Florida pre-owned home sales jumped 18 percent in April 2009 with a total of 13,111 homes sold statewide compared to 11,133 homes sold the same time last year. April’s statewide existing home sales were slightly higher than statewide activity in March but in Hernando County sales are up over 30% from last month.

Fourteen of Florida’s metropolitan areas reported increased existing-home sales in April and 11 areas also showed gains in condo sales including Hernando County Tampa Bay Area. A majority of the state’s metropolitan areas have reported increased sales for nearly a full year.

The average sales price for pre-owned homes last month was $138,500; a year ago, it was $199,500 for a 31 percent decline in sales value. Housing experts with the National Association of Realtors® see a significant downward affect of the average price due to heavily discounted sales, due to a vast number of foreclosures.