With in-person real estate activity shut down through much of the spring of last year, home sales in York and Adams counties this year remain well ahead of 2020’s pace.
In the first six months of 2021, 589 settlements were recorded in Adams County, 27% more than last year; in York County, 3,243 houses were sold, a 31% increase from 2020.
The gap was even more pronounced in June, according to the Realtors Association of York & Adams Counties.
The 125 homes sold in Adams County were 105% more than the 61 settlements recorded last June, and the 667 sales in York County exceeded the June 2020 total of 483 by 38%.
Elle Hale, association vice president, said in a release that “June is typically one of the busiest homebuying months of the year. The demand for a home purchase is widespread, multiple offers are prevalent, and days on market are swift. But the continued story surrounding real estate is a lack of inventory.”
For June, average days on market was five in York County and six in Adams County.
The percentage of list price received was 101.3% in Adams and 100% in York.
The inventory shortage continues to boost prices. The median sales price in June in Adams County was $265,000, an 18% increase over last year. In York, the median sales price was $228,000, which was 11% more than in 2020.
Through the first two quarters of 2021, the Adams County median sales price climbed 12%, to $240,000. The jump in York County was 13%, to $213,900.
Among Adams County’s six school districts, the median sales price range is $210,000 (Conewago Valley) to $270,000 (Fairfield). Conewago Valley also posted the biggest growth in sales – 36%.
The range for York County’s 16 school districts is $95,600 (York city) to $275,000 (Northern York). Hanover recorded the largest sales increase – 75%.
One sector where there is a risk that buyers will be priced out of the market is $150,000 and below, Hale said in a phone interview.
It may take until the fall for activity to cool, she said. That could come as a break in demand, an increase in inventory – or both.