Homes sales rose 7.3 percent in February across the Coachella Valley compared to February, 2010, bucking a downward trend in Southern California and the nation.

The Palms Springs area is a unique resort area and we are definitely seeing an increase in sales this year in a variety of price ranges.  People want to live here; it's not like they have to live here.  Analysts with DataQuick and the California Association of Realtors say that there appears to be enough potential demand that the pace of home sales is expected to increase over the next several months.

Low prices, low mortgage rates, available credit, sign of job growth and improving consumer confidence are among factors that could help boost home sales this spring, said John Walsh, DataQuick President.