"This is a modest increase in single-family home sales but the fact that sales have improved for two months straight after declining steadily for the first half of the year, is a hopeful sign," said Timothy M. Warren Jr., CEO of The Warren Group, publisher of Banker & Tradesman.

 

"However, unemployment, mortgage delinquencies and foreclosures remain a challenge to a quick housing recovery."

 

Single-family home sales totaled 4,480 in August, up from 4,390 in August 2008. Year-to-date home sales fell 5 percent to 25,984 from 27,364 last year. The 2 percent gain in August sales follows an 11 percent increase in July home sales.
 

Meanwhile, home prices slid. The median selling price for a single-family home dropped 6.2 percent to $302,625 in August from $322,500 during the same month last year. This is the third straight month that median home prices have exceeded $300,000. Berkshire, Dukes and Suffolk counties were the only regions in the state where median home prices jumped in August compared to a year earlier.

 

Monthly median home prices statewide have tumbled compared to year-ago levels since October 2007 or for 23 consecutive months. So far this year, the median home price is off 10.4 percent from a year ago, falling to $285,000 from $318,000. 
 

"Median home prices are about 21 percent lower than they were four years ago when prices in Massachusetts peaked. The market has a way to go before prices begin to stabilize," Warren added.

 

Sales of Bay State condominiums slipped 8.3 percent to 2,114 from 2,306 last August. A total of 11,762 condo sales were recorded from January through August, an 18.2 percent decline from 14,371 a year earlier.

 

The median condo price dipped 6.8 percent to $275,000 from $295,000. The year-to-date median condo price is off 8.2 percent to $257,000 from $280,000.

"The condominium market hasn't experienced any gains in monthly sales for over two years, and condo prices have fallen sharply. But in the last two months, declines in both sales and prices eased a bit," said Warren.

 

Frigidaire, a division of Electrolux Home Products Inc., of Augusta, Ga, in cooperation with the CPSC has voluntarily recalled the following product. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.
 
Name of Product: Certain Frigidaire and Kenmore Elite Smoothtop Electric Ranges
 
Units: About 200,000
 
Hazard: Depending on the model, the surface heating elements can: 1) turn on spontaneously without being switched on; 2) fail to turn off after being switched off; or, 3) heat to different temperatures than selected. This poses a fire and burn hazard to consumers.
 
Incidents/Injuries: Frigidaire has received 126 reports of incidents, including four reports of minor burns and two reports of minor property damage.
 
Description: This recall involves Frigidaire, Frigidaire Gallery, Frigidaire Professional and Kenmore Elite smoothtop electric ranges with rotary knobs and digital displays. The following model and serial numbers are included in the recall:
 
Frigidaire (Serial Number Range VF122xxxxx - VF831xxxxx) and Models Beginning with
 
Model Numbers: 790.30472400, 790.30473400, 790.30473401, 790.30474400, 790.30479400
 
Serial Number Range: NF401xxxxx through NF610xxxxx
 
Kenmore Elite (Serial Number Range VF122xxxxx - VF334xxxxx) and Models Beginning with
790.99012 790.99013 790.99014 790.99019
 
The model and serial number can be found by opening the range drawer at the base of the unit.
 
Sold at: Sears and other national chain and independent retailers nationwide from June 2001 through August 2009 for between $1,000 and $2,500.
 
Manufactured in: United States
 
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled ranges immediately and contact Frigidaire or Sears to schedule a free repair.
 
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Frigidaire at (800) 449-9812 between 8 a.m. and midnight ET Monday through Saturday or visit the firm's recall Web site at www.smoothtoprangerecall.com. Consumers who purchased their products at Sears should call Sears at (800) 449-9810 between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday.

 

• Evaluations of Structures
• New Construction of All Kinds
• Expert Witness