Real estate, car sales data indicate strong finish to 2012

As we start closing the books on 2012, some of the local economic numbers indicate a strong end.

Residential real estate agents had a busy final month to cap off what was the busiest year in terms of sales since 2007. Sales of new cars also were strong in the second half of 2012 through at least November. Bankruptcies also continued to tail off locally.

However, foreclosure filings were on the rise at the end of 2012.