Once again, Midstate home sales are down compared to last year. The Greater Nashville Association of Realtors reports 26 percent fewer home sales closed in February than in the same month in 2007.

A look at figures for the year to date shows similar results-a 27 percent drop from last year.

But this month may bring some relief-the number of pending sales is the highest its been since October, and spring is traditionally a busy time for the real estate market.