Home inventory declined while median sale prices increased in the Delaware Valley/Lehigh Valley in February, according to the Long & Foster Real Estate Market Minute Report.  In Gloucester County, the median sales price rose 18% followed by 11% in both Burlington and Camden Counties.   

Compared to February 2019, the number of units sold declined across the region with Gloucester County experiencing the largest drop of 9%. Active inventory continued on a downward trend across the region, with dips ranging from 27% in Mercer County to 46% in Gloucester County.    

The Long & Foster Real Estate Market Minute report for the Delaware Valley/Lehigh Valley region includes Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Mercer counties.

“Like many people in the country, we’ve been actively monitoring the developments around the coronavirus,” said Gary Scott, president of Long & Foster Real Estate.  “It’s a constantly changing situation and although the long-term impact is not yet known, we do know some short-term opportunities have arisen for buyers and sellers.”  

Mortgage interest rates are now at an all-time low – almost 1% lower than they were a year ago, which can increase a consumer’s buying power significantly.  “While inventory continues to remain a significant challenge, our sales units and sales volume are up significantly during the first two months of this year, which we attribute to our low interest rate environment,” said Scott.  

Scott added that real estate remains a solid investment with proven appreciation over time. “Homes increase in value nearly 5% per year nationwide,” said Scott. “In times of stock market downturns, consumers and investors will often put their money into the purchase of real estate as a safe haven from the volatile swings of the stock market.” 

To learn more about your local market conditions, visit Long & Foster’s Market Insights. You can also learn more about Long & Foster and find an agent at LongandFoster.com.