Listed below are the statics for entire Carolina Multiple Listing Service area for single-family residential sales for the period June 6, 2009 through July 5, 2009:

Closings: 2,024; avg. LP $244,316; avg. SP $218,728; %LP/SP 89.53%

New Listings: 4,551; avg. price $284,719

Under Contract: 2,167; avg. price $232,266

Withdrawn: 1,473; avg. price $357,092

Expired Listings: 1,475; avg. price $344,633

Active Listings: 28,291; avg. price $322,644

Closing transactions increased 5.9% for the month of June compared to May, but remain 25% below the level for the same period a year ago. The average listing price also was up 9.3% and average sales price increased 9.8% compared to May. However, the average sales price was down 6.4% compared to June, 2008. The total sales are still down in the Charlotte market, but our housing prices are doing better than other areas of the country.

New listings decreased 10.4% for the month and average listing price was down 1.4% compared to May. Homes under contract decreased 7.8%, while withdrawn listings decreased 11.4%. Expired listings decreased 1.3% and the average listing price for those expired listings increased 6.5% over May.

Overall, it appears that perhaps the Charlotte housing market is showing signs of growth and confidence. Closings are increasing steadily each month, and sellers are leaving homes on the market indicating confidence that the market is strengthening and that prices are stabilizing.

Chuck Webb, Wilkinson & Associates, www.ChuckWebb.net