Wichita Falls home sales increase in Oct.

WICHITA FALLS – In October 2014, 112 existing homes were closed on, up 1.8 percent from 110 in September 2014, but 1.7 percent less than the 114 closed on in October 2013.

Although only two more homes sold in October 2014 compared with September 2014, the total value of homes sold was about $1.8 million more — $13.8 million in October and $12 million in September.

The year-to-year comparison showed a difference of about $700,000, with October 2013 being the better of the two at about $14.5 million in sales.

Total sales in 2014 continue to lag behind 2013’s number by about 5.5 percent, decreasing from 1,199 in 2014 to 1,269 in 2013. The total volume in the first ten months is down about 3 percent for the year with $149.3 million in 2014 compared to $154.3 million during the same time in 2013.

“We say we have a … very challenging market for sellers,” said Denny Bishop, owner of Bishop Realtor Group. “It’s a price war and a beauty contest in the real estate business, and you can’t win (just) one side of it. You have to win both sides of it as a seller.”