House sales up sharply in county in September

Single-family home sales in Jefferson County jumped dramatically in September, pushed by the $8,000 federal tax credit that is set to end Dec. 1.

The 95 houses sold represented a 44 percent increase over the 66 sold in September 2008. There were 106 houses sold in Jefferson County in September 2007.

"The tax credit is a huge help," said Patrick J. Henry, associate broker and office manager at Christensen RealtyUSA.com, Clayton. "But the thrill of being a homeowner is what motivates people to purchase a home."

He also credited the stability of mortgage rates and mortgage-friendly local lenders for helping the uptick in sales. Mr. Henry, who is the president of the Jefferson-Lewis Board of Realtors, said buyers now are more educated and careful about their decisions.

"I think people look at more homes, do more research and ask more questions," he said. "And that's wise. For some people, a house is their single biggest investment they'll ever make."

During the third quarter of the year — July, August and September — home sales were up compared with the same period last year. There were 255 houses sold in the third quarter of 2009, compared with 228 in 2008 and 192 in the second quarter of 2009.

"I daresay Fort Drum is in there," said Lance M. Evans, executive director of the Jefferson-Lewis Board of Realtors. "The third quarter is usually a better period than the second quarter because people are moving before school starts in September."

Lewis and St. Lawrence counties didn't show such dramatic swings. Lewis County had 53 home sales in the third quarter of 2009, 44 in the third quarter of 2008 and 33 in the second quarter of 2009. St. Lawrence County had 194 in the third quarter of 2009, 195 in 2008 and 166 in the second quarter of 2009.

St. Lawrence County "goes a little bit more even keel," Mr. Evans said.

Challenges in St. Lawrence County included the General Motors plant closure in Massena.

In spite of third-quarter gains in Jefferson and Lewis counties this year, in all three counties year-to-date numbers are off pace.

In Jefferson County, 583 houses had been sold through September, compared with 695 in 2008 and 861 in 2007. In Lewis County, 112 houses were sold through September, down slightly from 122 in 2008 but up from 107 in 2007. In St. Lawrence County, 470 houses were sold through September, down from 495 in 2008 and 574 in 2007.

For homeowners still working on a purchase, the tax credit program is quickly running out.

"There's a big push to get it closed," said Jennifer J. Dindl-Neff of Humes Realty and Appraisal Service, Black River. "The pace has picked up greatly, which is a good thing."

To qualify, a closing must be filed by midnight Dec. 1.

"If you're not under contract by now, it may not happen," Mr. Evans said.

There are bills in the U.S. House and Senate to extend and change the tax credit program, but none has come up for a vote yet.