Sales of existing homes in February fell by 20 percent from the same period a year ago, according to the latest figures released today by the Maine Real Estate Information System.

The statewide median sales price also slid last month, to $190,000, a 2 percent drop from $193,950 a year ago.

A Realtor associated with the trade group, John Hatcher of Keller Williams Realty in Portland, cited the harsh winter weather and negative media reports about the housing market as factors in the decline.

Nationwide, home prices fell nearly 23 percent in February. The median price decreased by nearly 9 percent, to $193,900, according to the National Association of Realtors.

In Maine, sales for the three-month period ending in February were off nearly 24 percent, and median prices for the quarter were down roughly 2 percent, to $188,000.