The Cayuga County real estate market saw a total of 15 residential properties change hands during the first week of January, with a lakeside home in Scipio securing the highest sale price. The transaction for a property on Fire Lane 23 in Auburn closed at $603,400, also marking the median sale price for the period.
Activity was spread across the county, from the city of Auburn to towns like Sterling and Weedsport, showcasing a diverse range of property values and types. Sales ranged from an affordable $80,000 home in Genoa to the high-end six-figure waterfront purchase, reflecting a dynamic start to the year for the local housing market.
Key Takeaways
- 15 residential properties were sold in Cayuga County in the first week of January.
- The median sale price was $603,400 for a 2,520-square-foot home in Scipio.
- The city of Auburn was the most active area with seven recorded transactions.
- Property prices ranged significantly, from $80,000 in Genoa to over $600,000 in Scipio.
High-End Sales Drive Market Value
The top end of the market was defined by a handful of significant transactions that pushed the median price upward. The leading sale was a 2,520-square-foot home at 61 Fire Lane 23, located in the town of Scipio with an Auburn mailing address. The property, featuring four bedrooms and two bathrooms, was sold by GO Barefoot Owasco LLC to Michael J. and Isabelle J. Wellauer for $603,400. This sale translates to a price of approximately $239 per square foot.
Another notable high-value sale occurred in the town of Sterling. Jonathan and Victoria Lafever purchased a property at 14922 N. Hadcock Drive for $575,000. While smaller in terms of bedrooms, with two listed, the home includes three bathrooms, indicating a focus on modern living spaces.
In the town of Brutus, a home in the Weedsport area also commanded a strong price. Christopher and Barbara Baker sold their property at 2845 E. Rude St. to Paige E. Marshall for $350,000. This 1,964-square-foot residence has three bedrooms and three bathrooms, calculating to about $178 per square foot.
Top 3 Sales of the Week
- $603,400: 61 Fire Lane 23, Auburn (Scipio)
- $575,000: 14922 N. Hadcock Drive, Sterling
- $350,000: 2845 E. Rude St., Weedsport (Brutus)
Auburn Emerges as a Hub of Activity
The city of Auburn recorded the highest volume of transactions, with seven properties sold during the week. These sales demonstrate a wide spectrum of the city's housing stock, catering to different budgets and needs.
At the upper end for the city, Martin J. Major and Lizabeth Ashby acquired a 1,660-square-foot home at 244 E. Genesee St. for $345,000. This property, with three bedrooms and one bathroom, commanded a price of $208 per square foot, one of the highest rates in the area.
Another significant sale was completed at 5 Boyle Ave., purchased by Donald L. and Kim M. Kwietniak for $290,000. This 1,838-square-foot home also features three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Diverse Price Points Across the City
The Auburn market also showed accessibility for first-time buyers or those seeking more affordable options. A three-bedroom home at 112 Grove Ave Extension was sold by Brandon M. Ross and Hannah N. Wasney to Sevier Janny for $215,000.
Several properties sold for under $200,000, including:
- 68 Cottage St.: A large 3,322-square-foot home with six bedrooms, bought by Tyler M. Janes for $190,200. Its price per square foot was a low $57.
- 126 N. Fulton St.: A three-bedroom home obtained by Derrick Brown for $162,500.
- 189 Cottage St.: A four-bedroom property sold by Tracy M. Thurston to Calvin G. and Elizabeth M. Madill for $140,000.
- 41 Augustus St.: A three-bedroom home sold by Thomas Rlu and Patricia Treat Rlu to Ryan P. Quigley for $120,000.
Understanding Price Per Square Foot
Price per square foot is a common metric used to compare the value of homes. In Auburn's sales this week, the figure ranged from as low as $57 to as high as $208. This variation often reflects the home's condition, location, age, and recent renovations. A lower price per square foot on a larger home, like the one on Cottage Street, can indicate an older property or one in need of updates, while a higher figure often points to a modern, move-in-ready home.
Sales in Surrounding Towns and Villages
Beyond Auburn, several other communities in Cayuga County saw real estate activity, highlighting the broad appeal of the region.
In Ledyard, a one-bedroom, one-bathroom home at 2173 State Route 90 in Aurora was sold by Kenneth M. Hall to Barbara R. Moerikofer for $260,000. This sale demonstrates a market for smaller, potentially historic or scenic properties in the village of Aurora.
In Ira, Trevor G. Lunkenheimer and Gracee L. White purchased a four-bedroom, two-bathroom home at 3455 Humphrey Road in Cato. The sellers, Garrett and Genesis David, received $250,000 for the 1,664-square-foot property.
The town of Moravia saw a two-bedroom home at 232 N. Main St. sell for $170,000. Brendan T. Famoly sold the property to Thomas Ratkowski and Richard Rothel.
Rounding out the lower end of the week's sales were two transactions:
- A home at 5529 State Route 90 in Springport was acquired by Donald and Lisa Helmer for $138,000.
- The most affordable sale of the period was a large 2,696-square-foot home at 1041 Maple St. in Genoa, obtained by Shawn Bower for just $80,000, working out to less than $30 per square foot.
This collection of sales from the first week of the year provides a snapshot of a healthy and varied real estate market across Cayuga County, with opportunities available at nearly every price point.
