During September, closed sales of houses in the Lehigh Valley decreased 8.7 percent, 555, down from 608 in in September 2013.

Closed sales of houses data includes that for single-family homes, townhomes and condominiums.

The decrease is said to be seen across the state, according to information provided by the Lehigh Valley Association of Realtors (LVAR) in its monthly Lehigh Valley housing market report.

Said Kim Skumanick, president of the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors, "Throughout Pennsylvania we're seeing continued signs of a stabilizing market. Although home sales across the commonwealth remained relatively unchanged [in the third quarter], we still see positive signs in the marketplace."

Pending sales were again up for the month, which is considered to be one of the positive signs in the Lehigh Valley market.

In September, pending sales jumped 17.6 percent compared to last year at the same time. Pending sales reflect homes that are under contract but have not yet closed.

Also, in September, new listings increased 0.7 percent to 1,096, compared to 1,088 the same month last year.

Inventory levels grew 2.2 percent to 4,320 units in September.

"The continued increase of new listings, from the same time last year and over the last several months, has proved to be a continuing trend that is increasing the amount of housing inventory from which buyers may choose," said Ryan Conrad, CEO of LVAR.

House sales prices again went up.

The average sales price for September was $213,261, a 8.6 percent increase.

Year-to-date, the median sales price remained the same at $170,000. The median sales price reflects the median point at which half of the sales sold for more and half sold for less, not accounting for seller concessions, in a given month.

"The increase in home prices may be encouraging people who were waiting to sell their homes to put them on the market, something that is currently being reflected in the increase in new listings and inventory levels," said Kim Lucas-Mantz, President of LVAR. "Our MLS data indicates that homes are selling for 96.4 percent of their list price."

"Consumers know that investing in a home is a great way to build long term financial wealth and stability," Skumanick said. "Realtors are optimistic a slow, but steadily improving market will spur more consumers to achieve the American dream of home ownership."

Here is the tally for this year so far of closed sales of houses in the Lehigh Valley:

August: 7.3 percent decrease, 652, down from 703 in August 2013;

July: 10.6 percent decrease, 656, down from 734 in July 2013;

June: 9.3 percent decrease, 627, down from 691 in June 2013;

May: 7.9 percent decrease, 2,145, down from 2,328 in May 2013;

April: 11.3 percent decrease, 1,524, down from 1,719 in April 2013;

March: 15.2 percent decrease 407, down from 480 in March 2013;

February: 10 percent decrease, compared to February 2013; and

January; 3.1 percent decrease, compared to January 2013.

Closed sales of houses for 2013 were 15.5 percent higher than 2012 and 32 percent higher than in 2011.

LVAR collects data from its Multiple Listing Service used by more than 2,000 Realtor members.

LVAR is a not-for-profit trade association providing professional development and training resources, competitive market information, legislative advocacy, a peer review and mediation process for members, and a dispute resolution service for consumers.

LVAR owns and operates the Lehigh Valley Multiple Listing Service, the Lehigh Valley Real Estate Academy and is publisher of Lehigh Valley Real Estate Weekly.