WARREN - The local housing market continued its slow improvement in April, posting gains in units sold, median selling price and total days on the market.
The number of units sold in Trumbull County climbed to 165 from 152 in May 2011, while the median selling price improved to $75,000 from $61,750, according to the Youngstown Columbiana Association of Realtors.
Unit sales were the highest since May 2010, when 168 residences were sold. The median selling price was the highest since $76,500 last July.
In addition, houses sold faster, requiring 87 total days on the market in May versus 121 a year ago.
Total units sold for the year through May was 651 compared to 616 in the same period of 2011.
Mahoning County saw its total units sold in May inch up to 189 from 185, putting the year-to-date number at 791 versus 678.
The median sales price matched Trumbull County's at $75,000 compared to $71,000 a year ago. Houses took a total of 89 days on the market before being sold versus 97 last year.
The area's growing natural gas shale business, plus continued strength at the General Motors Co. Lordstown Complex and other industries, along with historically low interest rates, are credited with giving homebuyers more money and confidence to buy.