Tampa Bay ended the year with 28,617 home sales, the briskest year for residential real estate since 2006, according to Florida Realtors.

Home prices continued to hold steady in December at $140,000, a level they maintained for most of 2009. The $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit gets part of the credit for the price stability. To use the credit, you must sign a purchase contract by April 30.

"Activity should ramp up for another surge in the spring when buyers take advantage of the expanded tax credit, which hopefully will take us into a self-sustaining market in the second half of 2010," said Lawrence Yun, economist with the National Association of Realtors.

"In all, 4.4 million households are expected to claim the tax credit before it expires, and balance should be restored to the housing sector with inventories continuing to decline."

The Tampa Bay housing market improved 21 percent in 2009, from 23,615 sales in 2008 to 28,617 in 2009. Florida home sales rose 31 percent year to year, from 124,168 to 163,148.

Tampa Bay home sales also improved in December from 1,857 in 2008 to 2,123 in 2009. It was the best December since 2006, when 2,607 homes sold.

Foreclosure and pre-foreclosure homes made up a large percentage of sales in 2009.