Each year, national housing data provides insight into who is buying homes, who is selling, and how those trends are changing. The 2025 NAR Home Buyer and Seller Profile confirms something many of us are already feeling in Central Pennsylvania.
The market is not crashing. It is not overheating. It is slowing, stabilizing, and becoming far more intentional.
Understanding how national trends apply locally in Harrisburg, Camp Hill, Mechanicsburg, Hershey, Linglestown, and surrounding Central PA communities is critical for buyers and sellers making decisions this year.
First-Time Home Buyers Are Fewer and Older
Nationally, first-time buyers now make up just 21 percent of all home buyers, the lowest level ever recorded. The median age of a first-time buyer is now 40 years old, also an all-time high. The average down payment for first-time buyers has risen to 10 percent, the highest level since 1989.
In Central Pennsylvania, this trend is easy to see.
Higher interest rates, student loan debt, and rising home prices mean buyers are waiting longer before purchasing their first home. The result is fewer first-time buyers overall, but those who do enter the market are typically well prepared financially.
Homes that are priced correctly and located in desirable Central PA neighborhoods still receive strong interest because serious buyers are competing for limited inventory.
Repeat Buyers Are Using Equity to Move
Repeat buyers now have a median age of 62, another record high. Their average down payment sits at 23 percent, the highest level since 2003.
Across Central PA, many homeowners who purchased or refinanced between 2020 and 2022 are sitting on low mortgage rates and significant equity. That equity is what allows them to move, not urgency or speculation.
However, many are choosing to stay put.
Low interest rates on existing mortgages and uncertainty around replacement housing have reduced turnover across Harrisburg, Camp Hill, and surrounding communities. This lack of movement directly impacts inventory levels.
Fewer Buyers Have Children Under 18
Only 24 percent of home buyers nationally have children under 18, the lowest level ever recorded.
In Central Pennsylvania, this trend reflects more than just housing decisions. Many people are waiting longer to start families, focusing first on careers, financial stability, and flexibility. As a result, traditional “family-stage” home buying is happening later in life.
This shift shows up locally in several ways. Younger buyers are often purchasing smaller homes, townhomes, or condos before having children. Others are renting longer while they build savings and wait for clarity on work and lifestyle needs.
For homeowners already in desirable school districts, this delay in family formation reduces turnover. Fewer families entering the market means fewer move-ups and fewer listings, which keeps inventory tight across much of Central Pennsylvania.
The long-term effect is a market where homes suitable for growing families remain in short supply, even when overall buyer activity feels slower.
Home Sellers Are Staying Longer Than Ever
The average homeowner now lives in their home for 11 years before selling, the longest tenure on record.
This is one of the most impactful statistics for the Central PA real estate market.
Many homeowners do not feel pressure to sell. Downsizers are cautious due to limited one-floor living options. Move-up buyers hesitate because of higher payments. Empty nesters are taking a lifestyle-based approach rather than rushing into a decision.
The result is fewer listings, slower turnover, and a market that rewards preparation and realistic pricing.
Advice for Buyers in Central PA
If you are buying a home in Central Pennsylvania this year, preparation matters more than timing.
Understand your budget early. Explore payment scenarios, not just purchase price. Be flexible with location and timing. Work with a local Realtor who understands neighborhood-level trends, not just national headlines.
Opportunities still exist, but they favor buyers who are ready.
Advice for Sellers in Central PA
If you are thinking about selling your home in Harrisburg, Camp Hill, Hershey, Lower Paxton, Mechanicsburg, or surrounding areas, the data actually works in your favor.
Low inventory supports pricing, but buyers are selective. Homes that are priced accurately and positioned properly still attract strong interest. Homes that chase unrealistic pricing often experience longer days on market.
The most important question is not whether it is a good time to sell. It is whether selling aligns with your next move.
Final Thoughts on the 2025 Central PA Real Estate Market
The 2025 buyer and seller data reinforces what we are seeing daily across Central Pennsylvania.
People are moving less. Buyers are more intentional. Equity and affordability drive decisions.
This is a mature, stable market. And in a market like this, informed planning beats guessing every time.
If you want to understand how these trends apply to your specific neighborhood or price range, I am always happy to talk through it.
