The ups and downs of home sales Number of Top of Utah homes sold and the average sale price by zip code, January through August, 2006 and 2007: Zip codes Jan.-Aug. Jan.-Aug. Percent Avg. price Avg. price Percent (and city)_2006 2007 change Aug. 2006 Aug. 2007 change 84025, 84014, 84010, 84087, 84054 (Farmington, Centerville, Bountiful, Woods Cross, N. Salt Lake) 652 587 -10.0% $329,537 $351,365 +6.6% 84037, 84040, 84041 (Fruit Heights, Kaysville, East Layton, West Layton) 916 913 -0.3% $225,360 $261,768 +16.2% 84015, 84016, 84075 (Clearfield, Freeport, Syracuse, Clinton, West Point, Sunset) 1,227 1,025 -16.5% $198,675 $205,739 +3.6% 84201, 84404, 84414 (NE Ogden, Harrisville, Plain City, Pleasant View, N. Ogden.) 1,019 917 -10.0% $171,096 $189,525 +10.8% 84401, 84402, 84403, 84405, 84408, 84409 (Ogden, WSU, S. Ogden, Riverdale, Wash. Terrace, W. Haven) 953 955 +0.2% $151,355 $191,240 +26.4% 84067,84315 (Roy, Hooper) 607 500 -17.6% $166,388 $193,754 +16.4% 84310,84317 (Eden, Huntsville) 56 45 -19.6% $716,333 $520,625 -27.3% 84018,84050 (Croydon, Morgan) 62 72 +16.1% $286,277 $246,275 -14.0% Source: Weber/North Davis Association of Realtors BY ANTONE CLARK Standard-Examiner Correspondent Home sales in Weber, Davis and Morgan counties are continuing to slow down while prices keep rising, the latest monthly sales numbers released by the Weber/North Davis Association of Realtors show. Residential housing sales for August 2007 for the three-county region were down by 102 homes, or 13.6 percent, in comparison with August 2006. Overall sales numbers for the Top of Utah region have been down every month in comparison with 2006 since March of this year. Yearly totals for the region are down 478 homes, or 8.7 percent, in 2007. Mary Hurlburt, president of the local Realtor association, said there has been some softening in the market, particularly in regard to movement of higher-end homes worth $500,000 or more. "Typically, we're finding we have more higher-end homes on the market," Hurlburt said. She said the housing market is good for medium-sized homes. She also described the tightening credit market for higher-risk mortgages as a good thing that will help the market in the long run. The largest softening of the market has occurred in northwest Davis County. Sales in the Clearfield, Clinton, Sunset, West Point and Syracuse area have been down significantly since March, with a total drop-off of 202 home sales, a 16.5 percent decline, during the first eight months "In general, home prices have accelerated much faster than people's incomes. There will have to be a correction somewhere, and it appears to be coming in the form of a drastic reduction in new home construction." KELLY MATTHEWS, executive vice president and economist for Wells Fargo in Utah of 2007. Ironically, there are still more overall sales of homes in Clearfield, Clinton, Sunset, West Point and Syracuse than any other region of the three counties, the same data shows. Through the first eight months of the year, there were 1,025 homes sold in that area of Davis County, in comparison with 1,227 homes in the same area in 2006. The numbers do show a few bright spots. Sales numbers in Morgan County are up eight homes through August, in comparison with figures from last year. Numbers in a pocket of Weber County that includes a portion of Ogden, Hooper, Marriott-Slaterville, Roy, Taylor, West Haven, South Weber, Uintah, Riverdale and Washington Terrace (area codes 84401, 84402, 84403, 84405, 84408 and 84409) also showed a small gain of two home sales in 2007, compared with 2006. Weber/North Davis Realtors represents 2,400 members in the three-county region. While sales have declined this year, prices have continued to rise. Through August, average prices in North Davis County rose 3.6 percent compared with a year earlier, while prices in Layton and South Davis County rose between six and 16 percent. Weber County prices have also seen double-digit increases in the same period. State economists say locals are being priced out of homeownership. "In general, home prices have accelerated much faster than people's incomes," said Kelly Matthews, executive vice president and economist for Wells Fargo in Utah. "There will have to be a correction somewhere, and it appears to be coming in the form of a drastic reduction in new home construction." Through the first nine months of this year, the 2,447 residential building permits issued along the Wasatch Front was a 15 percent drop compared with the same period in 2006, according to the weekly publication, Construction Monitor. Thanks to rising prices, however, the total value of permits issued this year was up more than 15 percent to $134.7 million. Despite the rising prices, Hurlburt said the local market remains very affordable compared to metropolitan areas in surrounding states. "When you look at the alternatives, we're still in a very attractive market." Reporter Jeff DeMoss contributed to this article.