Florida’s existing-home sales rose in November, marking 15 months that sales activity has increased in the year-to-year comparison, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors. Existing-home sales rose 61 percent, with a total of 14,026 homes sold statewide compared to 8,694 homes sold in November 2008, according to Florida Realtors. Statewide sales of existing condos increased 111 percent compared to November 2008’s sales figure.

For the second month in a row, all of Florida’s metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) reported increased existing-home sales and higher condo sales in November. A majority of the state’s MSAs have reported increased sales for 17 consecutive months. “The extended and expanded federal homebuyer tax credit will continue the positive momentum of the housing sector’s recovery—people will want to take advantage of this incredible, not-to-be-missed opportunity to buy a home of their own in Florida,” says 2010 Florida Realtors President Cynthia Shelton, CCIM, CRE, a broker and director of investment sales with Colliers Arnold in Orlando.

Atlanta Business Chronicle’s annual Book of Lists recently ranked Bowen Family Homes fourth on its list of the top homebuilders in Atlanta. Bowen Family Homes jumped one spot from last year’s ranking of fifth. Rankings for the list were determined by the number of homes sold in 2008. The 2009-2010 Book of Lists also ranked Bowen Family Homes 52nd among Atlanta’s Top 100 Private Companies. Rankings for this list were determined by latest annual revenue. Bowen Family Homes has 15 townhome and single-family home communities located in the most sought-after locations throughout metro Atlanta, including Fulton, Cobb, Forsyth and Gwinnett counties. Homes are affordably priced from the $110,000s to the $400,000s.