By Mike Benbow
Herald Writer
Snohomish County home sales and prices slowed last month, a victim of a sluggish economy made worse by the September terrorist attacks.
There were 735 homes sold in the county in November, a nearly 17 percent drop from the 884 sold during same month last year, according to the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, which represents real estate agents in much of Western Washington. Pending sales dropped by 8.3 percent in comparison to 2000.
The biggest drop was in condominium sales.
Some 84 condos were sold last month in comparison to 112 a year ago, a 25 percent drop. They brought a median price of $149,975 a slight increase over the $147,000 median price in November 2000.
Sales of single-family homes totaled 651 last month, a drop of nearly 16 percent from last year. The median price, meaning half sold for more and half brought less, was $207,500. That compares with a $202,000 median for November of 2000.
The combined median price for homes sold last month was $199,950, up from $194,550 last year.
Homes in the county actually sold faster this year than during November 2000, spending an average of 48 days on the market in comparison to 50.
On Whidbey Island, the combined median was $170,000. On Camano Island, it was $156,200.
While home sales slipped from 2000, a strong year for real estate, agents said Thursday that 2001 is still a very good year.
Lennox Scott, president of John L. Scott Real Estate, said 2001 will the company’s best ever, with sales already surpassing previous records by the third week of November.
Here’s an area rundown on sales:
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