OTTAWA — The Canadian Real Estate Association says the number of homes sold in September edged up compared with August as sales picked up in about half of all local markets.

The association says sales through its Multiple Listing Service in September were up 2.1% compared with the previous month.

The increase was led by gains in Greater Vancouver and Vancouver Island, the Greater Toronto Area, London and St. Thomas, Ont., and Barrie, Ont.

Compared with a year ago, sales in September were down 11 per cent as the number of homes sold were down in close to three-quarters of all local markets.

The national average price for homes sold in September was just over $487,000, up 2.8% from a year ago.

Excluding Greater Vancouver and Greater Toronto, the average price was just over $374,500.

Canada Homes Sales Down 11% from Last Year as 75% of Local Markets Decline by The Canadian Press | Financial Post