Home sales increased slightly in September, with a 3 percent increase in contracts closed, according to the Des Moines Area Association of Realtors (DMAAR). However, 320 fewer contracts were closed than in September 2009.

“For the first time since June, we saw a dip in pending sales,” said DMAAR Vice President Les Sulgrove in a news release. “For the year, however, we’re still just 2.9 percent below the number of homes sold at this time last year.”

The average sale price was $168,516 in September, as opposed to $176,932 in August, and prices are expected to remain steady the rest of the year.