Chesterton ranked third among all other communities in Northwest Indiana in the priciest homes sold in 2001, while ranking eighth in the overall number of homes sold.

The Greater Northwest Indiana Association of REALTORS reported that 293 homes were sold in Chesterton last year, followed by Hammond with 680, Valparaiso, 631, Gary, 523, Portage, 482, Merrillville, 393, Hobart, 374, and Crown Point, 359.

The average home sales price in Chesterton was $195,943, behind St. John, with an average sales price of $205,429, and Munster, $199,635.

The average sales price of homes sold in Valparaiso was $173,683, according to the GNIAR, which represents about 2,000 real estate agents in Porter, Lake, LaPorte, Jasper and Newton counties.

The region had a record dollar volume of home sales last year of nearly $850 million, despite the economic slowdown and the terrorist attacks. The GNIAR attributed the strong level of home sales to a dramatic drop in interest rates.

A total of 6,693 homes were sold in the Northwest Indiana region in 2001, compared to 6,383 in 2000.

Sales of condominiums, townhomes and half-duplexes totaled 634 units, compared to 604 the year before.

The average sales price in the region also increased last year. In the four bedroom home category, the average sold price went from $164,143 in 2000 to $175,331. For a three-bedroom home, the average price was $119,263, up from $110,202. The average sold price of a two-bedroom home went from $67,102 to $71,333.

Posted 4/8/2002