Illinois Resales Jump

Sales of existing single-family homes in Illinois rose to 9,977 in November, up 18.8% from 8,398 a year earlier, according to the Illinois Association of Realtors.The statewide median sales price rose 9.2% to $184,000 from $168,600 a year earlier, the association said. "The surprising number of Illinois home sales reported in November delivered reinvigorating confidence to the financial and real estate market," said John Veneris, president of the association. In the Chicago metropolitan statistical area, resales totaled 6,234 in November, up 17.4% from 5,311 a year earlier, and the median sales price was $242,600, up 10.2%. The association can be found on the Web at http://www.illinoisrealtor.org.