Sarnia-Lambton real estate sales hit an unprecedented $534-million in 2017.
Year-end figures released Thursday show a 3% increase in the number of sales at 2,025 and a 17% hike in total dollar volume.
Real Estate Board President Steve Park says a lack of inventory remains a concern even more so with NOVA Chemicals $2.2-billion polyethylene investment.
"We already had a really busy market with very little houses for sale," says Park. "So, NOVA adding to it will only create more pressure until we get more listings. That will really help the new home sales and it'll really help those that are looking at selling their rental properties or are renting the property too."
Listings in 2017 were down 7% compared to 2016.
There were 86 sales last month, off 9% from December 2016 but dollar volume was up 11% at $22.6-million.
The year ended with the average sale price at $268,000, up from $233,000 in 2016.