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The median house price for the first 11 months of the year has risen by $18,000, or 10.3%, than for the same period a year ago. The median price this year is $192,000, according to statistics released by the Wisconsin Realtors Association.

So far, sales for the year are down by 0.7% with local sales professionals selling 2,239 houses, 15 fewer than they sold for the same period a year ago.

The median price was $185,000 in November, $14,000 or 8.5% higher than November a year ago.

During the month, 180 houses went to closing, four fewer than for the same month a year ago.

In Racine County, the median price for the year was $182,250, or $13,300 higher than for the same period a year ago.

In November, the median price was $174,900, or $9.400 higher than in November 2018.

Sales for the year in Racine County were down 2.5%, with real estate agents selling 2,562 houses compared with 2,628 sold for the same period a year ago.

Last month, sales were down 19.3%, with only 197 houses sold.

Mark Bourque, founder and co-owner of Berkshire Hathaway Epic Real Estate, 6040 39th Ave., said more houses could have been sold if there was more inventory.

“We need inventory to sell more units. The local economy remains very robust. We have the buyers; we just need inventory to satisfy that demand.”

Statewide, year-to-date sales dropped 1.4%, with the industry selling 76,157 houses compared with 77,202 sold for the same period a year ago. Meanwhile, the median price for the first 11 months of the year is $197,500, 6.9% or $12,675 higher than for the same period a year ago.

“As we close in on the year-end, it’s clear that we are going to be very close to the sales levels we’ve seen the last couple of years, but the tight inventory levels have kept our growth in check,” said WRA Chairman Steve Beers.