Real estate recordings during the month of January that ended Thursday were the highest in eight years.  County Recorder Bob Bambenek said the recordings jumped by 21% from January of 2012 to 817, compared to 674 recordings a year ago.
                     
Bambenek said property sales and mortgages increased the most caused by the lowest home interest rates in history.  Foreclosures in the county increased by seven in January compared to 10 foreclosures in January of 2012.