The National Association of Realtors says January home sales in the Midwest plummeted 37 percent from December’s figure, but sales were still up nearly 4 percent over the previous year.

There were 54,000 sales in the 11-state region last month, and the median sales price improved more than 2 percent, to $162,700.

The Midwest sales figures were slightly weaker than the national ones. According to figures that are not seasonally adjusted, total home sales nationwide in January fell 33 percent compared with December totals, but they improved 7 percent on an annual basis. The median home price nationally gained nearly 3 percent, to $212,000.

The Associated Press-Re/Max Monthly Housing Report shows annual sales fell in 11 of 12 major Midwestern cities.