On Wednesday 7/9/08, Easton city officials announced that $730,000 grant from Wachovia Regional Foundation that will help re-create Easton’s West Ward with environmental considerations. Turning trash-strewn lots and local dumping sites into community gardens, creating an access park to the Lehigh River and launching of an education program, Global Kids, are all included in the new urban ecology project.

Source: The Morning Call, 7.10.08

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Northampton PA is one of best kept secrets of the Lehigh Valley Real Estate Market. Low taxes and one of the best school districts, as well as affordable homes for first time buyers makes Northampton one of the best choices for homes in a family friendly area. Northamptons centralized location is ideal keeps you close to all parts of the Lehigh Valley.

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Determining the value of you home is done by researching comparable homes that have sold in close proximity to your home. A licensed real estate agent can do this with a comparative market analysis or CMA. Comparable homes should be of similar size and style, and should be as close to your home as possible. It may sound easy, but it is a complicated process that should be done by a realtor. Homes are a commodity and ultimately the market will determine the price.

For more information on what your home is worth – contact an agent

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The amount of bank owned properties currently available in the Lehigh Valley has risen to new levels. Part of this is due to creative financing done by both banks and borrowsers in recent years. In addition many homes were over valued and therefore over priced, which lead to many buyers over paying. Add this to  certain mortgage programs which allowed borrows to get in the door at a lower payment, only to have that payment reset to higher levels and higher interest rates and that equals disaster.

So many people today are faced with the value of their home going down, yet the mortgae payment is going up, putting them into a position that is very difficult to overcome. The market is correcting itself now, and will continue to do so for the next 1-2 years.

That said, now more than ever is the time to buy real estate in the Lehigh Valley! Both prices and interest rates are lower than they have been in years and there are a wide selection of bank owned foreclosure listings available in the Lehigh Valley.

A few things you need to understand about buying a foreclosure: They are not in the best condition, usally they are fixer uppers, requiring extensive cosmetic updates, and in some cases minor repairs. Bank owned properties are typically sold as-is, and that is why they are priced below market.

The first step in buying a home is to get pre-approvedby a local lender her in the Lehigh Valley. The next step is to request a list of foreclosures from Lehigh Valley Real Estate Agent.

You can also use our contact form to request a free list of all Lehigh Valley Foreclosure listings.

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Construction of the new Sands Casino on the south side of Bethlehem started in April. Total costs are estimated at $800 million dollars and its scheduled to open in the summer of 2009. As a result real estate in Bethlehem is going up in anticipation of the impact this new project will bring to Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley.

It’s true this development will bring many new jobs and revenue to both the state and the city. But how will it affect the surrounding neighborhoods and homes? The southside of Bethlehem does offer many nice restaurants, unique shops, and historical attractions, but the area is filled with run down homes, less than desirable living conditions, and sad to say a few slum lords.

Perhaps this new casino and additional shops will be just the boost the area needs. The south side offers tremendous potential and hopefully the economic benefits from this new project will do the trick. That said, its going to be a slow process, but in the long term, rel estate, is as always, your best investment.

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Bank Owned Foreclosure Listings 7/1/08

301559 Available $144,900 S Wood St Allentown City PA 18103

Bank owned property * ADDENDUMS ARE NOT AVAILABLE YET.  No verbal offers *  City of Allentown inspection on line *AS IS* 3 Bedrooms * 1 1/2 bath * Tile & hardwood floors * Big back yard * 1 car garage * Fireplace LL * Foreclosure * Being sold AS IS* Ranch   Built In  Gas,Radiant None         Detached

Request More Info or Schedule Showing Here

302487 Available $164,900  State St Portland Borough PA 18351

Bank Forclosure Sold As/Is  No Disclosure,Strong pre-Qual and 5% With all Offers 4 Bedroom 2.5 Bath Colonial with LARGE 2 Car Garage all on 1.5 Acres/Previous owner started renovation/Needs Finishing-Public Sewer will be Available Soon Colonial   Detached  Baseboard,Oil None     Covered Porch    Detached

Request More Info or Schedule Showing Here

307221 Available $139,900  Fox Run Wilson Borough PA 18042

Take flashlight no light in basement 2 story end unit townhome in Foxcroft Subdivision * Half bath on first floor * Basement is walkout * Ceramic tile floor in kitchen & dining room * Deck * off street parking * SOLD AS IS * Bank foreclosure Colonial     Baseboard,Electric Ceiling Fan,None     Deck    End of Row

Request More Info or Schedule Showing Here

307932 Available $229,500  Bushkill St Easton PA 18042

Beautiful Victorian House Completely Remodeled! Nice original wood work, home affords 4 nice size bedrooms, design Eat-in kitchen with custom built cabinetry and ceramic floors. 10 feet high ceilings. Hardwood floors on living room and dining room. Great room with marble fireplace. First floor laundry and powder room. Fully finished basement with recreation room, dance room, full bath and outside entrance that goes to a gorgeous in-ground heated salt water pool. Professional landscaping. Also all windows have been replaced,  furnace replace 1 year ago, hot water heater, sewer and water lines also replace 1 year ago. Central AC and off street parking for 3 cars. Make an appointment today to see this unique house! Victorian     Gas,Radiator Central AC   Easton Attic Storage,Foyer Center,Center Island,Laundry First,Recreation Room,Wet Bar,Whirlpool,Walk in Closet Covered Porch,Deck,Fenced Yard,Hot Tub,Insulated Glass,Patio,Pool In Ground,Porch,Screens,Sidewalk  North 10th  Detached Request More Info or Schedule Showing Here

309793 Available $299,900  Clay Dr Lower Macungie Twp PA 18062

Like new. Owner cleaned up the home before they left.  Nice back yard too. All offers considered. Bank owned.  Call if you want to do an offer. Like new home, Owner cared for this home and left it in good condition.  Formal Dining Room opens up into the Kitchen.  Front room could be a den or Formal Liv Rm.  The room next to the Kitchen could be your Liv Rm or Fam Rm. You decide.  Nice deck, Bright basement awaits your decorating ideas.  Being sold As IS, Where IS with no repairs or warranties. Colonial   Attached  Gas,Heat Pump Central AC    Family Room 1st Lev.,Foyer Center,Center Island,Laundry First Covered Porch,Curbs,Deck,Sidewalk    Detached 

Request More Info or Schedule Showing Here

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The Allentown Real Estate market is really all over the place at the moment. The recent decision by city officials to require city inspections is complicating things for both buyers and sellers within the city.

The problem is mostly with investment properties. Allentown probably has the greatest number of tenant occupied properties in the Lehigh Valley. For years these landlords have been able to get away with sub-standard maintence and upkeep on the properties they own. You would be truly amazed at the living conditions of many of the homes and apartments in Allentown. This problem is focused mainly in center city and parts of south Allentown. What the city really needs is more home ownership and less slumlords

Another surprising feature about Allentown is the drastic contrast in the quality of homes and neighborhoods. The west end is a far cry from the urban decay and neglect of the city. Its amazing how nice the west side truly is. There are beautiful homes on tree lined streets, in clean quiet neighborhoods, kids playing in street, people out mowing thier lawns – some really nice homes at affordable prices.

The east side – on either side of Union blvd, near Bethlehem, also has some nice areas featuring some affordable homes. Nice cape cods, ranches, even some newer townhomes are usually available for first time buyers and young families looking for a good buy.

Overall the same rules apply to Allentown as do the whole Lehigh Valley. Good homes in nice neighborhoods, that are priced right, still sell very quickly. And if you are selective, Allentown still presents many opportunites when looking for homes for sale.

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Here are the Featured MLS Listings for the Lehigh Valley. They are sorted by price, highest to lowest. Use the naviagation to change the sorting order or start a new search.

To view more Lehigh Valley MLS Listings, Schedule Showings, or get more info please visit GoValleyHomeFinder.com

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Northampton County is researching whether it has the legal authority to temporarily suspend sheriff sales to try to help residents whose homes are in foreclosure. County Council on Thursday asked County Executive John Stoffa to study the issue and report back, but the panel tabled a resolution that called for a 90-day moratorium on the sales if it’s determined the authority is there.

Source: The Morning Call, 7.11.08

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Easton’s Planning Commission gave preliminary approval during a special meeting Wednesday night for the Easton Housing authority’s estimated $73 million project.  The authority will raze 250 apartments and build 144 units — single family homes, townhouses, twins, duplexes and cottages for senior citizens. Forty-eight of the new units are designated for sale and the rest as rentals. It’s unclear when the authority could receive final approval. The commission meets again Aug. 6.

Source:  The Morning Call, 7.17.08

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