For the last few years islanders have asked the same question – when will the economy bounce back? One way to gauge how things are going in the community is real estate.

Residential home sales on Orcas saw a big increase this year. Sales jumped 68 percent from 22 in 2012 to 38 so far in 2013, according to the Real Estate Market Report.  Dollar volumes of those sales also made a leap from $8 million to more than $17 million in the same time period.

Residential home sales on San Juan Island continue to pace last year’s numbers. According to the Real Estate Market Report, year-to-date home sales in 2012 were 35, and for 2013 the number is the same. Last year’s dollar volume was $18,944,000 and this YTD number is only slightly lower at $17,126,000. Inventory of homes on the market is only 1 lower than at this time last year (197 versus 198).

“With mortgage rates inching upwards and the days-on-market getting tighter, we’re optimistic that more buyers will realize that time is of the essence for getting the home they want on the island,” said  Windemere’s Gary Franklin in an open email.

Listings have also seen an overall increase, but a decrease for last month.

According to the Northwest Multiple Listing Service’s Area Statistics Report for May,  listings moved from 435 to 415 last month.

For year to date increases, the listings rose from 250 in 2012 to 274 this year. The average price for residencies and condominiums also increased year to date from an average price of $837,679 to $842,119. According to San Juan County Auditor Milene Henley, transactions on other islands were flat. County-wide, there was a 9 percent increase in dollar volume over first quarter 2012, she wrote in a guest column in the Sounder.

“I’m hopeful that the setback is temporary,” said Henley. “I’m going to do my part by making sure I buy locally and support my local businesses.”