383 homes and condos were sold last month... According to the Rockford Area Association of Realtors.

That's an 11 percent spike from October last year. The average sales price also jumped to over 130-thousand.

That's the highest value since January.

The number of signed contracts.. or pending sales.. also increased last month. Real estate expert Steve Bois says these are all positive signs.

" I think the incentive program the $8000 credit has had a positive impact on both buyers and sellers.. we hope that continues. We think that's an important factor going forward."

Bois says 40 percent of all local home sales are first-time buyers. The tax break expires at the end of this month.. but Congress is considering an extension and expansion.