Positive economic numbers, specifically concerning the housing market, are coming out of Rock County.

Home sales in Rock County have not only risen for the past seven months in a row, but sales are up a whopping 20 percent over this time last year.

And February 2012 is set to continue the positive trend, as the president of the Rock-Green Realtors Association said they are already seeing a 7 percent increase in sales this month, and that's with several days still to go.

That's undeniably good news for local homeowners looking to sell, like Dave and Tammara Tiffany of Janesville's northeast side.

From the sunroom to the brand new kitchen, the Tiffanys have put a lot of work into their open concept home now on the market.

"That's our goal, we want someone to fall in love with this home," said David.

Regarding the many improvements the couple has made to the home, Tammara added, "We are HGTV junkies."

Tammara said it's been tough making their four bedroom home stand out in such a competitive market.

"It's been on the market since April," said Tammara. "It's been a challenge. The realtor says with so many foreclosures in the market, people like to buy a home for $60,000."

Their hard work may finally be paying off, as eight couples checked out their place just last Sunday.

"I'm more optimistic than I have been, due to the activity we've been experiencing," said Dave.

There are other reasons for sellers like the Tiffanys to be optimistic, according to Jerry Morse, president of the Rock-Green Realtors Association.

"There seems to be some confidence the economy is improving," Morse said.

Morse said that from July 2011 to January 2012, home sales have continued to go up in Rock County.

Morse credits low interest rates and a decrease in unemployment.

"It looks to me like sales and maybe even prices will be higher than in 2011, and if that continues, maybe we're on the way to recovery," said Morse.

Morse has been a realtor since the 1970s and said today's rates are some of the lowest he's ever seen.

That's good news for folks like the Tiffanys. Even though their house hasn't sold yet, Dave said there is at least one bright spot to the wait: It has given him a chance to spend a little more time in a home he's proud to have built nearly 30 years ago.

"I actually got to enjoy all of the things we did to get this house ready," said Dave. "So it's market ready, and I got to enjoy it, too, so that was a bonus."

According to the Wisconsin Realtors Association, for the month of January, home sales in Dane County only went up a little more than 1 percent compared to the 22 percent increase enjoyed in Rock County.