Home sale prices continue slow climb
Charlotte steady as other markets decline

ALLEN NORWOOD

The National Association of Realtors says home sale prices in the Charlotte area rose 4.5 percent in the third quarter of the year, continuing the slow but steady climb despite some steep declines in other markets.
The median price of existing single-family homes sold here was $198,300 during the quarter, up from to $189,800 for the same three months in 2005.
The national median was $224,900 in the third quarter, the NAR said in a release this week, down 1.2 percent from a year earlier. The median is the price at which half of homes sold for more and half for less.
There was good news for the state, too. Home sale prices continue slow climb
Across the country, existing home sales were down more than 12 percent during the three-month period. But 10 states showed increases -- including North Carolina. In fact, this state led the nation, with existing home sales rising 9.7 percent from the third quarter of 2005.