Home sales are up across the country, including here in Dothan.

If you still want to get in on this money-saving trend, there are some things you should know.

Home buyers are keeping realtors hopping.

Nationally, home sales increased 44-percent. Local realtors say the home buyer tax credit is really opening doors. Sales in dothan are up 40-percent.

V.P. of P.R., with the Dothan Assoc. of Realtors Thomas Griffin said, “Right now, there's been a definite surge of first time home buyers. There's a pick up of existing home buyers after December 1st when they initiated the new tax credit for existing homeowners as well as first time home buyers.”

The tax credit for a first-time home buyer of $8000 dollars and $6500 dollars for existing home buyers is motivating consumers to shop heavily in a certain price range.

Dothan realtors say they've seen a surge of interest in homes priced from $100,000 to $180,000 dollars and they expect that trend to continue.

“It's steady, constant phone calls; I was a little bit concerned last year this time, but this year has turned out to be terrific. I'm right on pace with my goals personally and I’m sure many of the realtors in this area are doing the same,” Griffin added.

Griffin says to take advantage of the tax credit and claim it on your 2009 tax return, you will need a pending contract by December 31st. To take advantage of the extension, the house needs to be under contract by April 30th and closed by July 1st of 2010.

For more information on federal housing tax credits for home buyers, log onto irs.gov.