The average price of a single-family home appreciated for the fifth straight month, reaching $203,271, up 12.3 percent versus February 2009. At $147,000, the February single-family home median price—the figure at which half of the homes sold for more and half sold for less—rose 6.5 percent from one year earlier. That represents the tenth consecutive monthly increase in median price.

Foreclosure property sales reported in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) fell by 18.7 percent in February compared to one year earlier. The median price of February foreclosure sales rose 7.5 percent to $86,000 on a year-over-year basis.

Sales of all property types in Houston for February totaled 3,843, down 4.6 percent compared to February 2009. Total dollar volume for properties sold during the month was $747 million versus $711 million one year earlier, representing a 5.1 percent increase.

“We are encouraged by steady homebuying activity in the higher-end single-family segment, which has strengthened Houston’s already enviable real estate pricing,” said Margie Dorrance, HAR chair and principal at Keller Williams Realty Metropolitan. “We expect to see consumer interest extend to the other segments as the spring homebuying season heats up.”

Mark Fuller is a leading real estate professional specializing in Luxury Homes In Houston Texas.