Home sales in January are up almost 10% across the state when compared to last January. Charla Howard with Golden Crest Reality says the same is true for our area. She attributes it to a few things. First, the interest rates are at a low, which means its a good market for buyers.

But that’s good for sellers too. With high numbers of buyers looking at homes, they are selling quickly. She tells us that usually sales slow down over winter, but with the lack of a heavy winter and almost no snow or ice, sales have continued to increase during the months they normally slow down.

She also tells us that the USDA has programs for rural communities that can help with down payments and closing costs. For more on the home market in Southeast Iowa, listen to our In Touch program today.