April had the second-best real estate sales numbers for the year so far, as the region continues to record much better sales figures compared to a year ago, according to the latest High Country Real Estate Report.

The report is compiled by the High Country Association of Realtors, which represents real estate professionals in Ashe, Avery and Watauga counties.

There were 88 realtor-assisted property sales last month worth $22.51 million, as recorded by the High Country Multiple Listing Service. Those numbers are up 37 percent and 46 percent, respectively, compared to April 2011.

On a month-to-month comparison, the figures were down slightly from March, when 112 properties sold for $30.13 million. Yet the year-to-year growth confirms that the local market is recovering.

“The current stats are encouraging and we are optimistic about the upcoming months,” said Laurie Phillips, executive officer of High Country Association of Realtors. “This is the time of year when our realtors are busy assisting buyers and sellers with housing changes due to new jobs, college graduations and of course second home buyers seeking that cool mountain air!”

The median sold price for April was $213,375, up 7.5 percent from March. There were 26 sales for more than $300,000, including two for more than $1 million. There were just 12 properties sold for less than $100,000.

April is traditionally a time when new property is put on the market, and this year is no different. There were 426 new listings last month, a 27 percent increase over March (334) and almost as many as added in January and February combined (442).

The increased supply combined with a slight drop in month-to-month sales resulted in a year-high number of days property spent on the market – 281.

Meanwhile, it appears the High Country is keeping pace with the national growth curve in real estate. March sales in the region were a six-month high, culminating in the best first quarter since 2010. Similar trends were seen nationally, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

“First quarter sales closings were the highest first quarter sales in five years, said Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist. “The latest contract signing activity suggests the second quarter will be equally good.”

According to NAR, pending home sales increased in March and were above a year ago. The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, rose 4.1 percent to 101.4 in March. The data reflects contracts but not closings. Yet the index is now at its highest level since April 2010 when it reached 111.3.

The High Country real estate market had its best first quarter in five years this year, continuing steady growth after what appears to have been a bottoming out in 2010.

From January to the end of March, there were 234 realtor-assisted properties sold in Avery, Ashe and Watauga counties. Total sales were $61.25 million, as recorded by the High Country Multiple Listing Service (MLS).

Those numbers are 27 percent higher than the same three months last year, and more than 60 percent higher than 2010.

While sales increased month-to-month, the number of new listings also rose. That indicates 2012 is seeing increases in both demand and supply in the housing market. That’s further evidence the local real estate market is growing stronger.

“As the number of listings in our area have increased, many sellers are realizing that now is the time to work with a local realtor and begin the process of getting their home ready for the spring market,” said Laurie Phillips, executive officer of the 600-member High Country Association of Realtors. “We are seeing some positive signs that the market has bottomed out and we are now experiencing slow, but definite gains in our area.”

According to MLS stats:

- First quarter regional sales peaked in 2007, with 363 properties sold for $96.69 million. They then declined for three straight years.

- The 2010 first quarter was a possible bottom, with just 146 properties sold. Total sales were $37.17 million.

- Since 2010, first quarter property sales have increased steadily.

On the supply side, there were 776 new listings in the first quarter. That’s a 14 percent decrease from this time last year (907) and 5 percent decrease from 2010 (814).

One other notable stat from the 2012 first quarter – sales of both high and low priced listings continue to increase.

So far this year, 59 properties have sold for more than $300,000, the most since 98 were sold in 2008. On the other end, 35 properties have sold for less than $100,000, the most since 46 were sold in 2007.

Yet the average price a property sold remains relatively steady. It’s actually down this quarter to $261,735, from $261,882 in 2011. In 2007 the average selling price was $266,373.

Nationally, the housing market continues slow growth. According to the National Association of Realtors, existing-home sales dipped in March but continued to outpace 2011 levels. At the same time, inventory tightened and home prices showed further signs of stabilizing.

Local real estate sales hit a six-month high in March, with many metrics reflecting continued strength in the High Country housing market, according to the monthly real estate report by the High Country Association of Realtors.

There were 112 sales in March, as recorded by the High Country Multiple Listing Service. It records realtor-assisted transactions in Ashe, Avery and Watauga counties.

The March figure is the highest since September 2011, when 122 listings were sold. It’s also a 60 percent increase over listings sold year-to-year (70 in March 2011), and a 72 percent increase month-to-month (65 sold in February 2012).

The average price of a home sold also increased for the third straight month, up 5 percent since January to $268,979.

“The numbers are certainly encouraging, and springtime in the High Country is always a busy time for our professional Realtors,” said Laurie Phillips, executive officer of the 600-member High Country Association of Realtors.

While the average selling price increased, the median sold price dipped to $199,900, the first time it’s gone below $200,000 since October of last year. This reflects the diversity of property sold in the month, with almost as many below $100,000 listings sold (18) as plus- $300,000 (22).

Overall, there were $30.13 million in realtor-assisted sales for the month, the most since $32.4 million was sold last September.

The number of new listings also grew in March, with 334 added. That’s a 30 percent increase over February, which recorded 257 new listings. Yet sales sped up, with the average days on market metric falling 8 percent to 255.

These local trends continue to mirror national statistics. A consensus is beginning to form that 2012 could be the year housing begins rebounding four years after it crashed. Pending home sales are above 2011 levels, as are existing-home sales.

“The spring home buying season looks bright because of an elevated level of contract offers so far this year,” said Lawrence Yun, chief economist with the National Association of Realtors. “If activity is sustained near present levels, existing-home sales will see their best performance in five years.”

The High Country Association of Realtors will release a report on first quarter sales later this month.

The High Country real estate market continues to see modest growth, with home sales increasing while time houses sit on the market decreasing. That’s according to the monthly real estate report by the High Country Association of Realtors, which monitors sales activity in Ashe, Avery and Watauga counties.

There were 65 homes sold in February, a 12 percent increase over sales during the same month last year. It’s also a month-to-month increase over January, when 55 were sold.

“Traditionally the first few months of the year are the slowest,” said Laurie Phillips, executive officer of the 600-member High Country Association of Realtors. “This year’s mild winter may have played a major part in the market increase from last year’s numbers.”

“We are optimistic that these numbers suggest 2012 may be stronger than last year,” she said.

The median price of a home sold in February was $235,000, a 30 percent increase over that time a year ago. The median price in February 2011 was $180,950.

So far in 2012, 120 homes have been purchased in the High Country area. That’s a slight increase from the same two-month period last year, when 113 homes were sold.

More striking is the reduction in average days a home has spent on the market. This time last year that figure was 306 days. It was 254 days the past two months.

Now’s the time to invest in the High Country. With the weather warming, new treasures can be enjoyed.