There is a silver lining to the economy in the Valley.

September was the first month this year in which combined home sales in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County were higher than last year.

Home sales in the area have been tracking about 20-percent lower than 2007, but in September, they were higher than the same month last year.

Real estate experts say some people are starting to take advantage of the dropping home prices and low interest rates for mortgages.