By SUSAN LEATHERS
Brentwood Home Page
Brentwood’s home sales declined 11.6 percent in June over June 2010, but that figure is brighter than the 16 percent decline reported for the entire region served by the Greater Nashville Association of Realtors.

The median price for a Brentwood home that closed last month was $480,970 while the average price was $568,347. That compares to $555,000 and $578,681, respectively, a year ago.

The numbers for Williamson County are encouraging, with an increase of 3.6 percent over the previous month. Still, figures were down 7 percent over June 2010, according to figures released by the Williamson County Association of Realtors. Home sales in both June 2010 and 2011 were higher than those recorded in 2008 and 2009.

“Despite the decline from May of 2011, we are still seeing fairly steady activity,” said Realtor Amy B. Wyatt, who provides Brentwood Home Page with its monthly stats for Brentwood home sales statistics. “As the job market strengthens we will see homeownership steadily increase and a trend of college grads being able to move out on their own.”

Wyatt noted that qualified local buyers and relocation traffic are steadily buying up existing inventory. As far as new home construction is concerned, there are more contract to build homes than spec homes being constructed currently.

Countywide, inventory continues to decline, which is considered a positive sign.

 “Current home sales data for Greater Nashville and Middle Tennessee continue to reflect the challenges affecting the overall economy,” said GNAR president Alice Walker. “The tax credits in place last year continue to make it difficult to accurately compare numbers. But, it is encouraging to see that both closings and pendings remain consistent.

“While prices will change from month to month, the range of fluxuation is within a range that would also indicate general stability – much more than is being experienced in other parts of the country.”