A report from the Iowa Association of Realtors shows the number of homes listed for sale dropped by more than 11 percent in January compared to one year ago. But association president, Krista Clark, says listings were up compared to December.

Rising interest rates help slow things down in the housing market — but they appear to have leveled out.

Clark says you have to understand that rates had been at historic lows.

Clark says the slowdown in the market was a good thing.

Clark says she is optimistic about spring after weathering the slowdown.

The days on the market increased to 48 days in January, compared to 38 days last month and 40 days in January last year. Median sales prices increased four-point-seven percent compared to last January and were 190-thousand-500 dollars. Clark is a realtor in Newton.