An urban energy draws buyers to homes old and new

One in a continuing series spotlighting real estate markets in the region's communities.

Even if you aren't a fan of Victorian architecture, your first view of the Washington House Hotel as you drive down the North Main Street hill into Sellersville may knock your socks off.

The hotel, and the Sellersville Theater next door on North Temple Street, are just two of the many marvels of this Bucks County borough of 4,241 people 30 miles north of Philadelphia.

Sellersville is one of a matched set of four municipalities on either side of the Bucks and Montgomery County line off the Route 309 corridor. The others - Perkasie in Bucks, Souderton in Montgomery, and Telford, which lies in both counties - are all described as "sleepy little towns."

Here, as in many other boroughs in the Philadelphia region - Ambler, Phoenixville, Lansdowne, Media and West Chester immediately come to mind - they are rubbing the sleep out of their eyes as the popularity of urban-style living outside the city grows, coupled with affordably priced homes.

Especially in Sellersville, says Frank Dolski, an agent with Coldwell Banker Hearthside Real Estate in Lahaska, and he has the data to prove it.

"People seem to be flocking there," says Dolski, who just put in an offer from some buyers on a house for sale on Noble Street.

Sales volume here rose more than 35 percent over the last 12 months vs. the previous year, 74 vs. 53. Average sale prices were up 10.5 percent - to $219,209, or $20,698 above the previous 12 months, Dolski says.

Average days on market fell year over year to 74 from 109 - another good sign for Sellersville. What's more, the ratio of list to sale price is 99 percent - meaning that sellers are getting very close to what they are asking for their houses.

There are now 42 active listings, with an average asking price of $253,403, Dolski says.

Not only are there single-family homes - many, Victorian-era dwellings - but there are plenty of newish and new townhouses to choose from, he says.

New is W.B. Homes' Carillon Hill townhouses, priced from $267,490 to $299,990. (W.B. Homes also has a 42-unit project awaiting final approval in nearby Telford.)

Newish is the 132-unit Mews at Wyckford, built in the 1990s.

Of the homes that sold in the last year, 37 were townhouses, about 23 of which were new constructions priced in the $250,000 to $330,000 range, says Diane Williams, an agent with Weichert Realtors in Blue Bell who counts herself a big fan of Sellersville.

An average of six homes are selling a month, which means the absorption rate is seven months, Williams says.

Several twins sold, including three that were newly built, she says.

Single-family detached homes that sold were in a lower price range, $200,000 to $270,000, Williams notes.

"The one single that sold for $402,000 in May 2015 was lovely and was on the market for 134 days," she says. It was 11 years old.

Sellersville's real estate is perfect for first-time buyers and young families with children, Dolski says. Local youngsters attend the Pennridge School District.

Add in the convenience of being near Route 309 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and the market here "is all good news," and attractive not only "because of its awesome theater," he says.

Reasonably priced real estate notwithstanding, Sellersville is amenities-rich, the agents say.

Washington House, at one time in disrepair and sold at sheriff's sale, has been owned since 1985 by William Quigley and Elaine Brick. It was renovated in the last year, with a boutique hotel on the five floors that had not been used, Williams says.

The hotel's tower is now an upscale suite, she says.

The Sellersville Theater once was a stable, and then a movie theater.

In 2001, it became a live-performance venue several nights a week, "from bluegrass to comedy to rock music to single vocalists to groups," Williams says.

"It's on my bucket list for this summer," says Dolski, eager for a first visit.

There are two parks here, a few shops on mostly residential Main Street, a community pool, weekly bingo at the firehouse, a museum, and the annual outdoor Pennridge Gallery of the Arts event.

Not all that sleepy, really.

aheavens@phillynews.com

215-854-2472@alheavens

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Population: 4,241 (2013)

Median household income: $63,364 (2013)

Area: 1.2 square miles

Settlements in the last three months: 17

Homes for sale: 42

Average days on market: 74

Median sale price: $212,000

Housing stock: 1,827 units, older singles and new townhouses

School district: Pennridge

SOURCES: U.S. Census Bureau; Frank Dolski, Coldwell Banker Hearthside Real Estate; Diane Williams, Weichert Realtors EndText