Although the number of sales slipped 1.2% from prior year levels, the mild winter weather brought an unexpected surge in first quarter pending sales. There were 5,209 signed contracts outstanding in the first quarter, 21.2% more than 4,297 in the prior year quarter. The unusual amount of pending sales activity this quarter may temper the levels of the second quarter, typically a high water mark for sales activity each year. Listing inventory slipped 4.1% to 20,358, the lowest first quarter total in six years…