TAMPA - Sharply lower prices and government incentives helped boost the pace of existing home and condo sales in Florida, marking several quarters of growth.

Sales of existing single-family homes in Florida rose 23 percent in the second quarter of 2009 compared with the year-ago figure, marking four quarters of consecutive growth. Home sales in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater area picked up 24 percent, though the median price fell 22 percent to $137,000, according to the latest housing statistics from the Florida Association of Realtors.

Statewide, condo sales picked up 29 percent compared with the same time the previous year, the third consecutive quarter for increased sales statewide in both the existing home and condo markets. Tampa-area condo sales rose 36 percent to 1,849 units compared with a year before, while the median price fell 24 percent to $107,900.

Sixteen of Florida's markets saw increased sales of existing homes in the second quarter compared with the same three-month period a year earlier, while 12 markets showed gains in condo sales.

There were signs of life in the market nationally, with home sales growing in 39 states, though foreclosures and distressed sales made up more than one-third of all sales in the second quarter.

Total quarterly sales rose 3.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.76 million, up from 4.58 million in the first quarter, but were still about 3 percent below a year ago, the National Association of Realtors said Wednesday.

Sales posted quarterly gains of 20 percent or more in Idaho, Hawaii, New York, Wisconsin and Nebraska. But Alaska, Wyoming, California, Colorado and Michigan dropped by at least 6 percent.

Prices, however, were still down from a year ago in 129 of 155 metropolitan areas the group tracks. The median sale price in the quarter was $174,100, almost 16 percent below a year ago.

The biggest drop, of nearly 53 percent, was in Fort Myers.

Prices fell 35 percent or more in Phoenix, Riverside, Calif., and Las Vegas. The biggest price gain, of nearly 31 percent, was in Davenport, Iowa, followed by Cumberland, Md., at nearly 22 percent.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report. Reporter Richard Mullins can be reached at (813) 259-7919.