By Todd Wineburner

The Illinois Association of Realtors announced this week that home sales for the state in 2012 were up when compared to 2011 figures. 22.9 percent more transactions were closed, and the association says the figures are a sign that consumers are again looking for homes to buy.

David Wayman is the president of the Livingston County Board of Realtors, and he says the same thing is true in this area. Numbers in 2012 were actually down slightly from 2011, but Wayman says Livingston county has a reputation for having a very steady residential real estate market, and the latest numbers support that idea. He says the market in the area is active right now, in spite of the cold temperatures. Wayman says increased confidence in the economy and low interest rates are probably the primary factors driving sales.

The average value of a home sold in 2012 in Illinois was up slightly. In 2011, 138,000 dollars was the median price. In 2012, that moved up 1000 dollars to 139, 000.