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Six straight months of sales increases embers of the Oakyville, Milton and District Real Estate Board achieved 365 sales of residential properties for the month of April, up 74 per cent from the 210 sales achieved during April 1993, accordâ€" ing to the Board‘s president, Nancy Gossling. "Banks were busy doing mortgage preâ€" approvals when rates first went up," said Gossling. "The interest rates quoted at that time would, in many cases, be held for 60 days. We are now seeing the end of those preâ€" approved lower rates. It will be interesting to see how the new rates affect sales, particularly at the entry level to the market. Keep in mind, rates are still very low when you consider the past 20 years." Gossling further noted that listings are down over last year. The Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board‘s March residential sales totalled $82,436,332 and averaged $225,853. The "In order to hold a steady market, it is necâ€" essary for supply and demand to be in equilibâ€" rium. We need more properties listed for sale. A house, listed at fair market value, will sell within a reasonable time period in today‘s market," she explained. ‘"What makes us realâ€" ly optimistic about the strength of this upturn is that we are not only seeing properties sell in the lower price ranges, but houses are again selling in that $350,000â€"$450,000 price range. People have the confidence to move up and to assume a greater interest in property." Breaking down the total, 264 sales were reported in the Board‘s Oakville District and averaged $230,637, and 39 sales were reportâ€" ed in the Board‘s Milton District and averaged $166,533. There were 62 rural and other resiâ€" dential sales in the month. In addition to sales of residential properâ€" ties, Board members reported 36 nonâ€"residenâ€" tial sales and rentals of properties during April, moving the grand total to 401. The dolâ€" lar volume for properties of all types was $84,988,564.