October 27, 2008 Housing market sends mixed signals in Mass. Play video

(NECN: Greg Wayland) - For the first time this year, the number of single-family homes old in Massachusetts actually increased over the same period a year ago.

The Warren Group, a Boston-based publisher of real estate data, reported Monday that sales increased 8.5% in September compared with the same month a year ago.

The median home price dropped 15.6% to below $300,000 for the first time since April 2003.

Warren Group CEO Timothy Warren said the decline, from $340,750 to $287,500, and the increase in sales show homeowners are becoming more realistic about pricing.

The industry organization also said condominium sales were down 9.6% when compared with September 2007.

The Massachusetts Association of Realtors, which uses slightly different methods, reported similar trends.

*Material from the Associated Press used in this report*