In the strongest January market in several years, Illinois home sales and median prices posted robust year-over-year increases, despite lower inventory levels, according to the Illinois Association of REALTORS.  Statewide home sales, including single-family homes and condominiums, in January 2016 totaled 8,247 homes sold, up 3 percent from January 2015. The last time January home sales were higher was in 2013.  According to the data, only 35 Illinois counties reported sales gains for January 2016 over previous-year numbers.  This was not true for Washington County, as only 2 homes sold last month, compared with 4 homes sold last January.  There were 7 homes sold in December.  The statewide median price in January was $164,000 up 9.3 percent from January 2015.  Statewide median prices have notched year-over-year increases for the last 41 months.  The median is a typical market price where half the homes sold for more and half sold for less.  55 counties showed year-over-year median price increases and this was the case in Washington County, as the 2 homes sold averaged $130,750, much higher than last January’s average of $46,000.  It was $62,000 in December.  The time it took to sell a home in January averaged 79 days, down from 83 days a year ago.  It was much higher in Washington County at 138 days for the 2 homes that sold.  It was shorter at 93 days in January 2015, while it averaged 136 days for the 7 homes in December.  So, for Washington County, sales began the month with a drop, but the average price increased and the average time to sell was relatively unchanged from the end of last year.