The number of single-family homes put under agreement statewide in February was up 16 percent over the same time last year, while pending sales of condominiums rose 25 percent, marking the eighth straight month of increases from a year earlier, according to the Massachusetts Association of Realtors (MAR).

"The only way we are going to get back to more normal market levels is to have buyers making the choice to purchase a home," said 2010 MAR President Kevin Sears, broker/co-owner of Sears Real Estate in Springfield. "As the February numbers indicate, this is what is happening. Buyers are looking at the market conditions and evaluating them against the desire to own a home and are increasingly making the decision that now is the time."

The number of single-family homes put under agreement in February was up 16 percent compared to the same time last year (2,999 homes in 2009 to 3,489 homes in 2010). On a month-to-month basis, single-family homes put under agreement were up 25 percent from 2,791 homes in January.

The number of condos put under agreement in February was up 25 percent compared to February 2009 (1,147 units in 2009 to 1,434 units in 2010). On a month-to-month basis, condos put under agreement were up 20.1 percent from 1,194 units in January.