According to the Greater Augusta Association of Realtors, Augustans bought close to a hundred more homes in February than the previous month. And sales are also up from a year ago, defying both national and state trends.

In Georgia, home sales are down more than 3 percent from last year. That’s after the state saw a boost in sales last October when the original deadline for first-time-buyer tax credits was set to expire. Now that deadline has been extended.

Walter Malony with the National Association of Realtors says the surge in Augusta could be a sign of what’s to come across Georgia.

"We are hearing that traffic is picking up and we’re looking for another surge this spring," said Malony. "The question is will it be as strong as the one we saw back in the fall."

In order to qualify for the tax credit a buyer must have a purchasing contract signed by April 30th.

Tags: real estate, Augusta, tax credit, first time buyer tax credit, National Association of Realtors, Walter Malony