Area housing market heats up with weather

Riding the tail of a federal homebuyers tax credit, Whitman County home sales saw a sharp uptick in the second quarter of 2010.

The quarterly report issued last week by the Washington Center for Real Estate Research showed a 20 percent increase in home sales from the first quarter 2010, and a nine percent increase over second quarter 2009.

Center Director Glenn Crellin believed the rise in sales was a direct result of home buyers taking advantage of the tax credit.

“Definitely the major player here and throughout the state was the continuation of the tax credit,” said Crellin.

To qualify for t...