Homes sales up for fourth month

Home sales in Spokane County increased for the fourth consecutive month in May, but prices remain below year-ago levels.

The Spokane Association of Realtors reported 382 closed sales for the month, compared with 332 in April.

In May 2010, the association reported 520 closed sales, a number inflated by a tax credit for first-time buyers and some others re-entering the housing market.

The average sales prices was $164,282, off nine percent compared with May 2010 and 1.5 percent from April.

The median price was $149,950, down seven percent from last May and two percent from April.