Triangle home sales continued to limp along in February as the market prepares to enter what has historically been the busiest period of the year.

There were 891 homes sold in February in Wake, Durham, Orange and Johnston counties, down 3 percent from the same period a year ago, Triangle Multiple Listing Service data show.

Showings were down 20 percent from a year ago. Pending sales were off 27 percent.

The numbers continue to suffer from a sluggish economy and the absence of federal home buyer tax credits.

Last year at this time, the government was offering credits to both first-time and repeat homebuyers.