October pended home sales up 20 percent in Central Indiana
Best October in F.C. Tucker history for listings sold, buyers represented

INDIANAPOLIS – More than 2,150 Central Indiana homes pended in October, with eight of nine Central Indiana counties reporting increases compared to the same time period last year, according to pended sales statistics compiled by F.C. Tucker Company.

October home sales increased 20.1 percent overall with 2,153 homes pended compared to 1,792 in October 2008. Shelby County posted a 62.1 percent increase, followed by Boone County at 37 percent and Johnson County at 34.6 percent. Year to date, overall pended home sales are down 2.6 percent compared to the same timeframe in 2008.

"Certainly the first homebuyer's tax credit was a big part of the resurgence," said H. James Litten, president of F.C. Tucker Company's Residential Real Estate Services Division, noting that Tucker recently had the best October in the history of the company for listings sold and buyers represented. "We are pleased with the recent extension of the tax credit and expansion to include existing home owners."

Available homes for sale in the nine-county region dropped 15.1 percent in October 2009 with 15,244 homes on the market, 2,712 fewer homes than in October 2008. Three counties experienced above average inventory declines. Hancock County experienced the greatest decrease in inventory at 18.5 percent, followed by Marion County and Madison County, with 17 and 16.8 percent, respectively.

"Less inventory and increased demand brings more consumer confidence to the market," said Litten. "This is the closest we've been to a balanced market in three years."

October housing statistics point to continued opportunities for buyers to take advantage of affordable housing prices across the nine-county Central Indiana region. The average year-to-date sales price for a home in the nine-county area was $138,904, which is 4.5 percent less than the same period last year.

Note: President Obama signed the "Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009" (WHBAA) last Friday. This act extended the first-time homebuyer credit to May 1, 2010, increased the income cap allowing more taxpayers to qualify and created a new incentive for "long-time residents" who purchase a different principal residence. Please check www.talktotucker.com for more information.

# # #

Editor's Note: All statistics were compiled by F.C. Tucker Company from a report drawn from Propertylinx statistics on Nov. 9, 2009. Pending means the sales contract has been signed, but the transaction has not closed. According to the NAR, pending sales typically are finalized within a month or two of signing

With more than $2 billion in annual sales, F.C. Tucker Company is Indiana's largest independently owned comprehensive real estate firm with 46 offices and more than 1,500 sales associates throughout Indiana and select markets in Kentucky. Less than one percent of all real estate firms have the longevity of F.C. Tucker. Founded in 1918, the company's family of businesses includes a full range of real estate services—mortgages, title insurance, relocation services, a full line of insurance products, auctioning and homeowner warranty products. F.C. Tucker has earned a reputation for its exceptional service, experienced sales associates and "Golden Rule" commitment to its clients and employees.

September home sales increased 12 percent overall with 2,160 homes pended compared to 1,929 in September 2008. Madison County posted a 37.5 percent increase, followed by Hendricks County at 29.6 percent and Hancock County at 27.4 percent. Year to date, overall pended home sales are down 5 percent compared to the same timeframe in 2008.

"First-time home buyers continue to drive our local housing recovery, and last month in particular, we noticed a marked increase in open house traffic," said H. James Litten, president of F.C. Tucker Company's Residential Real Estate Services Division. "Low home prices and the tax credit for first-time home buyers make it a great time to buy a house in Central Indiana."

Available homes for sale in the nine-county region dropped 15.7 percent in September 2009 with 15,786 homes on the market, 2,937 fewer homes than in September 2008. Three counties experienced above average inventory declines. Marion County experienced the greatest decrease in inventory at 19.2 percent, followed by Hancock County and Madison County, with 17.9 and 14.5 percent, respectively.

September housing statistics point to continued opportunities for buyers to take advantage of slightly lower housing prices across the nine-county Central Indiana region. The average year-to-date sales price for a home in the nine-county area was $138,815, which is 5 percent less than the same period last year.

Realtors remind consumers that the deadline to qualify for the federal first-time home buyer tax credit is November 30. That means buyers have to agree to terms soon to get deals closed by the deadline. For additional information, visit www.fctucker.com.

# # #

Editor’s Note: All statistics were compiled by F.C. Tucker Company from a report drawn from Propertylinx statistics on Oct. 7, 2009. Pending means the sales contract has been signed, but the transaction has not closed. According to the NAR, pending sales typically are finalized within a month or two of signing.

With more than $2 billion in annual sales, F.C. Tucker Company is Indiana's largest independently owned comprehensive real estate firm with 46 offices and more than 1,500 sales associates throughout Indiana and select markets in Kentucky. Less than one percent of all real estate firms have the longevity of F.C. Tucker. Founded in 1918, the company's family of businesses includes a full range of real estate services—mortgages, title insurance, relocation services, a full line of insurance products, auctioning and homeowner warranty products. F.C. Tucker has earned a reputation for its exceptional service, experienced sales associates and "Golden Rule" commitment to its clients and employees.

With more than $2 billion in annual sales, F.C. Tucker Company is Indiana's largest independently owned comprehensive real estate firm with 46 offices and more than 1,500 sales associates throughout Indiana and select markets in Kentucky. Less than one percent of all real estate firms have the longevity of F.C. Tucker. Founded in 1918, the company's family of businesses includes a full range of real estate services—mortgages, title insurance, relocation services, a full line of insurance products, auctioning and homeowner warranty products. F.C. Tucker has earned a reputation for its exceptional service, experienced sales associates and "Golden Rule" commitment to its clients and employees.

August pended home sales in the nine-county area were down only 0.1 percent overall with 2,213 homes pended compared to 2,216 in August 2008. Johnson County posted a 17.8 percent increase, followed by Hancock County at 15.4 percent and Marion and Hamilton counties with 5.9 percent and 0.9 percent increase, respectively. Year to date, overall pended home sales are down 7.5 percent compared to the same timeframe in 2008.

Available homes for sale in the nine-county region dropped 16.3 percent in August 2009 with 16,068 homes on the market, 3,130 fewer homes than in August 2008. Two counties experienced above average inventory declines. Marion County experienced the greatest decrease in inventory at 20.0 percent, followed by Hancock County with 18.6

August housing statistics point to continued opportunities for buyers to take advantage of slightly lower housing prices across the nine-county Central Indiana region. The average year-to-date sales price for a home in the nine-county area was $138,748, 5.5 percent less than the same period last year.

"August home sales, virtually the same as last year, reflect the positive and steady rebound of the local real estate market," said H. James Litten, president of F.C. Tucker Company's Residential Real Estate Services Division. "Attractive home prices, low interest rates and a first-time home buyer credit have made housing more affordable than it has been in the last two decades."

# # #

Editor’s Note: All statistics were compiled by F.C. Tucker Company from a report drawn from Propertylinx statistics on September 9, 2009. Pending means the sales contract has been signed, but the transaction has not closed. According to the NAR, pending sales typically are finalized within a month or two of signing.

With more than $2 billion in annual sales, F.C. Tucker Company is Indiana's largest independently owned comprehensive real estate firm with 46 offices and more than 1,500 sales associates throughout Indiana and select markets in Kentucky. Less than one percent of all real estate firms have the longevity of F.C. Tucker. Founded in 1918, the company's family of businesses includes a full range of real estate services—mortgages, title insurance, relocation services, a full line of insurance products, auctioning and homeowner warranty products. F.C. Tucker has earned a reputation for its exceptional service, experienced sales associates and "Golden Rule" commitment to its clients and employees.