Lehigh Valley, PA

The Lehigh Valley is currently going through a January thaw. Right now the temperatures are in the mid 50's and it is raining. Sounds like typical spring weather, right?

You're right, it is typical spring weather, but this is January, the middle of winter. It's usually cold, windy and snowy this time of year.

It seems like some of nature has been fooled it is spring.

Yesterday, while out showing homes, one of the homes had a large open area next to it. Would you believe I saw robins in that field. Not one or two, but dozens. I had to take a double take to make sure I was seeing correctly. My buyer was with me, so I do have a witness.

Normally, robins are considered as one of the first signs of spring. Does this mean that spring is around the corner? Or, with this January thaw, have the robins have been fooled?

I don't know the answer to that, but I will take spring right about now. I am most ready for it.

Brigita McKelvie, REALTOR, e-PRO, GRI

Pennsylvania License #RS297130

Keller Williams Real Estate, Bethlehem, PA

Here is a comparison of activity comparing December 2008 to December 2009:

The number of sales reported during December 2009 were 366, up approximately 7% from December 2008 at 342.

The average sales price for December 2009 was recorded at $206,000, down approximately 1.4% from December 2008, when the average sales price of the month was recorded at $209,000. The average sales price is obtained by dividing the number of sales into the total sales dollars.

The median sales price for December 2009 was recorded at $184,000, which is an increase compared to December 2008 with a median price of $180,000. The median indicates the mid-point of the range of prices - half the homes sell for less, while half the homes sell for more.

The average time on the market for properties sold during December 2009 was 84 days, an increase from 78 days in December 2008.

The average sale price compared to list price for residential properties sold during the month of December 2009 is 96%, which is an increase compared to December 2008 at 95%.

Brigita McKelvie, REALTOR, e-PRO, GRI

Pennsylvania License #RS 297130

Keller Williams Real Estate, Bethlehem, PA

The figures for the Market Update for December 2009 for the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania have just been released. Here is how they look:

The number of sales for December 2009 were down appoximately 39.6% with 366 sales reported as compared to 606 in November 2009.

The average sales price for December 2009 was recorded at $206,000, up approximately 8.4% from November 2009, when the average sales price of the month was recorded at $190,000.

The median sales price for December 2009 was recorded at $184,000 which is an increase compared to November 2009 with a median of $175,000.

The average time on the market for properties sold during December 2009 was 84 days, which is an increase compared to November 2009 at 78 days.

The average sales price of newly constructed homes, consisting of 4 bedroom and 2 1/2 baths, for December 2009 is $345,000, which in November 2009 was recorded at $354,000. The median price for new construction on Decmeber 2009 is $353,000 and $368,000 in November 2009. A total of 10 new construction properties were sold in Decmeber 2009.

December Sales Distribution

Sale Price Number of Sales
under $70,000 31
$70,001 - $100,000 24
$100,001 - $150,000 79
$150,001 - $200,000 74
$200,001 - $250,000 62
$250,001 - $300,000 37
$300,001 - $350,000 22
$350,001 - $400,000 15
$400,001 - $450,000 9
$450,001 - $500,000 4
$500,001 - $600,000 4
$600,001 - $700,000 2
$700,001 - $800,000 2
$800,001 and above 1

Brigita McKelvie, REALTOR, e-PRO, GRI

Pennsylvania License #RS 297130

Keller Williams Real Estate, Bethlehem, PA

'Tis the Christmas season and you keep singing "Jingle Bells". You would love to experience a horse-drawn carriage ride, hear the clip clop of the horses hooves and see the Christmas lights without the confines of a car.

The Lehigh Valley offers several different horse-drawn carriage rides.

For the first-time this year, you can enjoy the Lights in the Parkway in Allentown on a horse-drawn carriage ride.

Or, how about carriage rides through the historic area of downtown Bethlehem. Enjoy the traditional white Christmas lights, the sound of carols and the sound of hoofbeats on Bethlehem's historic city streets.

Easton offers 20 minute horse-drawn carriage rides through it's city streets and through the center square for a Victorian Christmas. Carolers dressed in Victorian garb will sing in front of shops and restaurants along the route.

Rather have a ride through the woods instead of the city streets? Don't fret! There's also a ride for you. Flint Hill Farm in Coopersburg offers "Lights in the Woods" horse-drawn hay wagon rides along the decorated and lit fences of the farm. As you hear the clip clop of the horse's hooves, you start singing "Jingle Bells". At the end of the ride, you can warm up by the bonfire and even toast some marshmallows.

No matter which way you go, through city streets, lights on the parkway, or through the woods, it will truly be a memorable Christmas experience in the Lehigh Valley. Remember to dress warm for it, though.

The Lehigh Valley Association of REALTORS just released the statistics for the Market Update for November 2009. There is great news!

The number of sales for November 2009 increased by 12.8% with 606 sales, up from 537 sales in October 2009.

The average sales price remained the same for November 2009 at $190,000 as compared to October 2009.

The median sales price fpr November 2009 was recorded at $175,000, which is an increase compared to October 2009 with a median price of $173,000.

The average market time for properties sold during November 2009 stayed the same as compared to October 2009 at 78 days.

New construction also saw an increase in sales with 13 sold in November 2009 as compared to 10 in October 2009. The average sales price of newly constructed homes with 4 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths is $354,000 in November 2009 down from $451,000 in October 2009. The median price of new construction in November 2009 is $368,000 where in October 2009 it was $410,000.

November Sales Distribution

Sale Price Number of Sales
under $70,000 38
$70,001 - $100,000 47
$100,001 - $150,000 145
$150,001 - $200,000 153
$200,001 - $250,000 107
$250,001 - $300,000 61
$300,001 - $350,000 24
$350,001 - $400,000 16
$400,001 - $450,000 10
$450,001 - $500,000 3
$500,001 - $600,000 1
$600,001 - $700,000 1
$700,001 - $800,000 0
$800,001 and above 0