Home sales up, prices could follow

By Ash Friedrich

As the debates of whether the recession has ended and where the real estate market is headed continue, Maricopa has seen an upswing in home sales through the first third of this year.

According to Multiple Listing Service, 947 homes sold in January through April 2011, up 11 percent from the 845 sold over the same period last year. The price per square foot of those homes declined 16 percent, however, from $50.98 to $42.82.

Another positive sign is the amount of inventory for sale. There were only 644 homes for sale on April 28, down 31 percent from the 935 homes available on Jan. 27, according to The Cromford Report.