The California Association of Realtors (CAR) reported this week that California’s existing home sales ticked up in September 2016 on a year-over-year basis for the first time in seven months as a shortage of homes available for sale continues to hold back the market.

Existing, single-family home sales totaled 425,680 in September on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate, up 1.3% from August and 0.8% from September 2015. Meanwhile, September’s statewide median home price was $514,320, down 2.3% from August but up 6.1% from September 2015.

Statewide sales of condos and townhomes fell 8.5% from August but were up 1.4% from September a year ago.

Home sales in the state remained above the 400,000 pace for the sixth straight month, and the year-over-year increase was the first since January.

“While higher sales both on a monthly and an annual basis is a glimmer of good news, with most of the home-buying season behind us for 2016, it’s not enough to tip the scales for an increase above 2015’s sales pace,” said CAR President Pat Zicarelli.

“With listings continuing to decline and demand still strong, especially at the lower end of the market, affordability will remain a challenge for would-be buyers”, he added.