According to the Multiple Listing Service report by the Austin Board of REALTORS®, the volume of Austin area home sales in February 2010 was 1,145, up four percent from the same month in 2009. The median price of real estate in the Austin area remained unchanged in the same time period at $189,500.

These results demonstrate that Austin’s recovery is continuing steadily, said John Horton, Chairman of the Austin Board of REALTORS®. Our area has been identified as one of the first to emerge from the recession and the real estate trends of recent months clearly support this assertion.

According to Forbes Magazine, the Austin area tied for first place on a list of large metropolitan areas where the recession is easing first. Austin’s low unemployment rate and job growth from 2007 to 2009 – just below one percent, which was more than any other city included in the research – were cited as key factors for the ranking.

Mr. Horton continued, It appears we’re beginning to see an impact from this steady improvement, particularly in increases in pending sales and new listings, as well as a decrease in the length of time homes are staying on the market, all of which are indicators of future demand.

View the complete Austin housing market report online.