PORTLAND — Sales of houses and the prices of homes are both rising in Maine.

The Maine Association of Realtors says sales of existing one-family homes rose 16 percent during the first quarter of this year compared to last year.

The association also says the average price rose about 5.5 percent in that time.

Maine Association of Realtors president Ed Gardner says city center areas are growing the fastest. He tells Maine Public Broadcasting Network remote rural areas such as Aroostook County have benefited the least from the improving market.

The highest median value in the quarter was in Cumberland County at $245,000.

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