Central Fla. real estate numbers continue to tick up

ORLANDO, Fla. — Central Florida's real estate market numbers continue their uptick, according to latest figures.

The newest numbers continue to show Central Florida's real estate market making modest steps in the right direction.

Sales and sale prices are on their way up, though just a bit, new numbers show.

The average single-family home is selling for $172,000, up 1.2 percent from a week earlier.

"With an increase in normal sales, you will see an increase in median price, which is what we saw," said Stephen Baker of the Orlando Regional Realtor Association.

It's been happening steadily through the year, right up through mid-August. The inventory remains tight, and sales move quickly, local real estate professionals said.

"You might have three visitors come to your house, and two write an offer on it," said Greg Vazzanna, real estate professional.

Realtors said it's been an encouraging year after a bad stretch.

The majority of homes in the greater Orlando area were still underwater 12 months ago. Now, that number is under 50 percent and falling.

Homeowners who held on are seeing some of their homes' value return.

Many said they are feeling confident enough to step into the market, often selling to buyers with cash.

"What we're seeing is a lot of the lower-end price tiers really being gobbled up right now," Florida Realtors economist Brad O'Connor said.

WFTV