MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - At the beginning of January, Ingham County released the number of foreclosures for 2013, which was significantly lower than previous years. Additionally, the sales of homes has also increased, suggesting that the housing market is back on the rise.

Curtis Hertel Jr. Ingham County Register of Deeds states, "The Ingham County housing market has improved greatly over the last year. We've seen a dramatic increase in home sales of 22%, a dramatic decrease in foreclosures for the first time since 2005; we've had less than a thousand people losing their homes to foreclosure in Ingham County."

Since a foreclosure on any house affects the value of the community as a whole, the County is trying to prevent as many foreclosures as possible.

For homeowners that are struggling to keep their homes, free financial counseling is available through the County by calling 2-1-1.