Real estate signs line streets all over the Valley. Augusta County Realtor Delene Adams says there are three times as many signs now as last year.

However, there may be some good news on the local and national real estate market.

Adams says, "Overall sales have picked up, contracts coming in, lots of positive things, lots of positive comments from other Realtors in the area."

With more houses on the market, Adams say we're seeing even more competitive prices. It may be a sign of what's to come.

Adams adds, "I think that what we'll steadily see an increase in sales and we're going to be in the positive next year."

Despite house sales numbers being down from last year just about all across the Valley, Realtors and economic forecasters say they've seen a steady increase in the past few months.

John McClain, from the George Mason University Center for Regional Analysis, says, "All signs are currently that we passed the bottom of the bad times."

He says he expects that trend to continue.

McClain adds, "It will gradually gain some momentum and traction and be back close to something normal by the second half of 2010."

Adams says, "It's encouraging. There are a lot of Realtors in the area that rely on their income from real estate sales."

Realtors from all over the state held a conference Thursday to address the numbers for the second quarter of 2009.