Warmer December Boosted Housing Market, Realtors Group Says

Homes placed under sales agreements across Massachusetts in December were up 34 percent from the same month in 2014, according to real estate industry analysts, who attributed the boost to the state's appeal and relatively warm weather.

The Massachusetts Association of Realtors reported Wednesday that 3,537 sales agreements were reached last month in Massachusetts, at a median sale price of $345,000. The median pending sale price in December 2014 was $330,000.

Pending condo sales in December were up 30 percent across Massachusetts and the median condo sale price was $319,000, compared to $320,000 a year ago.

Pending home sales for 2015 were up 10 percent and the median sales agreement price last year was $341,729, compared to $331,800 in 2014.

“Buyers took advantage of the unseasonably warm weather to add home buying to their holiday shopping lists in December,” association president Annie Blatz said in a statement. “An improved economy and a strong desire to live in Massachusetts pushed pending home sales up over last year despite the low number of homes for sale.”