Mass. home sales, prices fall in January

BOSTON – January sales of single-family homes in Massachusetts fell 10.3 percent compared with a year ago, while sales in Bristol County fell 12.82 percent, according to data released this morning by real estate tracker The Warren Group.

Statewide house sales fell to 1,908 last month from the 2,126 sold in January 2008. The median price of Bay State homes sold in January fell 20.23 percent to $259,250 from $325,000 a year ago.

In Bristol County, single-family home sales dropped to 136 last month from 156 in January 2008. The median price of homes sold during the month fell 21.18 percent to $218,680 from the year-ago $277,450.