The sale of new homes in Rome was up in February, compared to the same month last year. Unfortunately, the foreclosure and 90-day delinquency rates were also up over year over year.

Ruth Terry, president of the Greater Rome Board of Realtors, said 44 homes were sold in February up from 37 in February 2009.

At the same time First American CoreLogic is reporting the foreclosure rate for January was 1.55 percent, up from 1.12 percent in January a year ago.

Perhaps more alarming though was the 90-day delinquency rate, which was reported at 6.26 percent in January, up from 4.54 percent in January of last year. Both figures are well below both the state and national rates.

Terry reminded that prospective first-time homebuyers are running out of time to take advantage of an $8,000 tax credit. Contracts must be signed by April 30.

In addition to the first-time buyer credit, buyers who have been in their existing home for more than five years and opt to purchase a new principal place of residence will be eligible for a $6,500 tax credit if they can have a contract signed by the end of April.

Bill Temple at Toles, Temple and Wright Real Estate said the tax credit is one of the things driving sales right now.

“I saw more movement in February than I did in November, December and January combined,” said Temple. “I hope it’s not a blip.”

Temple also suggested there may well be a number of people who have moved into Rome and Floyd County in the last year or so who are still renting because they haven’t been able to sell their previous home.

Tony Miller, a senior mortgage banker at Henger Rast, 2012 Redmond Circle, said Monday that mortgage rates for 30-year fixed rate notes were still hovering at 4.75 percent Monday and 15-year fixed rate mortgages can be picked up for 4.25 percent.

A number of items that could impact mortgage rates are on the calendar for this week.

The 10-year Treasury note auction takes place Wednesday, with the Treasury set to sell some $21 billion in 10-year notes. New unemployment data is slated for released Thursday followed by a report on retail spending Friday.