ST. CLOUD, Fla. — Central Florida’s real estate market saw fewer home sales and fewer new listings in July compared with June, while prices remained higher than a year ago, according to the Orlando Regional Realtor Association.

The association, known as ORRA, said the median home price in the Orlando area reached nearly $410,500 in July. That was down about $6,000 from June but still about $8,000 higher than a year earlier.

Home sales fell 7.4% from June to July, while new listings dropped 7%, according to ORRA. The July figures reflect home sales in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake and Volusia counties.

Lynda Strader, who has lived in St. Cloud for 15 years, is working with real estate agent Steve Pugh to find a house for her daughter and two children for less than $350,000.

“The biggest challenge is finding something she can afford,” Strader said. “There’s hardly any inventory currently for under $350,000, and under $300,000 is just unheard of.”

Lawrence Bellido, ORRA’s immediate past president, described the July numbers as a slight slowdown but said buyers still have options.

“Negotiate,” Bellido said. “There’s down payment assistance programs right now, and negotiate for a roof, air conditioning, even a water heater.”

Cassie Muffley spent seven months searching before finding her home in Longwood. She said she understands why some buyers are waiting for lower interest rates and why some sellers are choosing not to list their homes.

“You’ve got a lot of sellers who have great rates locked in,” Muffley said. “They’re watching the market continue to shift, and it’s scary. If I don’t have to sell right now, why would I?”

Affordability is also affecting where buyers look for homes. The Orlando Economic Partnership reported Metro Orlando’s growth rate fell nearly 50% from the previous year, as more families looked to Lake and Osceola counties for more affordable housing.

“It’s causing first-time homebuyers mainly to go outside the area to get a little more housing and affordability for their purchase price,” Bellido said.

For Strader, homes under $350,000 are still selling quickly, keeping pressure on her family’s search.

“If we could find it sooner rather than later, that would probably be good,” Strader said.

ORRA said homes are spending slightly more time on the market, while lower median prices are giving buyers more room to negotiate.