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A Muncie realtor said the number of new home sales is declining in Delaware County. This decline is a nationwide trend, marking some of the lowest housing sales numbers in the last half century.

The Commerce Department reported today that new home sales dropped 11.2 percent in January. According to the study, this number was predicted to rise 5 percent last month. Economists are searching for an explanation - saying that it all leads back to unemployment.

Trends in Delaware County

Delaware County has experienced a decrease in housing sales, said Cindy Landis, a realtor at Property House in Muncie. She said that unemployment and the state of the economy are two big factors for the declining house market.

 "Of course, we think it will turn around," Landis said, "But, I think it's going to be another year and a half or so."

Numbers across the state

Delaware County's decrease in housing sales matches with the rest of the county. However, it differs from the Commerce Department's report.

January New Housing Sales Regional Report:

Northeast - Down 35%

West - Down 12%

South - Down 10%

Midwest - Up 2.1%