Property sales up, prices sag

Sales of existing real estate accelerated in 2011. Homes sold moved up 8% from the prior year's total, and condo sales increased by 15%. But prices decreased slightly, according to the latest report from Florida Realtors.

Among Southwest Florida metros, the Sarasota-Bradenton market did the best job of mirroring statewide trends. Units sold increased for both homes and condos in 2011: 10,901 home sales represented an 8% increase, while 3,772 condo closings represented a 7% gain.

But median prices fell for both property types: down 4% for homes, to $152,000, and down 9% for condos, to $127,000.