Data released last week by the Florida Association of Realtors shows home sales up for the fourth straight month in December, but still down four percent overall in 2008.  Records show a total of 124, 215 homes sold in 2008, compared to 129, 855 that were sold in 2007. The most notable portion of the tracking data shows home sales up 27 percent in December, increasing nearly 30 percent between November and December. Condo sales also increased 12 percent in December, though decreased 10 percent overall in 2008. The data also shows a decrease in home value with the average home sale in December 2008 coming in at $130,000, down from $192,600 just one year ago. Looking at sales across all of 2008, the median price fell from $234,300 in 2007 to $187,800 last year. The good news for Floridians is that homes are selling. The bad news is that homes are selling for less.

The chart below gives you sales in each consecutive quarter for 2008.  The "bottom" is in site and if you are considering buying a home now is the time to buy.

 2008 Residential Statistics for Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie Counties