The index is at the highest level since April 2010, when it hit 111.3 as buyers were rushing to beat the deadline for the home buyer tax credit. With the exception of several months affected by tax stimulus, the last time there was a higher reading was in February 2007 when the index reached 107.9.

On a year-over-year basis, pending home sales have risen for 19 consecutive months.
The upward momentum means existing-home sales should rise 8 to 9 percent in 2013 to approximately 5.1 million, following a 10 percent gain expected for all of 2012.

The median existing-home price is projected to rise just over 4 percent in 2013, after rising more than 7 percent in 2012.

Source: NAR