Existing single-family home sales rose in 120 out of 149 metropolitan statistical areas based on closings in the third quarter of 2012 compared with the same quarter in 2011, according to the national Association of Realtors (NAR), while 29 areas had price declines. In the second quarter of 2012, 110 areas showed increases from a year earlier.

September existing-home sales declined modestly, according to the National Association of Realtors. Inventory continued to tighten and the national median home price recorded its seventh back-to-back monthly increase from a year earlier.  

Total existing-home sales fell 1.7% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.75 million in September from an upwardly revised 4.83 million in August, but are 11.0% above the 4.28 million-unit pace in September 2011.

Existing-home sales continued to improve in August, according to the National Association of Realtors. 

"The housing market is steadily recovering with consistent increases in both home sales and median prices,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist. “More buyers are taking advantage of excellent housing affordability conditions.” 

According to the tally from the national Association of Realtors, there’s the beginning of a return to normalcy taking place across housing.

Existing-home sales in April rose to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.62 million, up 3.4% from a downwardly revised 4.47 million in March.

Data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) showed a decline in total existing-home sales for the month of March. 

Sales of existing-homes declined 2.6% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.48 million in March.

Still, economists from the NAR see signs of a stabilizing market in the figures. 

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) Pending Home Sales Index rose 2.0% to 97.0 in January, according to data released yesterday.

According to NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun, the numbers inspire hope for an active home-buying season this spring.

According to data released Monday by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), existing-home sales in October rose 1.4% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.97 million.

Compared to a year ago, the current figure is up 13.5%.

“Home sales have been stuck in a narrow range despite several improving factors that generally lead to higher home sales such as job creation, rising rents and high affordability conditions," said Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist. "Many people who are attempting to buy homes are thwarted in the process."

Existing-home sales fell 3.8% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.81 million in May, compared with a downwardly revised 5 million in April, according to statistics released today by the National Association of Realtors.

“Spiking gasoline prices along with widespread severe weather hurt house shopping in April, leading to soft figures for actual closings in May,” said NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun.

Total state existing-home sales, including single-family and condo, rose to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.14 million in the first quarter, up 8.3% from 4.75 million in the fourth quarter, and down 0.8% from a 5.18-million pace during the same period in 2010, according to the National Association of Realtors. 

Existing-home sales showed gains in 49 states and the District of Columbia, while 22% of the available metropolitan areas saw prices rise from a year ago.