The index in the Northeast rose 2.3 percent in December and was 14.9 percent higher than December 2008. In the Midwest, the index increased 5.2 percent and was 8.7 percent higher than a year ago. In the South, pending home sales rose 2.2 percent and were 5.5 percent higher than December 2008. In the West, the index fell 3.8 percent but was 18.6 percent above a year ago.

NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun says it’s important to recognize how the tax credit is skewing market data. “There are easily understood swings in contact activity as buyers respond to a tax credit that was expiring and was then extended and expanded. These swings are masking the underlying trend, which is a broad improvement over year-ago levels. December activity was the fifth highest monthly tally in two years,” Yun says.

from CRS Member Connect newsletter

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