Statistics from the Traverse Area Association of Realtors show that October sales exceeded October last year, though they mostly fall short of October 2017. There was a total of 355 residential sales for the five counties represented by TAAR, topping last year’s total of 320; October 2017 saw sales of 365 homes, the highest number dating back to 2011. The total dollar volume of $104,783,992 likewise exceeded October 2018 ($86,685,929), though it again came up short compared with the $105,520,594 in residential sales in October 2017.

Grand Traverse County sales exceeded all previous Octobers, with 180 homes sold for a total of $54,215,358. For the same month last year, the totals were 166 sales for $45,749,760, while October 2017 saw 170 sales for $46,992,359. All other counties saw also surpassed last year’s unit totals except Benzie, which had one fewer home sold (39 compared to 40), though its dollar total was still higher this year. While Antrim County’s 50 sales topped the 40 of October 2018, its dollar volume was less: $12,714,915 to $13,058,319. Compared to 2017’s record-setting sales, only Kalkaska County saw more homes sold this year than 2017, 40 to 35; both Benzie County and Kalkaska County surpassed their respective 2017 dollar volumes.