Sales of single family homes in west Bellevue for November increased both over the previous month and the same month a year ago, according to the latest report from Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

The medial sales price of a west Bellevue home last month was $1,365,000. Last month the median price was $908,000. A year ago the median price was $1,075,000.

In east Bellevue, the median sales price of a single family home was $467,500 in November. Last month the median price was $490,000. A year ago, the median price was $524,975.

Pending sales for November tapered off from October’s surge during the rush to beat a looming tax credit deadline.

There were 37 pending sales in November 2009 in west Bellevue compared with 40 in October. In east Bellevue, there were 38 pending sales in November, compared with 55 in October.

New listings were down in both areas. In west Bellevue, there were 41 new listings of single family homes in November, compared with 59 in October 2009. In east Bellevue there were 59 new listings, down from 90 the month before.

For condos, the median sales price in west Bellevue was $396,500 in November, down from a median price of $500,000 in October. In east Bellevue, the median sales price was $299,950, up from $275,000 in October.

There were fewer pending sales in both areas in November from October. New listing also were down in both areas.

“This winter will not be ‘business as usual’ for the housing market,” said Lennox Scott, chairman and CEO of John L. Scott Real Estate. “Thanks to historically low interest rates, adjusted home prices, and the passage of the extended/expanded tax credit, we are getting a running start on the New Year,” he added.

(Last month, Congress passed new legislation that extends the first-time home buyer tax credit of up to $8,000 to buyers who purchase by April 30, 2010. The legislation also authorized a tax credit of up to $6,500 for qualified repeat home buyers.)

Although seasonal slowdowns are typical for housing activity, industry experts say now can be a good time for both sellers and buyers. Buyers tend to encounter less competition for the most desirable homes. Also, qualified buyers can expect above-normal attention from service providers who are experiencing a slowdown in their business, including lenders, home inspectors, appraisers and title companies. Lenders may even be willing to extend very favorable mortgage terms or forgo some fees as they vie for business.

Agents are able to devote more time to clients and the smaller selection of homes on the market. Sellers can also benefit from showcasing their homes with tasteful holiday decorations, although home stagers caution them to show restraint and not overdo the décor.

Other advantages may be faster closings by lenders who are motivated to add transactions to their 2009 books, and tax deductions.

Northwest Multiple Listing Service, owned by its member brokers, is the largest full-service MLS in the Northwest.