YORK COUNTY — Sales of existing homes are continuing to show growth, those in the real estate industry say and that is holding true in York County as well as in nine other of Maine’s 16 counties.

Still, the number of available homes coming on the market is shrinking, and that could spell difficulties for first-time homebuyers, said Kim Gleason, president of the Maine Association of Realtors.

For well over a year, Realtors have said that existing inventory is tight. Now, according to Gleason, it is tighter than ever.

“For-sale inventory is coming onto the market, but statewide we’re seeing 12 percent fewer homes for sale than a year ago.” said Gleason in a statement. “Pricing is related to these market forces; home prices continue to rise, which is an advantage for current homeowners looking to build equity, but rising prices can become an obstacle for first-time buyers.”

The median sales price in York County for the rolling quarter of May 1 through July 31 is up by 7.65 percent over the same period in 2017, according to figures supplied by MAR. The median sales price was $279,900 in that time frame this year, up from $260,000 in 2017. The median sales price means half of the homes sold for more, half for less.

As well, from May 1 through July 31, existing home sales in York County were up 4.82 percent this year. In that three-month span, 935 existing homes sold in York County, up from 892 in the same period in 2017, according to MAR.

Those contemplating buying their first home — and wondering if they can afford one —  could consider taking a first-time home buying course through York County Community Action Corporation.

“The classes are really popular right now, record numbers of people are enrolling,” said YCCAC spokesman Brad Bohon. He said part of the course is designed to help people figure out what they can afford and the steps they need to take to get into a home.

“The cost of housing has risen, but people are still looking,” said Bohon. “It is a matter of scarcity of available houses and those (available) are priced higher than even 12 months ago.”

He said that even with record low unemployment, people are struggling.

“(Low unemployment) doesn’t mean wages have increased and housing prices are going up, up so you’re still treading water,” said Bohon.

According to the agency’s website, 156 people who took the YCCAC home buying course in 2017 went on to purchase a home. For information on the classes, go to: https://yccac.org/home-buyer-education-classes/.

Not all of Maine fared as well as York County in the number of houses sold. Six of Maine’s 16 counties didn’t fare as well as York County and nine other counties, Hancock, Oxford, Sagadahoc, Somerset and Waldo counties, all sold fewer homes in the May 1 to July 31 time frame in 2018 than in the previous year, according to the figures supplies by MAR. One county, Lincoln, sold the same number over homes during the three-month time period in both years.

MAR’s records show that some counties, including ones that sold more homes in the quarter, had a lower median sales price than in 2017 — namely Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset and Washington counties.

Maine experienced solid gains in both sales prices and sales volume for single-family home sales in July, said Gleason. She said Maine Listings reported that 1,864 home changed hands statewide in July — an increase of 9.65 percent from the same period last year — and the median sales price jumped 9.22 percent to $225,000. MAR does not report figures for monthly sales for individual counties.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.