WASHINGTON, D.C. ?EUR??,,????'??+ Sales of new and existing condominiums jumped almost 13 percent during the first nine months of 2003 and, according to a recent report prepared by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), that upward trend is likely to continue through the new year. Existing condo and co-op sales rose an unprecedented 12.9 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 971,000 units in the third quarter of 2003, up from the previous record of 860,000 in the second quarter. Production has been slower to ramp up, however; 33,000 multifamily condos and co-ops have been started so far this year, compared to 35,000 started in the first nine months of 2002. David Seiders, NAHB chief economist, suggested that the sales trend may continue, at least in the near term, thanks to strong price appreciation in the market. ?EUR??,,????'??The benefits of low mortgage rates have encouraged buyers for condos in the same way as for single-family homes, but condo supply hasn?EUR??,,????'???t kept pace with demand,?EUR??,,????'?? Seiders said. ?EUR??,,????'??This lag has continued to add upward pressure to condo prices in many markets.?EUR??,,????'?? Median condo resale prices rose 10 percent in 2001 (to $123,200) and 15 percent in 2002 (to $142,200), and have been climbing throughout 2003, averaging $161,000 through the first nine months of the year. ?EUR??,,????'??That's an increase of 15.2 percent compared to the same period in 2002,?EUR??,,????'?? Seiders added. ?EUR??,,????'??Year-to-date resale prices for single family homes increased by only eight percent.?EUR??,,????'??