Signs indicate W. Washington housing stabilizing

KIRKLAND — The Northwest Multiple Listing Service reports housing prices are showing signs of stabilizing in Western Washington.

The broker-owned service in Kirkland reported 6,900 pending sales in April in its 19-county region. That’s up 21 percent from March and 11 percent from a year ago. Pending sales are agreements that haven’t yet closed.

The median price for houses and condos was $270,000, about the same as in March but still down 13 percent from a year ago. Inventory is down 18 percent.

The listing service says lower prices, low mortgage rates and an $8,000 first-time buyer tax credit have spurred consumers to act.