Spokane County home sales continued strong in April with 643 single-family homes sold, a 1.4 percent increase from the torrid pace of April 2004 when 634 homes were sold.

Inventory continues to be down from last year with 1,364 single-family homes on the market compared to slightly more than 1,600 in April 2004.

Year-to-date closed sales are up 6.3 percent over last year at this time, with new construction sales up 5 percent. Low inventory combined with continued strong sales to drive the average and median prices up 11.1 percent and 10.8 percent, respectively.

A total of 84 new homes sold at an average price of $232,105 during April.

In the Valley: 177 homes — 33 of them new construction — sold for an average price of $177,481. Total dollar volume was $29.0 million.

In the South: 159 homes sold for an average price of $256,509. Fifteen of the homes were new construction. Total dollar volume was $28.2 million.

In the Northwest: 166 homes — 19 of them new construction — sold for an average price of $185,180. Total dollar volume was $24.1 million.

In the Northeast: 97 homes were sold at an average price of $123,322. Five of the homes were new construction. Dollar volume was $10.1 million.

In other areas of Spokane County: A total of 44 homes — 12 of them new construction — sold for an average price of $145,270. Dollar volume was $1.2 million.