Home sales down in October

WALTHAM – Single-family home sales in Massachusetts dropped 4.1 percent in October from that month a year ago, the Massachusetts Association of Realtors reported. In contrast with the 4,028 homes sold in October 2000, 3,861 single-family homes were sold in October this year. However, that number of homes sold was an increase from the 3,774 sold in September, a 2.3 percent increase. Condominium sales fell even more sharply, from 1,181 in October 2000 to 1,055 in October of this year. Perhaps the rising costs of both homes and condominiums had something to do with lower sales. The average price for a single-family house rose from $282,175 in October 2000 to $310,713 in October this year. For a condo, the average price for one in September 2000 was $174,961, compared with $206,671 in October this year.