Closed sales of single-family homes in the Hartford area remained unchanged, at 575, for the month of October compared to one year ago, according to the Greater Hartford Association of Realtors (GHAR).

Pending sales rose 2.7 percent to 645 from 628, while the median sales price dropped 10.7 percent to $212,500 from $238,000. New listings decreased 2 percent to 1,249 from 1,275, during this same time frame. Inventory rose 1.8 percent to 6393 from 6,278 and the average number of days a house spent on the market dropped 1.2 percent to 81 days from 82.

Year-to-date, closed sales decreased 9 percent to 6,083 from 6691, and pending sales dropped 8.15 percent to 7,205 from 7,844. The median sale price decreased 2.6 percent to $225,000 from $231,000, and new listings fell 6.26 percent 14,370 from 15,329 from the beginning of this year.

Closed sales of condominiums in Greater Hartford fell almost 12 percent, to 125 from 142 compared to October of last year. The median sale price dropped 15.13 percent to $140,000 from $164,950, and inventory decreased by nearly 2 percent to 1,780 from 1,815.

"Connecticut was slow to enter the housing downturn and we have been slow to recover," said GHAR President and CEO Jeff Arakelian. "Historically low interest rates are a huge advantage to those looking to buy now."

Nationally, Lawrence Yun, National Association of Realtors chief economist, said the market has been stable, although at low levels, and there is plenty of room for improvement. "Existing-home sales have bounced around this year, staying relatively close to the current level in most months," he said.