December home sales down, listings up

Earlier signs of a slowing home-sales market were reinforced last month as central Puget Sound counties reported more homes on the market but fewer sales than the previous December.

However, prices generally continued to climb, according to the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, which released its December market-activity report today.

King and Snohomish counties saw about 6 percent fewer pending sales — deals inked but not closed — last month compared with the previous December. Meanwhile, the number of houses and condos for sale grew by 24 percent in King County and 34 percent in Snohomish County.

The median price for single-family homes and condominiums combined was up almost 13 percent in King County to $399,900. Snohomish County's price rise was slightly steeper — up more than 14 percent to $341,831.

Pierce and Kitsap counties reported sharp percentage drops in pending home sales. Pierce, which has significant new construction, was down 19 percent. Kitsap was down 23 percent, reporting 244 sales last month, compared with 318 a year earlier.

The median price for houses and condos combined was $269,950 in Pierce County. That's 8 percent above a year earlier.

In Kitsap, the median price fell 1 percent, to $261,700.

Elizabeth Rhodes: erhodes@seattletimes.com