The national market saw a five percent decrease in new home sales, but Lawrence did not. Thomas Howe, real estate consultant for Reece & Nichols, said Lawrence bucked the national trend of declining home sales in January. It was expected that milder weather would help increase home sales. Howe said the mild weather in Lawrence did increase the number of people shopping for new homes. However, Howe said the issue now is trying to meet all the needs of home buyers.