Pittsburgh area real estate showed signs of a turnaround in October as last-minute buyers apparently scrambled to take advantage of the $8,000 federal tax credit that was originally set to expire in November.

Buying activity in Allegheny County jumped 18.1 percent in October with $227.1 million spent on housing compared with October 2008, when $192.3 million changed hands, according to RealSTATs, an information service that compiles data on local real estate transactions.

The substantial jump in Allegheny County sales combined with a 6.4 percent increase in Westmoreland County offset modest drops in Beaver, Butler and Washington counties to boost the five-county region 9.7 percent, according to RealSTATs.

"The first-time home buyer tax credit, I think, is what's driving the spike," said Dan Murrer, vice president of RealSTATs. "I expect November will show a similar jump in dollar activity."

The 18.1 percent spike is the most significant sales growth for Pittsburgh area real estate since March 2007. Housing data from October shows the median home sale price in Allegheny County was $116,500, which suggests the bulk of home sales were in the first-time buyer price range.

The $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers was set to expire the end of this month, but was extended until April 30. New home buyers who are now recording their deeds, however, did not know Congress would grant an extension while they were rushing to close on their homes in October.

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