GOSHEN – Single-family home sales closed on in January in the counties of Rockland and Orange dipped two percent over January 2009 sales, according to the Greater Hudson Valley Multiple Listing Service.

That was seasonal, despite the otherwise sizeable increases during other recent months. And those were attributable to the federal tax credit, which continues through the end of April.

Orange County Board of Realtors’ CEO Ann Garti is skeptical that the increased sales will continue.

“I have a concern that it’s not enough to overcome people’s fear about their job status,” she said. “I think we really need to see an improvement in the unemployment numbers before we see an improvement in the housing market.”

Condo and townhouse sales rose by 26 percent in January in Rockland County, but fell by five percent in Orange County.