If there were rain showers during April, they sure didn't have an effect on the real estate market. According to the April sales statistics published by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee, sale prices are considerably up.

The median sale price of single-family homes (half above and half below) was up 8.9 percent from last April to $279,300. The average sale price for single-family homes was up 13.4 percent to $353,456. Closed sales were almost exactly the same with 534 closing during April of this year, and properties are selling at 94.7 percent of the list price.

The condo market also is up with the median sale price up 14.1 percent from April of last year to $165,500 and the average sales price up 58 percent to $311,127 (this number probably includes some high end condos that sold and likely will readjust next month). Closed sales are also up 12.1 percent to 306 in April of this year, and properties are selling at 94.3 percent of list price similar to single family homes.

The increase in sale prices is also happening in Sarasota County where the median single family home prices were up 12.6 percent. Across the country, the number of sales of existing homes also rose in April by 1.7 percent according to the National Association of Realtors, and the median sale price for a previously owned home was up 6.3 percent to $232,500 from last year.

Generally, the real estate market right here in Manatee County, as well as across the country, continues to get stronger. Much of this has to do with advantageous interest rates, which averaged 3.61 percent in April for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage, which was the lowest monthly average since May of 2013. Even with the Federal Reserve indicating an increase in the prime rate during June, it appears that the housing market isn't likely to be upset.

And there is more good news as reported by the Bradenton Herald. The new U.S. Census Bureau data indicates that North Port and Bradenton are among the fastest growing cities in Florida. North Port ranks 4th and Bradenton ranks 6th, placing North Port at number 41 overall in the country and Bradenton at 46. Between 2014 and 2015, North Port's population increased by about 2,000 and Bradenton's by more than 1,600. Overall, Manatee County grew by more than 11,500 residents in one year and by almost 40,000 people since 2010. On the other hand, the three cities on Anna Maria Island saw little growth. The three Anna Maria cities and Longboat Key grew only by 288 people.

In addition, the unemployment rate has dropped in both Manatee and Sarasota counties. The Manatee County rate went from 4.3 percent to 4.1 percent from March to April and the Sarasota County rate also dropped from 4.4 percent to 4.3 percent. This is better than the state of Florida rate drop which changed from 4.9 percent to 4.8 percent. The national unemployment rate was at 5 percent in both March and April of this year, a slight increase from January's and February's rate of 4.9 percent.

With new construction permits up about 10 percent, only about a 4 and a half months' supply of homes available on the market and a low unemployment rate, it's no wonder our population is increasing. Economics 101 supply and demand will bring out the May flowers.