Sales of existing homes in Lubbock appear to be on pace to produce one of the stronger performances of the decade, according to the Lubbock Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service.

Area real estate agents closed 257 sales in November with a total dollar volume of $34.03 million, compared with 151 sales in November 2008 and a total dollar volume of $19.87 million.

Last month's sales activity seemed to be driven by a push to close deals before the scheduled end Nov. 30 of an $8,000 federal tax credit for first-time homebuyers. Congress last month extended the tax credit into 2010.

Nearly half of the sales closed at what would be considered "starter home" prices - between $80,000 and $139,999.

The average sale price in November was $132,435, down from $136,400 in October. The average price for November 2008 was $131,608.

Year-to-date sales totaled 3,130 homes with combined volume of $415.57 million, compared with 3,044 sales and total volume of $405.86 million for the first 11 months of 2008.

According to the Realtors' figures, compiled for the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University, sales activity in 2008 totaled 3,245 homes and a total volume of $439.54 million.