales, prices up in 3rd quarter: "ORLANDO, Fla. -- Nov. 15, 2005 -- Sales of existing single-family homes in Florida rose during third quarter 2005 along with the statewide median price: a total of 64,978 homes changed hands during the three-month period for a 7 percent increase over the 60,462 homes sold in third quarter 2004, according to the Florida Association of Realtors? (FAR). The impact of four hurricanes that struck Florida during the third quarter of last year continues to be a factor in the comparison of statewide sales of single-family existing homes for third quarter 2005.

The statewide median sales price for third quarter 2005 rose 31 percent to $248,600; a year ago, it was $189,900. For third quarter 2000, the statewide median sales price of existing single-family homes was $119,700, which translates as an increase of about 107.6 percent over the five-year period. The median is a typical market price where half of the units sold for more and half sold for less."