The nation's economy could be to blame for a slowing local housing market.

A new report shows home sales declined drastically in November in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, compared to the previous year.

Last month, 40 homes were sold in the area. That's compared to 108 the previous November, which is a drop of more than 60 percent.

The report, compiled by Scott Rogers of Coldwell Banker Funkhouser Realtors, indicates last year's brisk sales were unusually high.

Though the number of sales dropped, average sales prices are holding steady.

Rogers says, "So, there is still somewhat of a stalemate of buyers and sellers to some extent. Some sellers are holding their prices a little higher than perhaps they should be priced, and some buyers are not wanting to try to negotiate. So, you have that gap that likely could be bridged, but it just isn't happening."

Rogers says national economic troubles are influencing local buyers.

"We certainly haven't seen the economic or employment losses that have happened in other parts of the country, which is good, but I think a lot of buyers are still kind of hesitant and waiting to see what will happen politically, economically, with a lot of factors that are going on," says Rogers.

Rogers says November was the lowest month for sales in the last six years.

However, there is good news. Among homes being sold, the average number of days houses spend on the market is holding steady at 166, which is below the national average.