The National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) index for pending sales of used homes increased by 6.0 percent to 110.9 in April, the third consecutive monthly gain.

First-time homebuyers stimulated by federal tax credits before the April 30 deadline helped surpass the anticipated 5 percent increase set by economists surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires.

“There were concerns that only a small pool of buyers were left to take advantage of the tax credit,” said Lawrence Yun, chief economist, NAR. “But evidently the tax stimulus, combined with improved consumer confidence and low mortgage interest rates, are contributing to surging sales.”

March pending home sales were revised upwards by 7.1 percent to 104.6. Year-over-year, the index was 22.4 percent above its level of 90.6 in April 2009.