Existing home sales took off in May, with a 23% rise over April in the number of homes sold in the area according to the Southwestern Michigan Association of Realtors. In Berrien County and the western portions of Cass and Van Buren counties, 297 homes sold last month compared to 242 in April, and the total dollar volume jumped 34% month-to-month. Sales are also higher compared to May 2014 by 11% and year-to-date by 10%. Selling prices are holding steady with last year. Southwestern Michigan Association of Realtors executive vice president Gary Walter says they’re still working with a low inventory of homes for sale, and the average selling prices in May this year and last are the highest for that month since 2006 when the market peaked.
