HUDSON VALLEY – Sales of existing single-family homes rose dramatically in the Hudson Valley during the second quarter of 2010 as compared to the same period last year.

The largest gain was in Westchester County where there was a 69 percent hike. Selling prices rose at the same time, going from a median of $565,000 in the second quarter of 2009 to $605,500 during the same timeframe this year.

Sullivan County had the smallest gain in sales from April through June with a six percent increase. Prices there fell from $138,000 last year to $134,000 this year.

The statistics are encouraging, said New York State Association of Realtors spokesman Sal Prividera.

“I think we are off to a very strong start to 2010, certainly an improvement over last year,” he said. “We look for the trend to continue as we go on with the buying condition certainly in the buyer’s favor. Hopefully with continued economic improvement, certainly as we see jobs come back, which we are all hopeful to see over the next six to 12 months, we will see more activity in the market.”

The federal government has extended the closing deadline to receive a tax credit from April 30 to September 30, and that is also helping the condition, said Prividera.

Home Sales percentage change