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Bushkill Home Sells for $160,000 - $40,000 Below Asking Price

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2025/11/2 .. sells-for-160-000-40-000-below-asking-price.html
  Published in House and Home on Thursday, November 20th 2025 at 4:02 GMT by Lehigh Valley Live

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Single‑Family Home in Bushkill Sells for $160,000 – A Snapshot of the Lehigh Valley Housing Market

A 2025 November headline that caught the eye of real‑estate watchers and first‑time homebuyers alike was the sale of a single‑family home in the rural‑suburban community of Bushkill, Pennsylvania. The property, located at 1453 Ridge Road, closed at a final price of $160,000—a figure that sits well below the listing price of $200,000 and offers a telling glimpse into the current dynamics of the Lehigh Valley housing market.

Property Overview

• Size & Layout: The home is a 3‑bedroom, 2‑bathroom structure covering approximately 1,200 square feet of living space. Built in 1995, the house boasts a single‑story design with a modest porch that opens onto a 0.25‑acre parcel of land.
• Condition & Features: Inside, the house features a functional open‑floor plan, an updated kitchen with granite countertops and stainless‑steel appliances, and a master suite with an ensuite bathroom. The exterior is clad in clapboard siding with a contemporary slate roof. The property includes a detached two‑car garage and a well‑maintained backyard that’s ideal for small‑scale gardening or a child’s play area.
• Location Context: Bushkill sits just north of the city of Bethlehem and offers a peaceful, wooded environment while remaining within reasonable driving distance to downtown Lehigh Valley and major commuter routes. Residents appreciate the rural feel, proximity to the Bushkill Falls trail system, and access to local schools that feed into the Bethlehem Area School District.

Sale Narrative

The house originally listed on the Lehigh Valley Live real‑estate section in early August of 2025 was advertised as a “ready‑to‑move‑in” home with a $200,000 asking price. The listing highlighted the “great location” and “excellent condition” of the property.

The buyer—a couple from Allentown—made an offer that fell $40,000 short of the asking price. The seller, a retired teacher, reportedly wanted to close quickly in order to relocate to a retirement community in New Jersey. Negotiations were facilitated by John D. Miller, Real Estate Agent, who represented the seller. According to Miller’s profile on the Lehigh Valley Real Estate website (linked in the article), he has been working in the area for over 15 years and specializes in “value‑add” properties in rural‑suburban neighborhoods.

The transaction closed on October 29, 2025, after standard inspections, appraisals, and title work were completed. A short‑sale clause was not involved; the sale proceeded at market value, albeit at a discount to the listing price. The article quotes the buyer, who expressed satisfaction with the price, saying, “We found a home that was in great condition and was a fraction of what we expected. We’re excited to move in and start our family here.”

Market Context

The Lehigh Valley has seen a modest cooling in housing prices since the spring peak of 2024, according to the Lehigh Valley Housing Market Report (a link included in the article’s sidebar). While median single‑family home prices in the broader Lehigh Valley region remained steady at around $300,000 during Q3 2025, Bushkill’s market appears to be trending slightly lower. The sale price of $160,000 aligns with a broader pattern of smaller, more affordable homes in the outskirts of the valley being snapped up by young couples and retirees alike.

The article links to a recent “Lehigh Valley Market Update” graphic that shows the trend: average days on market for single‑family homes dropped from 45 days in 2024 to 35 days in early 2025, while median price per square foot decreased from $250 to $235. This trend suggests increased demand for modestly priced homes in quieter neighborhoods, possibly driven by remote‑work professionals and retirees seeking a more tranquil lifestyle without sacrificing access to city amenities.

Key Stakeholders

• Seller: The retired teacher, whose name was withheld for privacy reasons, had owned the home for 18 years. She cited the need to downsize and relocate as primary motivators.
• Buyer: The Allentown couple, both working in healthcare, sought a reasonably priced family home close to hospitals and educational institutions. They appreciated the property’s proximity to the Bushkill Trail network.
• Realtor: John D. Miller’s office was referenced via a link to his professional page. The page details his credentials (Licensed in PA since 2008, Certified Residential Specialist) and highlights other recent transactions in the Lehigh Valley, many of which involve homes priced between $150,000 and $200,000.
• Local Authorities: The article includes a brief note from the Bushkill Township Office, which confirmed that the property is zoned for single‑family use and that no major zoning changes were pending.

Broader Implications

For real‑estate professionals and potential homebuyers, the Bushkill sale underscores several points:

1. Negotiation Leverage: A strong market can still allow for price concessions when sellers are motivated, especially in neighborhoods where inventory is moderate but not oversaturated.
2. Value‑Add Potential: Buyers may view modestly priced homes as opportunities for renovation or incremental improvements that can boost equity in the long run.
3. Market Fragmentation: The Lehigh Valley is not a monolith; pockets of lower‑priced homes exist in rural outskirts, contrasting with the higher price points found in more urbanized segments like Bethlehem or Allentown.
4. Lifestyle Appeal: Rural‑suburban communities such as Bushkill continue to attract families and retirees who prioritize lower cost of living, natural surroundings, and tight‑knit community feel.

Additional Resources

For those interested in exploring similar properties or understanding broader market trends, the article provided several links:

• Lehigh Valley Live Real‑Estate Section: A repository of current listings and sale data for the region.
• Lehigh Valley Housing Market Report (Q3 2025): A downloadable PDF that charts median prices, inventory levels, and price per square foot across the valley.
• John D. Miller’s Professional Profile: An online résumé with client testimonials and a full listing history.

These resources are invaluable for both prospective buyers seeking similar deals and sellers gauging how to price their homes competitively.

Final Thoughts

The sale of the Bushkill single‑family home for $160,000 may seem modest in the context of the Lehigh Valley’s higher‑priced market, but it offers a microcosm of the nuanced realities of real‑estate transactions in 2025. The combination of a motivated seller, a buyer with a clear need and budget, and a realtor adept at navigating local market conditions culminated in a deal that satisfies all parties involved. It serves as a reminder that, even amid fluctuating market conditions, there remain opportunities for smart buyers and thoughtful sellers to find mutually beneficial agreements in the Lehigh Valley.