On Tuesday, the Illinois Association of REALTORS® released its December and 2012 year-end home sales report. Some of the good news – statewide home sales in December rose 15.2 percent over previous-year levels and median prices increased 5.6 percent.

Taking a look at 2012 as a whole, Illinois’ year-end total home sales were up 22.9 percent from 2011 and the median was up 0.7 percent. Read IAR’s news release for more.

The home sales news garnered positive media coverage including these headlines:

Illinois home sales jump 15.2% as local markets recover – HousingWire

Chicago-area home sales up 19% in December – Chicago Tribune

Chicago-area home sales jump in December – Crains

Quincy-area home sales gain momentum during 2012 – Quincy Herald-Whig

Home sales spike in Chicago area; big jump in city prices – Chicago Sun-Times