The Realtor Association of the Pioneer Valley reported a surprising late-year sales surge in the three counties which its members serve. According to its figures, year over year, October sales were up 30.6 percent in Hamden County, 33.8 percent in Hampshire County and a whopping 57.7 percent in Franklin County.

The increase in sales helped tighten up inventory, which dropped 6.4 percent from 3,058 single family listings at the end of October 2011 to 2,861 single family listings at the end of October 2012. Coupled with the increased demand, that helped squeeze months of supply down from 10.2 months at the end of October 2011 to 7.1 months at the end of October this year. Days on market were also down slightly, decreasing 1.6 percent from 185 days in October 2011 to 182 days in October 2012.