The number of single-family home sales on Maui remained unchanged in October from a year earlier, though prices continued to descend as uneasiness grows among consumers in the slumping economy.

Maui recorded 79 single-family home sales last month, the same number as a year earlier, while the median price paid was $510,000, down from $585,000 last year. This compares to 65 units sold in September with a median price of $537,500.

“;Considering the financial news of the last 60 days, the pending election outcome and everything else, we are in a state of uncertainty,”; said Terry Tolman, chief staff executive of the Realtors Association of Maui Inc., which released the report yesterday.

Meanwhile, the island reported 46 condominium sales, down by more than half from 112 in the year-earlier period. The median price paid for a condo last month was $402,500, compared to $552,000 a year earlier. In September, 50 units were sold at a median price of $388,500.

There were four land sales in October with a median price of $590,000, down from 16 sales a year earlier with a median price of $432,500. That's up from seven units sold in September with a $290,500 median price.

Despite a slump in unit sales, days on the market indicate that properties priced right will sell in a reasonable time frame, according to the report.

“;The big thing is for people not to panic in the overall financial situation and to make sure to stay current with their mortgage payments and cut back on extra discretionary spending,”; Tolman said.