Evidence points to an overall improvement in the Northwest real estate market but last month’s sales showed a 2.7 percent drop from one year prior. Such a decrease could be due to the federal government shutdown that plagued the country in early October, according to the Northwest Multiple Listing Services (NWMLS). The reduction represents the first negative year-to-year comparison since April 2011.

Overall October home sales rose almost 3.2 percent from September, according to NWMLS.

Closed sales in Pierce County numbered 700, as opposed to the 551 counted previously. The median cost of a home was raised 8.6 percent. The year-to-date average cost of a home in Pierce County is currently $345,846. The county is broken up into sections, some of which have averages as low as $140,000 and others as high as $530,000.

Likewise, there were 1,781 closed sales in King County, compared to 1,429 previously. A total cost raise of 12.5 percent was seen.

Industry experts seem to agree the NWMLS market is transforming from one of low ball offers and rapid paced sales to a sustainable, healthy level.

“We are two years into what has been a very steady recovery. It’s OK and actually healthy to have a slight slowdown,” Mike Gain said president and CEO of Prudential Northwest Realty Associates.

One challenge the market faces is low inventory and high demand, according to RE/MAX Professionals Principal Managing Broker Dick Beeson.

“It still looks like a potential housing shortage in Puget Sound come 2015 if building doesn’t increase,” Beeson said.