TAMPA - Tampa Bay area home sales edged up 17 percent in August as home prices fell by the same amount.

There were 2,370 homes that changed hands in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metro area, up from 2,029 during the same month a year ago, according to data released Thursday by the Florida Association of Realtors.

Prices, meanwhile, continued to drop. The median sales price - the point at which half sold for more, half for less - was $144,600. That's down from $173,900 in August 2008.

Two years ago, the Tampa area had 1,154 home sales in August. That was a 29 percent drop. The median sales price, however, was much higher. It dropped 8 percent that month to a median of $214,100.

Statewide, August sales rose 28 percent, the 12th consecutive increase. Prices fell 22 percent to a median sales price of $147,400.

"This is encouraging news, and while it shows the beginnings of recovery, the housing market still needs time to continue its gradual absorption of housing inventory that will help stabilize home prices," said Cynthia Shelton president of the real estate group.

But while Florida saw improvement, the nation did not.

Home resales dipped unexpectedly in August after a four-month streak of gains, providing evidence that the housing recovery remains fragile.

Sales dropped 2.7 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.1 million in August, from a pace of 5.24 million in July, the National Association of Realtors said Thursday. Compared with a year ago, however, home sales are up 3.4 percent.

The results surprised analysts, who had expected sales to rise to an annual pace of 5.35 million, according to Thomson Reuters.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report. Reporter Shannon Behnken can be reached at (813) 259-7804.