Home sales in League City had big gains compared to last year, with the area's strong economy and amenities driving the growth.

Single-family homes sales in League City were up 13.7 percent in April from last year, and they’re part of a wide-ranging trend towards greater sales activity and economic growth in the Houston metropolitan area.

According to the Houston Association of Realtors, League City’s sales rose from 109 in April 2011 to 124 in April of this year, and the average sale price also increased 5.6 percent to $207,769.

For more perspective on the increase, we chatted with Marilyn Burt, the vice president of sales at Coldwell Banker United in Clear Lake; here were some of the things Burt pointed out:

• The League City/Clear Lake area has seen an increase in volume since the first of the year, and Burt said the sales activity in the preceding months has been the best in 54 months.
• League City, Burt continued, “is booming,” with its top-notch education system being a huge draw for homebuyers; such is the demand that the community is expanding to the west.
• The downsizing of NASA, Burt said, was tough on the area’s job market the last couple years, but now, the economy in the area has adapted to new demands and jobs are once again available; the nearby Exxon facilities, she said, are one example.
• MLS inventory for the Houston area, Burt said, is down 3 percent, and she sees similar shortages in the League City/Clear Lake area; with everything the area offers, from its strong energy industry, to its schools, to its vibrant boating community, Burt thinks the areas are on the verge of becoming seller markets.