Home sales rise against Gustav effect

• Advocate business staff
• Published: Nov 18, 2009 - UPDATED: 1:23 p.m.

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The Baton Rouge area saw 555 homes sold in October, up from 532 that month the year before, though the gain likely stemmed from depressed 2008 numbers related to Hurricane Gustav.

For the year, for example, there have been 5,799 homes sold, down 10 percent from the 6,462 sold in the first 10 months of 2008. The valuation of homes sold during this period is down 15 percent to $1.12 billion.

Despite the increase in the number of homes sold in October, the total valuation fell. Valuation was $103.9 million in October, down slightly from $104.6 million that month in 2008.

The figures come from the Greater Baton Rouge Association of Realtors’ Multiple Listings Service.