Even pre Covid, most people I know around here(full time residents) are not expecting central AC because so many don't have them. Honestly having central AC had minimal impact on pricing I think. I remember looking at like 30-40 houses and maybe a handful had central AC. It is certainly a nice to have, especially with increasingly dewy summers, but around here it is almost a novelty, like having a pool. I would love central AC, but don't even remember it on our wish list when house shopping. Maybe I was in the wrong price range--sub $1 mill..lol.
There are definitely is an uptick in the mini split route it seems around here.