The year-over-year comparisons have been strong in recent months in large part because of the influence of the federal homebuyer tax credits.

The credits expired at the end of June last year, and sales were depressed for about six months afterward.

But the market has also benefited from reduced supply, which can pull more buyers off the sidelines.

The number of homes listed for sale in November was 19 percent lower than the same period a year ago.

Still, a lack of qualified buyers continues to put downward pressure on prices and drag out the selling process.

The average price of the homes that sold in November was $228,600, down 11 percent from a year ago.

The average days on the market for the homes that did sell was 129 days, up from 110 days a year ago.

Cash buyers also continue to make up a sizable percentage of closings.

There were 217 cash closings in November, up 13 percent from a year ago.

The winter months are typically the slowest period of the year, but SteveNicewarner, a real estate agent in Durham forWeichert, Realtors-Mark ThomasProperties, said he’s been pleasantly surprised with the level of activity.

“It seems to me we’re not seeing that dip that we normally see,” he said. “It’s just kind of staying flat. We’re seeing some people leave the market, both sellers and buyers. But not as many as we normally do.”

Nicewarner said he’s also seeing more of a type of buyer that’s been scarce in recent yeas: investors.

“We’re starting to see a little bit more of that,” he said.

“Because, let’s be honest, where else are they going to go? The stock market’s notdoing all that well either.”