A new report finds Lancaster homes are selling four times faster than the national average—part of a red-hot trend stretching across south central Pa.

LANCASTER, Pa. — In Lancaster, homes are disappearing almost as fast as they’re listed—often snatched up by buyers in just a matter of days.

According to a new report from Consumer Affairs, Lancaster has earned the No. 4 spot on the list of the hottest housing markets in the United States. The average home in the Red Rose City is on the market for just five days before a buyer seals the deal—a pace that’s four times faster than the national average, according to Jailyn Montero with Consumer Affairs.

“Homes are quite literally flying off the market,” said Montero.

Montero says Lancaster’s appeal lies in its combination of affordability and accessibility.

“Lancaster, for example, is very close to Philly, it’s close to Baltimore, but it’s way more affordable,” she said. “We’re seeing a trend of people who want access to city life, but they don’t want to pay those prices.”

It’s not just location. Lancaster resident and real estate agent with the Lancaster County Association of Realtors, Christina Diehl, says the city offers walkability, culture, and a vibrant dining scene—all without losing its small-town feel.

“It has the attractiveness of a larger city—with the activities and the food and everything—but with the small-town feel that you don’t really get when you’re visiting a larger city,” Diehl said.

But Lancaster’s real estate boom comes with growing pains—especially for buyers.

“There aren’t as many homes available as there are people that want to be here,” Diehl added. “So we need more sellers… but nobody wants to leave.”

The demand has turned homes into hot commodities—and it’s not just happening in Lancaster. The Consumer Affairs report also ranked York, Harrisburg, and Reading among the top 25 hottest housing markets in the country.

“When we see several cities make our top list from the same state, I think it’s a good indicator that the area is doing something right,” Montero said.