January 26, the National Association of Realtors said existing home sales rose 6.5% in December to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.74 million units. Economists had expected an annualized rate of 4.4 million units and suggested that bargain prices are bringing buyers back into the market.

The median existing home price in December 2008 was down 15.3% to $175,400 from December 2007. It was the biggest year-over-year drop since recordkeeping began in 1968.