The Sarnia-Lambton real estate market hit another record high in terms of volume sales in 2016.
While the number of properties sold was up just 1% at 1,967, the total dollar value reached an unprecedented $456-million, an increase of 11%.
Real Estate Board President Steve Park says the market is very stable.
"You're not seeing a boom and bust idea, you're seeing a very gradual trend in people investing in Sarnia and wanting to live in Sarnia," says Park. "You have the boom and bust where things spike and then go down, Sarnia's seen enough of that. Instead of that we're seeing a more gradual investment in the Sarnia area."
Listings were a concern, down 9% year-to-year.
Park says he's hopeful that will improve in 2017.
"I'm very encouraged with 2017 for that reason, I think more people will decide that it's time to move to a better house, a different house." says Park. "That will allow more inventory to get on the market, and therefore people looking for houses will be able to find them."
Sales in December were quite strong. The number of sales at 95 was 19% better than December 2015 and dollar volume was up 31% at about $20.4-million.
The average sale price last year was $233,000 compared to $218,000 in 2015.
