<p>Local home sales continue to be on the rise, and real estate agents say the number of houses available for sale is low.</p>
<p>Home sales in Johnson County are up in May, compared to last year, and for the year so far.</p>
<p>In May, home sales increased 6 percent, compared to the same time last year. And sales also are up nearly 11 percent for the first five months of 2016, according to a report from Indianapolis real estate company F.C. Tucker Co.</p>
<p>By comparison, home sales are up on average in central Indiana by 3 percent for May, and 7 percent for the year so far, the report said.</p>
<p>But the number of homes for sale is down by 18 percent across central Indiana, and 23 percent in Johnson County for the month of May.</p>
<p>The average sales price also was up by 11 percent in Johnson County, compared to last May. Last month, the average price in Johnson County was $186,173, up from $167,483 last May, the report said.</p>
<p>“May was a busy month for our sales associates, but the demand exists for more homes to be on the market,” Jim Litten, F.C. Tucker Co. chief executive officer, said in a news release. “Our data shows central Indiana has approximately 2.3 months of inventory. Typically, if inventory falls below four months, we know it’s a seller’s market.”</p>[sc:pullout-title pullout-title="At a glance" ][sc:pullout-text-begin]<p>Here is a look at home sales last month, compared to the previous year.</p>
<p>County;May 2015;May 2016;Change</p>
<p>Boone;110;117;6%</p>
<p>Hamilton;596;641;8%</p>
<p>Hancock;113;125;11%</p>
<p>Hendricks;263;254;-3%</p>
<p>Johnson;224;238;6%</p>
<p>Marion;1,221;1,203;-1.5%</p>
<p>Morgan;91;101;11%</p>
<p>Shelby;47;44;-6%</p>
<p>SOURCE: F.C. Tucker Co.</p>[sc:pullout-text-end]
