Home sales in the United States have risen for 12 consecutive months on a year-to-year basis, according to the June RE/MAX National Housing Report. Prices have also inched higher for the last five months in a row, according to the report, which covered 53 metropolitan areas. Transaction volume rose 5 percent in the same period, while sales prices jumped 3.7 percent nationally. Available homes for sale also fell 5 percent from May and 27.4 percent from June 2011, creating what the firm called a “seller’s market” in many areas. “Although the housing market has a long way to go to make a full recovery, all signs now show that it’s on the right path and has improved every month so far this year,” RE/MAX CEO Margaret Kelly said. “This selling season is the best in years.” — Alexander Britell
