Maine real estate sales dip, but still beat national figures

February real estate sales in Maine were down by more than 20 percent from last year, but median prices dipped only a slight 2 percent, according to monthly statistics released by the Maine Association of Realtors.

Using data from the Maine Real Estate Information System, the association reported that Maine Realtors sold a total of 555 single-family existing homes in Maine during the month of February. During the same period last year, 698 homes changed hands.

The median sales price for February home sales in Maine was $190,000, a decrease of 2.04 percent from February 2007’s median sales price of $193,950. The median is the price at which half of the homes were sold for more and half sold for less.

Nationwide sales of existing single-family homes fell 22.9 percent in February from last year. The median national sales price decreased 8.7 percent from last year to $193,900, according to the National Association of Realtors.

The Maine Association of Realtors blamed the decline in sales in part on a harsh winter season. In a statement accompanying the figures, John Hatcher of Keller Williams Realty in Portland also cited “negativity in the media and reports that state the market is down without explaining that in many areas while sales are down, the median sales prices have not decreased.”

David Giroux, president of ProRealty in Bangor, said Monday he has seen a soft market in homes priced at $300,000 and above. The market for houses priced below $300,000 was relatively normal this winter, he said. He also attributed slowing sales to the snowy weather.

“We’re optimistic for a really great summer and certainly a great fall,” Giroux said, adding that the construction of Cianbro’s Eastern Manufacturing Facility in Brewer and Hollywood Slots at Bangor have helped the local real estate market.

Median sales price data were listed in the report by county, including these in the Bangor Daily News circulation area:

. Aroostook County Realtors sold a total of 49 single-family existing homes in Maine during the month of February 2007. During February 2008, 59 homes changed hands, an increase of 20.4 percent. The median sales price for February 2008 was $86,000, a decrease of 4.3 percent from February 2007’s median sales price of $89,900.

. Hancock County Realtors sold 98 single-family existing homes in Maine during February 2007. During February 2008, 80 homes changed hands, a decrease of 18.4 percent. The median sales price for February 2008 was $205,000, a decrease of 1.7 percent from February 2007’s median sales price of $208,500.

. Knox County Realtors sold 84 single-family existing homes in Maine during February 2007. During February 2008, 60 homes changed hands, a decrease of 28.6 percent. The median sales price for February 2008 was $241,250, an increase of 11.3 percent from February 2007’s median sales price of $216,750.

. Penobscot County Realtors sold 245 single-family existing homes in Maine during February 2007. During February 2008, 228 homes changed hands, a decrease of 6.9 percent. The median sales price for February 2008 was $134,950, a decrease of 0.4 percent from February 2007’s median sales price of $135,500.

. Piscataquis County Realtors sold 55 single-family existing homes in Maine during February 2007. During February 2008, 29 homes changed hands, a decrease of 47.3 percent. The median sales price for February 2008 was $115,000, an increase of 2.7 percent from February 2007’s median sales price of $112,000.

. Somerset County Realtors sold 74 single-family existing homes in Maine during February 2007. During February 2008, 51 homes changed hands, a decrease of 31.1 percent. The median sales price for February 2008 was $96,500, an increase of 22.5 percent from February 2007’s median sales price of $78,750.

. Waldo County Realtors sold 62 single-family existing homes in Maine during February 2007. During February 2008, 75 homes changed hands, an increase of 21 percent. The median sales price for February 2008 was $170,000, an increase of 5.4 percent from February 2007’s median sales price of $161,250.

. Washington County Realtors sold 15 single-family existing homes in Maine during February 2007. During February 2008, nine homes changed hands, a decrease of 40 percent. The median sales price for February 2008 was $69,900, a decrease of 41.8 percent from February 2007’s median sales price of $120,000.