The number of detached homes sold in metro  Albuquerque during July increased from July 2008.The 735 sales  represented the first year over year increase since April 2006. The  improvement wasn’t large, 31 sales or 4.4%, but as is said about athletic  contests, a win is a win. July sales were also up 13.2% from June,  continuing the monthly sales growth that began in February.

The total value of detached homes sold  during July was $165 million, 2.9% lower than during July 2008. Monthly  dollar sales volume during 2009 has been down 20% from the same month of  2008. During July, 94 townhouses and condominiums sold for a total of  $14.5 million. Condo sales were up 36% from July 2008. The value grew 27%.

Pending sales during July, 875, though down  from the 933 sales that were pending during June, were the second highest  this year and up slightly over July 2008.

Homes continue to sell more quickly around  the metro. During July, the average home that sold was on the market for  75 days, the shortest sales period of 2009.