HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) A real estate research group says single-family home sales in Connecticut increased by 1.7 percent in December, the fourth consecutive month that sales have increased year-over-year.

But The Warren Group also says the median price of a single-family home fell 2.1 percent, to $240,000.

A total of 2,196 single-family homes sold during the month compared with 2,160 in December 2013. It was the most sales for December since 2009.

The median price fell year-to-date 3.3 percent from $260,000 in the same timeframe last year.

Timothy M. Warren Jr., chief executive of The Warren Group, said he believes the price decline will change this year as more first time buyers look for good deals.

Condominium sales statewide posted a 4.9 percent increase in December, climbing to 603 condos from 575.