INDIANAPOLIS — Today, Friday, Oct. 9, Indiana realtors released statewide housing data that indicates an upswing in sales, prices and new listings. According to the latest Indiana Real Estate Markets report, August, 2015, surpassed August, 2014, across the board.

“The continuation of the Federal Reserve’s low-rate policy means mortgage rates will remain attractive to buyers,” said Bruce Bright, 2015 president of the Indiana Association of Realtors. “By keeping these loan rates down, another surge in home sales and new construction could be likely. More homebuilding can counteract the reductions in home inventories seen across the state. A fundamentally sound real estate market is essential to a healthy economy. If interest rates stay low and the job market — particularly wages — remains strong, favorable market conditions should continue into the winter months.”

Per Ron Shipley, Pier 13 Realty, Inc. and director, Kosciusko County Board of Realtors and the Indiana Regional MLS, “Kosciusko County has not experienced the same results as those of the statewide results above. New listings for August were actually 12.2 percent below last year’s performance but closed sales surged by 25 percent higher than the same period for the prior year.

“Year-to-date results for new listings and solds are basically even with last year’s performance, but on a positive note, the median sales price has increased 12 percent. There has been a significant greater number of listings year to date than solds. It is believed consolidation of two major players in the orthopedic industry has created some uncertainty in the minds of prospective buyers. Now is a good time for buyers to be looking for their new home.”