By Greg Halbleib

BLOOMINGTON – Home sales in the Bloomington-Normal area continue to trend higher than last year.

McLean County numbers through the end of October from the Bloomington-Normal Association of Realtors show an increase of 3.2 percent more homes sold than at this time in 2015. BNAR President Ed Neaves says the number of homes for sale is almost 10 percent lower than last year.

“Right now is a very good time to sell a home if it’s priced right and in great condition because you have less competition,” said Neaves.

Neaves says when inventory is low, prices usually rise but that has not been the case in Bloomington-Normal. The average sale price for the year is more than $170,000, about $1,100 less than 2015.

Homes have stayed on the market for an average of 74 days this year according to the BNAR figures.

Neaves says home buyers are doing their homework.

“Buyers have searched the market, they’ve searched the internet, they’ve seen the photos,” Neaves said. “They’re very savvy. When they walk into a property that they know is priced properly and is in good condition, they’ll buy it.”