Sales Uptick in St. Pete, Clearwater Housing Metros

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Home sales in Pinellas County, Florida, home to St. Petersburg, increased in December, after five months of consecutive drops, according to the Pinellas Realtor Organization. 

In December, 1,398 homes were sold in the county -- single-family and townhouse/condo -- 191 more sales than the previous month. 

Even though home sales show an increase over the last five months, the figures dropped compared to a year ago. Sales for single-family homes dropped 8.4 percent from December 2012. For townhouse/condos sales had no change year-over-year. 

The median sales price for single-family homes increased 15.7 percent in December, compared to a year ago. The median price for townhouse/condos also increased, going up 10 percent in December. 

A report from the Florida Realtors showed home prices have gained in the state for 25 consecutive months. 

Similar to state figures, cash sales decreased in Pinellas County in December by 15.8 percent and 7.7 percent for single-family and townhouse/condos, respectively. 

Sales should increase next month for single-family homes as the report shows new pending sales are up 6.4 percent. For the townhouse/condo market, they are down slightly by 1.3 percent.