How far can $350K get you in central PA’s housing market? Tour some recent home sales

Matt DiSanto
·6 min read

If you’re in the market for a home in central Pennsylvania to start 2024, how far could $350,000 get you?

That figure could act as your budget if you’re using Centre County’s median home sale price as a starting point. The Centre County Association of Realtors cited $349,990 as the mid-point home sale price for December in its most recent monthly market trend report, which found the figure for the month was up 7.5% compared to December 2022.

Centre County’s housing markets vary greatly between neighborhoods and regions, but if you’re using that median sale price as a general budget, what are your options? We’re featuring several local homes that recently sold for around that price to help highlight some examples.

2437 Buchenhorst Road

A front-facing view of the property at 2437 Buchenhorst Road in State College. Photo shared with permission from the home’s listing agent, Peter Chiarkas of Kissinger, Bigatel and Brower Realtors. Provided
A front-facing view of the property at 2437 Buchenhorst Road in State College. Photo shared with permission from the home’s listing agent, Peter Chiarkas of Kissinger, Bigatel and Brower Realtors. Provided

This State College property sold for $350,000 Jan. 12, according to its online listing. The 1,668-square-foot ranch-style home features three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

A view inside the living room at 2437 Buchenhorst Road in State College. Photo shared with permission from the home’s listing agent, Peter Chiarkas of Kissinger, Bigatel and Brower Realtors. Provided
A view inside the living room at 2437 Buchenhorst Road in State College. Photo shared with permission from the home’s listing agent, Peter Chiarkas of Kissinger, Bigatel and Brower Realtors. Provided
A look inside the kitchen at 2437 Buchenhorst Road in State College. Photo shared with permission from the home’s listing agent, Peter Chiarkas of Kissinger, Bigatel and Brower Realtors. Provided
A look inside the kitchen at 2437 Buchenhorst Road in State College. Photo shared with permission from the home’s listing agent, Peter Chiarkas of Kissinger, Bigatel and Brower Realtors. Provided

The home’s living room features a built-in entertainment system, while the kitchen is equipped with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. All three bedrooms and a primary bathroom are on the main level of the home.

The finished basement, meanwhile, has a natural gas fireplace, a full bathroom and laundry area and two additional rooms suitable for a home office, a playroom, a gym or even additional storage. According to the online listing, the lower level also features new carpeting and a recently replaced water heater.

A look at the backyard at 2437 Buchenhorst Road in State College. Photo shared with permission from the home’s listing agent, Peter Chiarkas of Kissinger, Bigatel and Brower Realtors. Provided
A look at the backyard at 2437 Buchenhorst Road in State College. Photo shared with permission from the home’s listing agent, Peter Chiarkas of Kissinger, Bigatel and Brower Realtors. Provided

This home is less than a mile from Spring Creek Elementary School, while Mount Nittany Middle School and State College Area High School are nearby, too.

Size: 1,668 square feet

Year built: 1983

Price per square foot: $210

Property taxes: Roughly $2,653 in 2023, according to Zillow

830 Henszey Street

A side view of the home at 830 Henszey St. in Lemont. Photo shared with permission of the home’s listing agent, James Bradley of Keller Williams Advantage Realty. Provided
A side view of the home at 830 Henszey St. in Lemont. Photo shared with permission of the home’s listing agent, James Bradley of Keller Williams Advantage Realty. Provided

Over in Lemont, this home offers three bedrooms and two bathrooms spread across 1,200 square feet, according to its online listing. The property sold for $315,000 Dec. 22.

“The enchanting appeal of Lemont Village harmonizes perfectly with the timeless allure of a Cape Cod-style home,” the listing’s description reads.

A look inside the living room at 830 Henszey St. in Lemont. Photo shared with permission of the home’s listing agent, James Bradley of Keller Williams Advantage Realty. Provided
A look inside the living room at 830 Henszey St. in Lemont. Photo shared with permission of the home’s listing agent, James Bradley of Keller Williams Advantage Realty. Provided
A view of the kitchen inside the home at 830 Henszey St. in Lemont. Photo shared with permission of the home’s listing agent, James Bradley of Keller Williams Advantage Realty. Provided
A view of the kitchen inside the home at 830 Henszey St. in Lemont. Photo shared with permission of the home’s listing agent, James Bradley of Keller Williams Advantage Realty. Provided

The home features a covered front porch that leads into a living room with hardwood flooring and “impeccable craftsman-style finishes,” according to the listing. The nearby kitchen boasts recently upgraded cabinetry, plus a range hood, microwave and dishwasher.

A look inside a bedroom at 830 Henszey St. in Lemont. Photo shared with permission of the home’s listing agent, James Bradley of Keller Williams Advantage Realty. Provided
A look inside a bedroom at 830 Henszey St. in Lemont. Photo shared with permission of the home’s listing agent, James Bradley of Keller Williams Advantage Realty. Provided

All three of the home’s bedrooms are situated upstairs in addition to a bathroom with a jetted tub. Outside, a newly installed deck is suitable for entertaining guests or relaxing with some fresh air.

A look at two backyard buildings at 830 Henszey St. in Lemont. Photo shared with permission of the home’s listing agent, James Bradley of Keller Williams Advantage Realty. Provided
A look at two backyard buildings at 830 Henszey St. in Lemont. Photo shared with permission of the home’s listing agent, James Bradley of Keller Williams Advantage Realty. Provided

The property features two small, separate buildings — one of which is complete with electrical service, ideally as a workshop, according to the listing.

Spring Creek Elementary School, Mount Nittany Middle School and State College Area High School are all within 3 miles of the home. Downtown Lemont is also just a block or two away.

Size: 1,200 square feet

Year built: 1937

Price per square foot: $262

Property taxes: Unavailable, according to Zillow

518 Pike Street

A front-facing view of the home at 518 Pike St. in State College. Photo shared with permission from the home’s listing agent, Annette Yorks of Perry Wellington Realty. Provided
A front-facing view of the home at 518 Pike St. in State College. Photo shared with permission from the home’s listing agent, Annette Yorks of Perry Wellington Realty. Provided

This 1,264-square-foot State College-area home features two bedrooms and two bathrooms. It sold for $320,000 Dec. 20, according to its online Zillow listing.

“Step into the charm and warmth of this custom-built, two-story home that exudes character at every turn,” the listing’s description reads. “With only four years under its belt, this abode boasts a timeless appeal that will captivate your heart.”

A look inside the living room at 518 Pike St. in State College. Photo shared with permission from the home’s listing agent, Annette Yorks of Perry Wellington Realty. Provided
A look inside the living room at 518 Pike St. in State College. Photo shared with permission from the home’s listing agent, Annette Yorks of Perry Wellington Realty. Provided
A view inside a bedroom at 518 Pike St. in State College. Photo shared with permission from the home’s listing agent, Annette Yorks of Perry Wellington Realty. Provided
A view inside a bedroom at 518 Pike St. in State College. Photo shared with permission from the home’s listing agent, Annette Yorks of Perry Wellington Realty. Provided

Heated bamboo floors line the interior of this home, which features an open floor plan that “effortlessly connects each space, allowing for easy navigation and an airy feel.” Granite countertops in the kitchen, plus an island, provide plenty of space for preparing meals and entertaining guests.

An upstairs loft is suitable for a home office or reading nook, the listing suggests. Two bedrooms offer window seats that bring in plenty of natural light. Plus, the upstairs bathroom features a walk-in shower.

A look inside a bathroom at 518 Pike St. in State College. Photo shared with permission from the home’s listing agent, Annette Yorks of Perry Wellington Realty. Provided
A look inside a bathroom at 518 Pike St. in State College. Photo shared with permission from the home’s listing agent, Annette Yorks of Perry Wellington Realty. Provided

The home’s front porch is great for outdoor relaxation, according to the listing. The backyard, meanwhile, features a pond to add “an element of whimsy” alongside perennial plants.

Size: 1,264 square feet

Year built: 2019

Price per square foot: $253

Property taxes: Roughly $2,427 in 2023, according to Zillow

Centre County’s real estate market

Although metrics are up year-over-year, the mid-point home sale price in Centre County fell in December.

The county’s median home sale price checked in at $349,990 for the final month of the year, according to the Centre County Association of Realtors’ monthly market report. That figure is down roughly 1.4% from November, which boasted a $354,950 mid-point sale price. However, the median home sale price is up about 7.5% from December 2022, which offered a mid-point price of $325,495.

Just 49 new listings were put on the market in December, down significantly from 95 in November, but up from 38 in December 2022. The final month of 2023 saw 88 closed sales, marking an increase over November (83) and December 2022 (84).

Centre County homes sold in December spent a median of 22 days on the market, marking a 22.2% increase over November’s figure.