If you are looking for a barometer of local economic conditions, try sales in real estate.

According to the Multiple Listing Service, new homes for sale in Jackson from January 1 to January 31 stood at 57, compared to 51 for the same period in 2016.

New homes sold year to date stands at nine compared to seven for the same period – January 1 to January 31 – in 2016.

Closed sales year to date – January 1 to January 31 – 60. The number is three higher than the first 31 days in January 2016.

The number of homes on the market, which includes all of Madison County, stands at 363, compared to 464 at the end of January 2016.

(PHOTO: New homes line Morgan Street in downtown Jackson)

David Thomas, Twitter – @DavidThomasWNWS

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