Brigita McKelvie - Lehigh Valley, PA, Residential, Rural & Horse Properties

Here is what's happening in the Parkland and Northwestern Lehigh Area School Districts in Pennsylvania for October 2009 in Real Estate:

October, 2009	Parkland Area School District, Pennsylvania	Northwestern Lehigh School District, Pennsylvania
Number of Sales	43	8
Average Price	$233,000	$241,000
Median Sales Price	$210,000	$227,000
Active Listings (homes that are for sale)	90	14
New Listings	92	14
Pending Sales	34	8

Recommendation:

If you're buying a home, it is important that you work closely with a highly-motivated agent who understands what's going on with the real estate market and local economy. He/She will be able to advise you on how to get the most for your money and what homes you may want to avoid, as there are homes on the market that are not priced at their fair market value.

If you're selling your home, it's also important that you work closely with a highly-motivated agent who understands what's going on with the market and local economy. Your goal is to net top dollar - which you may not achieve if you overprice or underprice your home.

Here is what's happening in the Pen Argyl and Bangor Area School Districts in Pennsylvania for October 2009 in Real Estate:

October, 2009	Pen Argyl area School District, Pennsylvania	Bangor Area School District, Pennsylvania
Number of Sales	10	20
Average Price	$227,000	$181,000
Median Sales Price	$223,000	$168,000
Active Listings (homes that are for sale)	12	38
New Listings	16	37
Pending Sales	8	16

Recommendation:

If you're buying a home, it is important that you work closely with a highly-motivated agent who understands what's going on with the real estate market and local economy. He/She will be able to advise you on how to get the most for your money and what homes you may want to avoid, as there are homes on the market that are not priced at their fair market value.

If you're selling your home, it's also important that you work closely with a highly-motivated agent who understands what's going on with the market and local economy. Your goal is to net top dollar - which you may not achieve if you overprice or underprice your home.

Here is what's happening in the Nazareth Area School District and Northampton Area School District in Pennsylvania for October 2009 in Real Estate:

October, 2009	Nazareth Area School District, Pennsylvania	Northampton Area School District, Pennsylvania
Number of Sales	30	28
Average Price	$260,000	$164,000
Median Sales Price	$217,000	$159,000
Active Listings (homes that are for sale)	40	73
New Listings	39	86
Pending Sales	18	27

Recommendation:

If you're buying a home, it is important that you work closely with a highly-motivated agent who understands what's going on with the real estate market and local economy. He/She will be able to advise you on how to get the most for your money and what homes you may want to avoid, as there are homes on the market that are not priced at their fair market value.

If you're selling your home, it's also important that you work closely with a highly-motivated agent who understands what's going on with the market and local economy. Your goal is to net top dollar - which you may not achieve if you overprice or underprice your home.

Looking at the Market Update for October 2009, the real estate market seems to be improving in the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania. Here are the statistics:

During October 2009, 537 sales were reported, which is up about 2.1% from September 2009 at 526.

The average sales price for October 2009 decreased about 4% at $190,000 as compared to September 2009 at $198,000.

The median sales price for October 2009 was recorded at $173,000, which is a decrease compared to September 2009 with a median of $177,000.

The average time on the market for properties sold during October 2009 was 78 days, which is an increase compared to September 2009 at 74 days.

Ten new construction properties sold during October 2009, while only 7 sold in September 2009. The average sales price for newly constructed homes with 4 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths in October 2009 was $451,000 while in September 2009 the average sales price was recorded at $379,000. The median sales price for October 2009 for new construction was $410,000 as compared to $356,000 in September 2009. That's good news for new construction in the Lehigh Valley.

October Sales Distribution

Sale Price Number of Sales
Under $70,000 56
$70,001 - $100,000 31
$100,001 - $150,000 120
$150,001 - $200,000 142
$200,001 - $250,000 84
$250,001 - $300,000 41
$300,001 - $350,000 25
$350,001 - $400,000 17
$400,001 - $450,000 5
$450,001 - $500,000 4
$500,001 - $600,000 6
$600,001 - $700,000 3
$700,001 - $800,000 2
$800,001 and above 1

YEAR IN REVIEW

Comparison of Activity from October 2008 to October 2009

During October 2009, 537 sales were reported, up about 30% from October 2008 at 413.

The average sales price for October 2009 was recorded at $190,000, down about 10.4% from October 2008 when the average sales price was recorded at $212,000.

The median sales price for October 2009 was recorded at $173,000 which was a decrease compared to October 2008 with a median price of $182,000.

The average time on the market for properties sold during October 2009 was 78 days, an increase from 71 days in October 2008.

The Trexler Nature Preserve has opened for all to enjoy in the Lehigh Valley area in Pennsylvania.

Gen. Harry C. Trexler, who died in 1993 and was Lehigh County's most influential citizen, left more than 1,100 acres in the Schnecksville area to the people of the county to enjoy the great outdoors. He wanted to help conserve some of our wildlife in the proper setting. Gen. Trexler loved the outdoors and gave the property to share his love of the outdoors with his fellow people and future generations.

Friday, October 30th, 2009, county and other officials formally dedicated the Trexler Nature Preserve. It is now open for hiking, walking, biking, horseback riding, bird watching, picnicing, fishing, and bow hunting in season.

For years, the Lehigh Valley Zoo, located in a small section of the property, was the only accessible part of the land to the public. A few years ago the county leased the zoo to a private operator. The county then developed a plan for the preserve.

The project included removing non-native plants, allowing native brush to grow and animals such as red fox, coyotes, deer, turkey and bluebirds to thrive.

Stream beds were also restored so people could fish.

The Wildlands Conservancy helped in developing the plan. Community groups such as The Valley Mountain Bikers, the International Mountain Bikers and the Lehigh County Equestrian Council helped build the trails and the Appalacian Mountain Club helped the county parks department with trail mapping.

For more information, click here.