Brunswick County’s residential real estate sales totaled $1.2 billion in 2017, crossing the billion-dollar threshold for the first time since 2005, according to a news release Tuesday from the Brunswick County Association of Realtors.

Last year's sales figure represents a 32 percent increase over 2016. The number of units sold in 2017 jumped 23 percent over the previous year, increasing from 3,746 to 4,613, the release stated. The average sales price increased 8.5 percent, from $243,610 to $261,925.
 
“Brunswick County’s residential real estate market demonstrated strong, steady growth throughout 2017, with total sales volume exceeding $1 billion for the first time since the recession,” said BCAR CEO Cynthia Walsh in the release. “We are in strong shape heading into 2018, and we anticipate continued strong, steady growth.”
 
With more than 1,000 properties sold, the Leland area remained the county’s biggest selling market in 2017, according to the release, with a sales volume totaling $266 million. Southport followed with slightly more than 500 properties sold and a total sales volume of $154 million, the release said.
 
Residential sales in December increased 3.8 percent compared to the December 2016, from 344 to 357. The average sales price went from $248,000 this December compared to $264,923 last year, according to the release, and total sales increased from $85.16 to $94.58 million, an 11 percent jump.