The Shoals housing market got off to a good start in 2013, based on January data compiled by the Alabama Center for Real Estate.

There were 107 homes sold in the Shoals during January. That total is five more than the previous month.

The difference is much more noticeable when compared to January 2012, when 80 houses were sold in Colbert and Lauderdale counties. That’s an increase of 33.75 percent during the 12-month period.

That increase was the second best among real estate associations statewide. Decatur showed a 62 percent increase — 50 sold in January 2012 and 81 this January — but did not sell the volume of homes as were sold in the Shoals.

Statewide, 6.7 percent more homes were sold in January (2,526) than 12 months earlier.