House sales in 2004 just shy of record

But 2004's sales showed the continued strength of the Hamilton market, agents said.

A total of 441 houses were sold around the city during December, well up on the year's 357 monthly average and more than ever sold in December before.

The figure pushed the 2004 total to 4282, which was just 25 sales short of 2003's record figure.

It took 17 days on average to sell a house in the city during December, compared with 27 throughout the year.

Brian King of Harcourts said 2004 had been steady compared to some "unheard of" monthly highs in 2003.

"2003 was a huge year. Not many expected the market to stay at the same level."

Mr King said when sales dropped to 286 for July some observers thought Hamilton's market would follow the national trend in falling sales.

"But October, November and December shot away."

The city's median sale price for the year was $218,208.

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