The Real Estate Institute of Tasmania's December quarter report, due out today, shows the median house price in the suburb increased 93 per cent in 2011 to $690,000.

This is more than twice the statewide median of $305,000.

REIT president Adrian Kelly said the report highlighted the mixed messages of the Tasmanian property industry.

``Before Christmas, real estate agents were delighted to experience an increased level of interest from property owners to go on the market, accompanied by an increased attendance at open homes and auctions,'' he said.

``However, many buyers are still sitting tight and waiting to see which direction the market takes.''

Overall Launceston's median house price rose 3.7 per cent to $280,000 in the December quarter.

In the same period Hobart's median house price rose 5.8 per cent to $365,000.

Statewide the median house price was down 4.7 per cent for the year.

The number of houses going under the hammer was up by 3.2 per cent in the quarter.

Mr Kelly said while this was a positive sign, the figure was still down 9.4 per cent on the same time last year.

Launceston saw 213 houses sold during the quarter.

Units, flat and other dwellings proved hard to sell in Launceston with sales down 23.6 per cent for the quarter and 17.6 per cent down for the year.

However, prices for this category rose by 13.4 per cent to $232,500 in Launceston between October and December.

Kings Meadows ($261,000), Launceston City ($375,000), South Launceston ($263,000) and Trevallyn ($300,000) all saw their median house prices drop in 2011 by 9.8 per cent, 12.8 per cent, 6.1 per cent and 9.4 per cent respectively.

Meanwhile, Invermay's median price climbed 12.8 per cent to $249,223.

TOP 10 GROWTH AREAS

(In median price terms for 2011.)

East Launceston: 93.0 per cent

Seven Mile Beach: 35.5 per cent

South Arm: 30.9 per cent

Waverley: 26.5 per cent

Lauderdale: 15.9 per cent

Tranmere: 15.2 per cent

Invermay: 12.8 per cent

Mount Nelson: 9.1 per cent

Ravenswood: 8.3 per cent

West Hobart: 8.2 per cent