December sales volumes pick up

Statewide sales of existing homes and condos increased 4% and 12% by volume in December 2010 compared to the same month a year ago. But median prices fell 5% and 17% over the same time frame according to Florida Realtors.

In the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metro area, 2,754 existing homes were sold in December, a 17% over-the-year increase. The median price for those sales was $126,100, down 8%.

The Sarasota-Bradenton market saw an 8% increase in sales activity, with 945 homes sold in December against 872 from the prior year. The median home sale price was $156,800, down 6% from a year ago.