Areas of the Eastern Shore of Maryland experienced an increase in home sales in October, according to Long & Foster’s Market Minute report. In Wicomico County, the number of homes sold rose by an impressive 49 percent, followed by more moderate increases of 6 percent in Queen Anne’s County and 5 percent in Worcester County. The median sale price increased by 37 percent in Dorchester County and by 2 percent in Worcester County. Days on market averages ranged from 62 days in Wicomico County to 126 days in Talbot County.

The Long & Foster Real Estate Market Minute report for the Maryland Eastern Shore includes Worcester, Wicomico, Dorchester, Queen Anne’s, Talbot and Caroline counties.

Gary Scott, president of Long & Foster Real Estate, speculates that increased home sales seen in some vacation markets like Maryland’s Eastern Shore are a result of investors diversifying their portfolios as the stock market fluctuates. When there is uncertainty in the stock market, real estate becomes more attractive to investors, he said.

“Although low housing inventory has been an issue nationwide this year, we’re starting to see those decreases wane, including in the Eastern Shore area,” Scott said. “Buyers and sellers should keep in mind that every neighborhood is different, which is why it’s important to work with an experienced real estate agent.”

Working with a Long & Foster agent, home buyers gain access to the company’s expansive network of over 10,000 agents, who are not limited to what’s currently on the market for sale today. The company itself offers a Coming Soon Portal that allows its associates to share properties that are soon to be listed for sale, and a luxury-focused private exclusive feature that showcases high-end homes sold privately by Long & Foster associates.

“Interest rates are going to continue to creep up, which tends to be a motivator for many who are buying a home and can stimulate sales,” Scott said. “Those considering selling may benefit from having a pool of buyers who are serious about purchasing a home.”

Consultants from Prosperity Home Mortgage are located in almost every Long & Foster office, and they can help buyers with all their financing needs. As mortgage rates increase, the cost of homeownership grows, so it’s important that those shopping for a home meet with a mortgage consultant who can help them get pre-approved and lock in at current rates, Scott said.

To learn more about your local market conditions, visit Long & Foster’s Market Insights. You can also learn more about Long & Foster and find an agent at LongandFoster.com.

Disclaimer: Information included in this report is based on data supplied by Metropolitan Regional Information System and Coastal Association of Realtors and their member associations of Realtors, which are not responsible for its accuracy. The reports include residential real estate transactions within specific geographic regions, not just Long & Foster sales, and they do not reflect all activity in the marketplace. Information contained in this report is deemed reliable but not guaranteed, should be independently verified, and does not constitute an opinion of MRIS, CAR or Long & Foster Real Estate.