The number of single-family homes and condominiums put under agreement in August went up for the fourth straight month compared to the same time in 2010, according to the Massachusetts Association of Realtors (MAR).

On a month-to-month basis, the number of single-family homes and condos put under agreement were also up from July.

"Despite fluctuating economic news, Massachusetts homebuyers are making smart decisions about the real estate market," said 2011 MAR President Laurie Cadigan, broker-owner of Barrett & Co. in Concord. "They see low interest rates and attractive pricing and fundamentally know that home ownership matters to their personal and economic well being."

The number of single-family homes put under agreement in August was up 7.14 percent compared to the same time last year (4,117 homes in 2010 to 4,411 homes in 2011). This is the fourth straight month of year-over-year increases.

The number of condos put under agreement in August was up 11 percent compared to August 2010 (1,435 units in 2010 to 1,587 units in 2011). Similar to single-family homes, this is the fourth straight month of year-over-year gains.