Marking the highest level of sales since the housing boom year of 2006, 5.1 million previously owned homes sold in 2013, up 9.2% from 2012 and almost 20% more than 2011, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). As CNNMoney informs MHProNews, in the first month-over-month increase since July, December sales were up slightly over November. The median price of a home sold during the year rose to $197,100, an increase of 11.4 percent. Distressed home sales dropped from nearly 25 percent to 14 percent within the year.

(Photo credit: mattheafey.com)