The housing market in Cherokee County is cooling off, but remains hotter than it was at this point a year ago.

There were 176 house sales reported in the county last month, according to the First Multiple Listing Service, a data services provider for real estate professionals. The total could climb higher as not all sales are reported right away.

Sales are down from 181 reported in July and 207 in August of last year. So far this year, 1,613 houses have sold in Cherokee County, up from 1,541 through August 2009.

The average sale price of a home in the county last month was $222,682, an increase from $212,164 in July but a decrease from $228,309 in August last year.

There were 502 new listings on the market in Cherokee in August, falling from 533 in July and 549 in August 2009. This year so far, 4,563 new listings have been made in the county, down from 4,705 at this point a year ago.

Wanda Roach, a real estate agent with Century 21 Max Stancil Realty in Woodstock, said the economic environment is making people reluctant to buy.

"People are scared" of losing their jobs, she said. "They are holding on to their money. That is a huge issue right now."

Kelly Goodson, a real estate agent with ReMax Town & Country in Woodstock, said sales could be more difficult in the coming months as well. She noted that the Federal Housing Administration will increase its monthly mortgage insurance premium next month.

"The rules are getting stricter," she said about lending, adding that in 15 years, August was "one of the slowest months I have ever seen."

Tom O'Rourke, executive for the Cherokee Association of Realtors, said the housing market will remain soft for months.

"The recovery is going to be a long fix," he said, adding the high number of foreclosures and short sales continue to drive down values.

"There is still pent-up demand, but buyers are not coming back in to the market," he said.