Closed sales of houses in the Lehigh Valley closed out the year 2015 with the third straight month of decreased sales, according to statistics provided by the Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors (GLVR).

Closed sales were down 5.3 percent in December to 595 from 628 in December 2014. The decrease was larger than the November decrease of 0.2 percent and the October decrease of 0.3 percent.

For the year 2015, closed sales were up 11.4 percent to 7,345 from 6,592 for the year 2014.

“Prices continue to build traction, even after the Federal Reserve increased rates in December, and we expect a balanced market for the foreseeable future,” said Jim Zurn, President of the GLVR.

Pending sales increased 42 percent in December to 544 from 383 in December 2014.

Days on the market decreased 10.8 percent in December to 66 from 74 in December 2014.

The months supply decreased 40.5 percent in December to 4.7 months from 7.9 months in December 2014.

Inventory decreased 30.2 percent in December to 3,042 from 4,359 in December 2014.

New listings decreased 16.8 percent in December to 505 from 607 in December 2014.

The average sales price increased 4.7 percent in December to $197,173 from $188,257 in December 2014.

The median sales price increased 4.4 percent in December to $167,000 from $159,950 in December 2014.

The percentage of list price received increased 0.8 percent in December to 96.6 percent from 95.8 percent in December 2014.

The affordability index decreased 1 percent.

“The residential housing market is a healthy piece of the economy. And within the industry, we’ve instituted better lending standards, which is contributing to the health of the market.” said GLVR CEO Justin Porembo.

The Carbon County data for December 2015 showed closed sales up 53.6 percent, pending sales up 70 percent, and new listings down 1.2 percent. Median sales price is up 1.3 percent to $119,000, with percentage of list price received 93 percent.

In addition to closed sales decreasing slightly in November and October in the Lehigh Valley, September was the first month in three months that closed sales did not increase in double digits.

In 2015 in the Lehigh Valley, closed sales increased by double digits in August, July, June, April and March, by single digits in February and January, and declined by single digits in May.

Here’s an overview of Lehigh Valley house sales in 2015:

Closed sales in November decreased by 0.2 percent 504 from 505 in November 2014.

Closed sales in October decreased 0.3 percent to 660 from 662 in October 2014.

Closed sales in September increased 5.3 percent to 612 from 581 in September 2014.

Closed house sales in August increased 12.8 percent to 767 from 680 in August 2014.

Closed sales in July increased 13.8 percent to 774 from 680 in July 2014.

Closed sales in June increased 15.6 percent to 779 from 674 in June 2014.

Closed sales in May decreased 2.8 percent to 596 from 613 in May 2014.

Closed sales in April increased 10.5 percent to 507 from 459 in April 2014.

Closed sales in March increased 19 percent to 514 from 432 in March 2014.

Closed sales in February increased 4.3 percent to 339 from 325 in February 2014.

Closed sales in January increased 5.7 percent to 373 from 353 in January 2014.

The Carbon County data for December 2015 showed closed sales up 53.6 percent, pending sales up 70 percent, and new listings down 1.2 percent. Median sales price is up 1.3 percent to $119,000, with percentage of list price received 93 percent.

The monthly housing data is collected by the GLVR from its Multiple Listing Service, a comprehensive 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 Greater Lehigh Valley Real Estate Weekly.

Information: GreaterLehighValleyRealtors.com