LOS ANGELES — Home sales edged 3 percent higher in the Western region of the country last month, as many buyers moved to lock in deals in time to qualify for government tax credits.
Foreclosed homes and other sharply discounted properties continued to drive sales in many markets in the 13-state region, particularly in California, Arizona and Nevada. The median price fell by nearly 10 percent to $207,900.
Five metro areas, including Denver’s, posted annual sales declines. Denver saw sales drop nearly 9 percent from a year ago, while the median sale price surged 17 percent to $202,500.
The Western region appeared to dodge the dampening effects of winter weather seen elsewhere in the country.
“We had our best February ever in Anchorage,” said Ed Heidel, president of Century 21 North Homes Realty in Seattle, which also has offices in Alaska and Oregon.
Nationally, sales rose nearly 8 percent from February of last year, without adjusting for seasonal factors, the National Association of Realtors said Tuesday. The median price declined nearly 2 percent to $165,100.
While the supply of homes on the market rose nationwide, in many Western markets there is a shortage.
