Whatcom County home sales continued a strong start to 2013, according to a new report.

Local real estate agents sold 143 houses and condominiums last month, an 11.7 percent increase compared to February 2012, according to Northwest Multiple Listing Service. Last month's total was also one more than January, which was the busiest January since 2008.

The median price for the houses and condos sold in February was $233,500, up 6.7 percent compared to a year earlier.

Whatcom County also posted 355 new home listings last month, up 34 percent compared to February 2012.

Across the 21 counties the NWMLS serves, 4,205 homes and condos were sold last month, up 9.3 percent compared to a year earlier. The median price was $247,500, up 13 percent compared to February 2012.

Reach Business Editor Dave Gallagher at 360-715-2269 or dave.gallagher@bellinghamherald.com. Read his business blog at blogs.bellinghamherald.com/business or follow him on Twitter at @bhamheraldbiz.