Today, the National Association of Real Estate Agents released its quarterly statistics on median sales prices (for single family homes) in metropolitan regions around the country.

First time buyers were responsible for half the sales in the first quarter of 2009, according to the association. Below are median sales prices for the Washington D.C.-area going back a few years. Note the 25 percent drop between the first quarter of 2008 and the first quarter of 2009.

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

2006: 431.0
2007: 430.8
2008: 343.4

2008 Q1: 372.5
2008 Q2: 371.1
2008 Q3: 333.0
2008 Q4: 295.1
2009 Q1: 279.4