Home sales ended a difficult year on a high note, resulting in a gain in full-year sales volume.

The National Association of Realtors reported that the annual sales pace in December reached 4.6 million homes, up 5% from November's pace and 3.6% from a year ago.

It was the third straight month of improvement in the pace of sales. The fourth-quarter sales volume lifted full-year sales to 4.26 million homes, up 1.7% from 2010 levels.

"The pattern of home sales in recent months demonstrates a market in recovery," said Lawrence Yun, the group's chief economist. "Record low mortgage interest rates, job growth and bargain home prices are giving more consumers the confidence they need to enter the market."

Snip: Less than 50%.

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[link to finance.yahoo.com]