Local Markets
Easton PA – Inspection of city’s rentals on track
The Easton codes department has inspected about half the city’s estimated 4,500 rentals and continues to re-inspect the densely populated West Ward as Easton’s rental licensing program enters its third year. Aug. 15 2008 marked the deadline for landlords to register their rentals and pay the $45 license fee for each apartment they own. According [...]
9Sep2008 | GoValley | 0 comments | Continued
Judge supports Bethlehem School District voting proposal
A federal judge Tuesday hinted he will approve a settlement today that will change the way Bethlehem Area School District voters elect the school board. The Voting Rights Act lawsuit settlement ends two years of litigation and is meant to make it easier for a Latino candidate to be elected. The agreement would break up [...]
9Sep2008 | GoValley | 0 comments | Continued
Apartments proposed in Linden Street warehouse
An 88-year-old former silk mill in Allentown PA may get a new life as apartments marketed to professionals working in New York City. Developer Nat Hyman says he wants to turn the third and fourth floors of his property at 315-325 Linden St., a warehouse that was once one of Allentown’s many textile mills, into [...]
9Sep2008 | GoValley | 0 comments | Continued
Hellertown wants to limit rentals in residential areas
Hellertown officials say renters responsible for most crime and their cars are causing parking problems in some neighborhoods, so they would prefer that renters live downtown. That’s the reasoning behind Hellertown’s latest proposal to ban apartment conversions in its residential neighborhood zones. Hellertown’s Planning Commission two months ago approved a measure that would ban all [...]
9Sep2008 | GoValley | 0 comments | Continued
Bethlehem gets $490,000 to plan garage, new terminal
Bethlehem has received $490,000 in federal funding to pay for the planning and design of a new parking garage/bus terminal on Third Street in the city’s South Side. The money comes from the Federal Transportation Administration. The overall project will cost between $22 million and $25 million, and is expected to take a few years. [...]
9Sep2008 | GoValley | 0 comments | Continued
North Whitehall Wal-Mart gets conditional OK
Wal-Mart took a step closer toward coming to North Whitehall as township supervisors voted Wednesday to give preliminary approval to the retailer’s subdivision plans. Wal-Mart’s application next goes to the township planning commission and then back to the supervisors for final approval. The store will be located off route 309.
Source: The Morning Call, 9.4.08
Another transfer tax revenue loss for Allentown
Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski froze all nonessential spending this week to help plug a projected $1.9 million hole in the city’s budget. The city is on pace to see $1.5 million less than projected revenues from real estate transfer fees. The slowing housing market is affecting transfer tax revenue in all municipalities in the Lehigh [...]
8Sep2008 | GoValley | 0 comments | Continued
Lower Macungie Gets New Traffic Light Summer 09
Lower Macungie residents lobbying for a traffic light at a dangerous township intersection will have to wait until next summer.
Township officials said last week that a planned signal at Lower Macungie Road and Wild Cherry Lane near the Turnpike should be up and operating by June or July 2009. Some of the work is expected [...]
Two-way traffic for Seventh Street in Allentown?
Allentown officials are considering a switch to two-way traffic on one-way southbound Seventh Street, a gateway thoroughfare into the city. Some Seventh Street merchants and residents think the concept is worth considering as a way to subdue speeding motorists and to bolster business development and pedestrian safety.
Source: The Morning Call, 9.3.08
Lehigh Valley Market Update August 2008
Comparison of Lehigh Valley Home Sales from August 2007 to August 2008:
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Number of Sales – During August 2008, 520 sales were reported, down approximately 23.4% from August 2007 at 679.
Average Sales Price – The average sales price for August 2008 was recorded at $228,000, down approximately 5.8% from August 2007 when the average sales [...]
UPDATE:
YES, you can use Part of the $8,000 Tax Credit to buy your new home. Very few banks are doing ...