The Des Moines Area Association of Realtors said 1,034 houses sold last month in Greater Des Moines, up from 1,032 in September and 1,021 in October 2014. Contracts to buy a house rose to 1,023 in October from 969 in September and 882 a year ago. The median sales price was $179,450, compared with $177,750 in September and $161,500 in October 2014. The pace of sales slowed a tad to 59 days on the market from 45 in September, but still was an increase from the 85 days on the market for houses that sold in October 2014.