Fewer homes were sold in York County last month, but their sale prices increased.

"It was a mixed bag," said Lee Trite, president of the Realtors' Association of York & Adams Counties.

In February, 469 homes were sold in York County-a 1 percent decrease compared to the 473 homes sold during the same month a year earlier.

The median sale price, however, increased 6 percent from $130,000 in February 2012 to $138,000 last month.

But the decrease in homes sold and increase in prices are merely averages, Trite said.

Many school districts saw increases in both sales and home values:

* The most homes were sold last month in the Dallastown School District, where 57 homes were purchased. It was a 30 percent increase from the 44 homes bought there in February 2012. The median sale price there increased 9 percent from $136,000 in February 2011 to $148,000 last month.

* In the Northeastern School District 39 homes were sold - a 63 percent increase from the 24 homes purchased there a year earlier. The median sale price increased 15 percent, climbing from $125,375 in February 2012 to $144,000 last month.

Prices also climbed in the South Eastern, West Shore and South Western school districts. In South Eastern the median sale price increased 19 percent from $147,500 in February 2011 to $174, 950 last month. In South Western, the median sale price increased 22 percent from $137,000 in February 2011 to $167,500 last month.

"We're very encouraged by what's happened in the southern tier. Home prices had been struggling there for a while," Trite said.

Home sales and prices are still struggling in York City. The number of homes sold dropped from 38 last February to 32 this February, and the median sale price decreased 17 percent from $30,250 to $25,000.

"For many people who buy in York City, the taxes cost as much as the mortgage. But the good news is prices are low," Trite said. "We're really trying to get the word out about the positives because there are some great areas to live in York City."

She's also looking at February numbers with a positive view, knowing only four fewer homes were sold there last month than the year before.

"February is always one of the slowest months. Sellers start putting their houses on the market in March, and buyers get cabin fever in the spring," Trite said. "I'm really looking forward to what this month brings."

- Candy Woodall can also be reached at cwoodall@yorkdispatch.com.