Real Estate Information Archive

The Central Penn Business Journal reported the following real estate sales statistics for January 2015:

The number of homes sold in Central PA and the greater Harrisburg area increased slightly (3%) over the sales results for 2013 continuing a positive trend we have experiencing over the past few years. But the increase is smaller than the approximately 10% increase in sales in 2013 over 2012. But there is also some additional positive news in that the average sales price increased to $187,076 in 2014 and the days on market before a home is under contract now stands below 90 days.

What does 2015 look like? I think the trend will continue to look positive with respect to the number of sales and the average sales price. Although I do not expect these numbers to go off the charts, I am anticipating a steady rise similar to the years prior to the financial crisis. Why?  Some of the increase, I believe, will come from a decision that the federal government (FHFA) made recently to decrease the insurance premium on FHA mortgages that would save a borrower approximately $75 per month on a $180,000 mortgage. And since approximately 15% of all sales in 2013 and 2014 were financed by this type of financing this should provide some stimulus to the sales market. And although higher mortgage interest rates have been called for by the experts for the past year, the current interest rate for a 30 year fixed rate mortgage is between 3.75 – 4.00%, which does positively impact affordability. I do though anticipate mortgage rates to increase, by how much I do not know but it will impact some potential buyers.

All that said you can see a positive trend has emerged and I anticipate it to continue in 2015. If I can be on any assistance or provide any information please contact me at your convenience.

Don Roth

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

The information compiled by me came from our local Multiple List which comprises primarily Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry counties with some additional info from Lebanon, Lancaster and York Counties.

The real estate sales results for the greater Harrisburg, PA are showing some improvement both in the number of sales and the average selling price for homes in Central Pennsylvania. The average sales price increased 6% to $177,605, in February 2013 over the same period in 2012 and the number of homes sold increased when compared to 2011 and 2012. Another piece of good news is that the days on market from listing to under contract for the period has decreased when compared to the same period last year. Some of this good news is due to the quality of inventory and the continued existence of extremely low mortgage interest rates. Yes, there are issues with the continued, unfortunately, availability of short sales and foreclosures and the negative impact on prices but these are solid sales figures. I recently reviewed the number of homes going under contract and selling in the $150,000 to $300,000 range because this is a good barometer of the market and those sales are looking very good. Why that range? It has been my experience when that market improves both the lower and higher priced homes are selling all other price ranges will improve. Going forward improvement should continue and as I have been saying for right now slow and steady is the best course for the real estate market. The below numbers for the school districts are always interesting and should be considered. And if you are considering a sale or a purchase of a home please contact me at Don@DonRoth.com and as always you are encouraged to visit my site, www.DonRoth.com, and click on the search listings tab to see your next home.

School Districts

West Shore

East Shore

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

gThe month of January 2013 saw a slight decrease in the number (26) of sold homes in the greater Harrisburg area compared to January 2012. But on the bright side the average sales price increased by 4% and the average days on market for sold homes declined to 100 days when compared to the previous January. Why the decline in the number of sold homes with all the positive news about the housing market? To be honest, I do not know other than January sometimes is a fickle month for sales and this may be the case. But on the other hand the number of homes sold but not settled increased by over 10% compared to the year end 2012.

As anyone who has read my reports know that I do see brighter days ahead and as of now, with still extremely low mortgage rates and a good supply of saleable homes, although decreasing somewhat, the future still is positive for both buyers and sellers for 2013. Below you will see a selected group of school districts in the Harrisburg area and yes we do see great variations when comparing month over month with respect to average sales price and days on market. But I will be more responsive to these facts so hopefully this will assist you in gauging the overall market.

If you are looking for specific communities, you can search all Harrisburg homes for sale here. Or contact me at Don@DonRoth.com.
 

West Shore School Districts

East Shore School Districts

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

July 2012 might be categorized as the good, the bad and the unknown. First, naturally the good news. The number of sold Central PA homes this July increased by 4.8% over July 2011 and there was a less than 1% decrease in the average sales price year over year in the greater Harrisburg area. This continues the moderate improvement in the real estate market in this area and I anticipate this will continue throughout the rest of 2012. The bad? Well we still have an excess supply of homes for sale at this point and although there continues to be an improvement in the numbers there are great opportunities for home buyers and sellers. Why? Although not a great percentage of the homes for sale are composed of short sales and foreclosures it appears that the perceived negative on home values continues in the market. And as has been discussed in many media outlets people are concerned about their home values being less than a few years ago and their own financial well being.

Even though Central Pennsylvania real estate has not been as affected negatively by the financial slowdown there has definitely been some pullback and caution that continues in the real estate market. The unknown is, at least today, the increases  experienced in mortgage interest rates and is the increase a temporary blip or the beginning of a trend towards higher rates? As an example rates on a 30 years fixed rate mortgage is up by .50% in the last two weeks and if the increases continue the purchasing power for buyers will decrease and be reflected in real estate values. I said two weeks ago that we never know when the interest rates hit the absolute bottom until they have already begun to increase. I do not think we are there yet and hopefully I am correct on that prognosis.

In comparison the 2011 or even 2010 we have made significant improvement in the real estate market and I do think the good will definitely outweigh the bad and the unknown. We are here to answer any real estate questions that you have so please contact us.

School Districts

West Shore

School District                      Average Sales Price 2011                   Average Sales Price 2012   Days on Market

Camp Hill                    $172,400                                 $186,160                      111/40

Cumberland Valley      $296,855                                 $266,155                     104/102

West Shore                  $178,326                                 $169,121                     104/80

Mechanicsburg             $200,770                                 $202,763                     67/89

Northern York               $235,608                                 $213,682                     91/126

Carlisle                         $181,062                                 $163,378                     111/105

East Pennsboro             $156,175                                 $150,647                     180/92

East Shore

School District                      Average Sales Price 2011                   $Average Sales Price 2012                Days on Market

Central Dauphin                   $189,766                                               $205,755                               116/112

Derry Twp                             $322,427                                               $244,253                               90/53

Lower Dauphin                     $235,586                                               $269,124                               98/66

Harrisburg                             $75,530                                                $56,281                                 156/96

Middletown                          $113,069                                               $134,967                                69/119

Steel High                             $69,400                                                $79,267                                 130/62

Susquehanna Twp               $151,141                                               $147,500                                 97/90 

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

One of the most important items when considering whether to buy or sell a Central PA home is to look at the absorption rate in an area. This means the average inventory of homes for sale in a price range you are considering and see how many months of inventory (competition) is available in your desired price range.

History has showed that a six month inventory level is considered a normal market, below signifies a sellers’ market and above six month is considered a buyers market. Through the first six months of this year our market has been progressing towards a normal market in many price ranges. And although the market has improved substantially we have experienced an increase of 2.8% in the numbers of homes for sale. Meaning there are many homes competing to gain the attention of buyers in the market.

Accurate pricing and/or price adjustments are still critical to get a Central PA home sold.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

Legislators in Congress are considering some type of the popular First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit past the November 30, 2009 deadline. In my opinion, for the buyers and sellers in the Greater Harrisburg, PA region, this would be an excellent event since we have seen the positive effects in this area. Knowing how long it takes to accomplish the passage of legislation in Washington, this is not a given and if you are buyers who qualify for the current tax credit, you may want to contact you local legislator and encourage the extension beyond November 30. Please read the article from the attached link. And if I can answer any questions concerning who qualifies, please contact me at Don@DonRoth.com.

Click Here to View Article

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: 7/26/08

CONTACT: Don Roth

PHONE: 717-579-2879

Harrisburg Area REALTOR® Attend National Conference With Top Real Estate Minds in the Country

ORLANDO, FL—Don Roth of Prudential Homesale Services Group in Harrisburg recently returned from attending the top educational opportunity offered in the real estate industry—the STAR POWER® Annual Conference.

Presented by internationally acclaimed educator and trainer Howard Brinton, this Conference brought together over 1,500 of the most progressive, forward-thinking professionals in real estate today to share their methods of success. The faculty consisted of 170 of the continent’s top-producing real estate professionals, all ranking in the top 1% of all REALTORS® in North America.

Don, a STAR POWER® Club member for 8 years, had this to say about the experience: “This Conference and the STAR POWER® Systems have armed me with the best tools available to provide the highest quality of service to my clients. In addition, I continue to build a tremendous network for referring my clients to the best agents all over the country when they’re considering a move or looking to buy a second home. I also received invaluable insight on the benefit of operating from a business philosophy and incorporating the latest technology to keep me on the cutting edge.”

As a part of the Conference, Don received information for consumers about the top six mistakes that sellers can make when selling a home, as well as criteria for evaluating and hiring a real estate professional. As a public service, Don has decided to make these two reports available to Harrisburg residents at no charge. Anyone wanting this information can call Don at 717-657-8700 or 717-579-2879 or e-mail their request to Don@DonRoth.com.