YORK COUNTY — The number of home sales continues to be robust, and median prices continue to increase, particularly in York County, according to a recent report by the Maine Association of Realtors.

In fact, Maine is doing better than the national rate. The National Association of Realtors reported that national sales dipped 1.2 percent compared to one a year ago. The national median sale price rose 4.2 percent to $246,800 in September. Regionally, home sales in the Northeast declined 1.4 percent and the regional MSP of $274,100 represents a 4.8 percent increase.

For the rolling quarter than began Aug. 1 and wound down Oct. 31, the median home sale in York County was up just a hair under 8 percent, at 7.96 percent, according to the Realtors association, from $250,000 in the same period last year, to $269,000.. Sales were up by 3.55 percent, with 955 homes in York County selling during the period this year, compared to 921 sales in 2016.

The August through October quarter indicates better performance than the July 1 to Sept. 30 timeframe, when sales were off from the previous year by slightly more than 1 percent. During the July-September time frame, the median sale price was $265,000, up from $247,000 in the same period the previous year.

“We’ve been hearing for many months that a shortage of for-sale inventory had hindered the potential for 2017 real estate markets. While the for-sale inventory levels continue to be historically low, they are increasing, and buyers are now finding options and purchasing the right home for their needs,” said Greg Gosselin of Gosselin Realty Group in York and 2017 president of the Maine Association of Realtors.

Statewide in October alone, sales were up more than 8 percent, and the median sales price was $205,000, up from $192,500 a year ago. The Realtors association does not compile sales per county for single months.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.