Closed home sales were up while prices were down during May on South Whidbey, according to the Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

Sales that were closed, or finalized, during May were 26, up from 23 in 2012. For all of 2013, 89 homes were sold this year, compared to 79 in 2012.

The prices of homes fell, however. In May 2013 the average sale price was $288,075, down from $339,795 in 2012. Year to date, the average sale price was $311,684, compared to $319,618 in 2012.

The median sale price (half higher and half lower) in May 2013 was $250,000, down from $325,000 in May 2012. The one bright spot price-wise for home sellers was in the median price category for year to date. Through May 2013 the median sale price was $278,500, up from $259,000 in 2012.

For all of Island County, 117 home sales were closed in May 2013, up from 88 in May 2012. Median sale price was $240,000, compared to $260,000 in May 2013. Median prices county-wide increased year to date, however, to $245,000 in 2013 from $225,000 in 20112.

All figures include both single-family homes and condominiums.

Pending sales, suggesting deals made later in the month that were not yet final, told a more positive story. On South Whidbey, pending home sales year to date through May totaled 163, up from 142 the year before. The median price of such sales jumped to $314,000 through May 2013, compared to $240,000 through May 2012.