Closed sales in March increased by double digits, 19 percent to 514 houses, up from 432 houses in March 2014, the Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors (GLVR) has reported.

Year-to-date, closed sales for the first three months also increased by double digits, 12.9 percent, to 1,253 houses, up from 1,110 houses sold in the first three months of 2014.

The March closed sales far surpass percentage gains for the first two months of 2015.

In February, closed sales increased by 4.3 percent to 339 houses, up from 325 houses for February 2014.

In January, closed sales increased 5.7 percent to 373 houses, up from 353 houses sold in January 2014.

"Thus far, spring has proven to be beneficial for the real estate market, and this trend is expected to continue into next month," GLVR Chief Executive Officer Ryan Conrad said.

Pending sales in March also posted a robust increase of 24.4 percent to 708, up from 569 in March 2014.

New listings in March decreased by 5.8 percent, down to 1,102, from 1,170 in March 2014.

Days on the market in March increased 3.8 percent to 82 days, up from 79 days in March 2014.

The median sales price in March increased 5.3 percent to $163,155, up from $154,950 in March 2014.

The average sales price in March increased 9.4 percent to $188,060, up from $171,901 in March 2014.

The percentage of list price received in March remained flat at 0.0 percent at 95.9 percent, the same as in March 2014.

The housing affordability index in March increased by a solid 3 percent, meaning more people can afford to buy a home in the Greater Lehigh Valley.

The inventory of homes in March decreased 7.7 percent to 3,474, down from 3,763 in March 2014.

The months supply of inventory in March was down 15.9 percent to 5.8 months from 6.9 months in March 2014. The 5.8 months figure is considered to be in the middle of the 4 to 7 month range of a balanced real estate market.

Activity in the Lehigh Valley increased almost completely across the board year-to-date in 2015.

In the first three months of 2015, new listings rose 1.7 percent, pending sales increased 31.5 percent, closed sales increased 12.9 percent and the average sales price increased by a solid 4 percent.

Days on the market for the first three months of 2015 increased 5.3 percent, to 80 days from 76 days in 2014.

The only decrease the Lehigh Valley saw was a 7.7 percent decrease in inventory.

"There are a few economic factors contributing to these numbers," Chris Raad, GLVR President, said. "National stories have been highlighting an increase in new construction sales and pending sales.

"But most importantly, the job picture looks promising, and since employment drives home-buying activity, we are expecting to see further increases throughout the spring," Raad said.

Closed sales in March in the Southern Lehigh School District soared 129 percent, and pending sales in March there increased by 81.1 percent.

New listings rose most in the Catasauqua School District, by an increase of 50 percent.

Pen Argyl School District's inventory showed the highest increase at 24.2 percent.

The average sales price showed the highest increase at 33.7 percent in Northampton Area School District.

Carbon County data showed a 3 percent increase in the affordability index from last March, and 0.3 percent increase in the percent of list price received. The median sales price increased by 16.5 percent and the average sales price rose 6.2 percent since last March.

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

The monthly housing data is collected by the GLVR from its Multiple Listing Service, a comprehensive and nonbiased database that includes housing market information from its more than 2,000 Realtor members.

The GLVR 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.

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