September new-home sales for the Baltimore metropolitan area increased a modest 1.6 percent over August's numbers.

According to Myers Housing Data Reports, a publication that tracks new-home construction, the region had 802 sales, compared with 789 in August. However, sales dropped 2 percent when compared with September 1997.

Overall, sales for this year are up 22.2 percent over 1997.

For single-family homes, every jurisdiction -- except Baltimore County, which decreased 5 percent -- was up in September when compared with August. Sales overall climbed 4.4 percent, with Carroll County increasing the most with a 31.2 percent gain.

Townhouse sales were unchanged from August to September.

However, Baltimore County saw a 29.2 percent increase in condominium sales from August to September, and Anne Arundel County had a 16.6 percent rise.

Pub Date: 11/08/98