Pretty House

Home sales in central Michigan slowed dramatically in July, echoing the experience of buyers and sellers across the country.

This July was the slowest July of the decade in the mid-Michigan home market, according to an analysis of data released by a trade group.

A total of 74 homes changed hands in July in transactions handled by members of the Central Michigan Association of Realtors. That group handles real estate deals mainly in Isabella and Gratiot counties.

That’s well below the five-year average July rate of 85. The previous slowest July was in 2008, when 79 properties changed hands.

Members of the Clare-Gladwin Board of Realtors sold just 49 homes during the month, also making it the slowest July of the decade for that area. The five-year average for July is 62 sales, and the previous slowest July was in 2009, when 54 properties changed hands.

The central Michigan experience followed a trend nationally. The National Association of Realtors reported that sales of previously occupied homes in the United States fell 27 percent in July, the weakest showing in 15 years.