Lawrence Yoon

In its monthly report on existing home sales, the National Association of Realtors said in November home sales increased 0.5 percent for a seasonally adjusted rate of 4.13 million homes.

Sales increased in the Northeast and South, but showed no change in the West and actually fell a bit in the Midwest.

NAR chief economist Lawrence Yoon said the increase in sales could be explained by lower mortgage rates, while a decrease in the number of unsold units was likely due to homeowners holding off listing their homes for sale during the winter.

The NAR says the median home price in the U.S.

is at just under $410,000.

Scott Newman, NPR News, Washington.