Little relief yet from housing sales slump

The slowdown in property sales in Evanston continued last month.

March sales volume was down slightly less compared to year earlier figures than the volume for January and February. But it was still very low.

The City Clerk’s office reports just 69 properties changed hands in March, down 47 percent from the 130 that sold in March 2007. That compares to year-over-year transaction volume declines of 49 percent in January and 50 percent in February.

The average selling price in March was down 3 percent from March 2007, but — at $530,217 — it was up substantially from the average selling price of $413,052 in February. (January’s average price figure was distorted by the $101 million sale of the Park Evanston apartment tower.)

The following property sales topped the $1 million mark in March:

• A vintage courtyard apartment building at 903-915 Elmwood Ave. sold for $4.1 million.
• The building housing the Margarita European Inn at 1566 Oak Ave. sold for $3.2 million.
• A single-family home at 1431 Judson Ave. sold for $1.195 million.
• A Victorian single-family home at 1423 Hinman Ave. sold for $1.025 million.