Tremont Home Sells for $69,000 - A Bargain in Upper Macungie

  tremont-home-sells-for-69-000-a-bargain-in-upper-macungie.html
  House and Home on Thu, Nov 27th, 2025 by Lehigh Valley Live
      Locale: UNITED STATES

Summary of “Sale Closed in Tremont – $69,000 for a Three‑Bedroom Home” (Lehigh Valley Live, November 2025)

The Lehigh Valley Live article reports the recent closing of a residential transaction in the town of Tremont, a small, largely residential community located within Upper Macungie Township in Lehigh County. A three‑bedroom, two‑bathroom house—listed for sale in the spring of 2025—was sold for $69,000, a price that sits well below the current median home price in the valley. The piece, dated early November, offers a detailed snapshot of the property, the parties involved, and the broader market dynamics that make such a sale noteworthy.

1. Property Overview

• Address and Neighborhood: The home sits at 1340 “Hillside Drive” (the exact address is redacted for privacy) in the residential enclave of Tremont. The street is characterized by a mix of late‑19th‑century homes and newer constructions, with many properties in the area falling between 1,500 and 2,500 square feet. Tremont is known for its quiet streets, well‑maintained sidewalks, and proximity to the Lehigh Parkway.

• Size and Layout: The structure occupies roughly 1,120 square feet on a 0.15‑acre lot. The floor plan includes three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a small kitchen with a breakfast nook, a living room that opens onto a modest patio, and a finished basement that offers additional storage space. The house’s original build date is listed as 1968, and it features a gable roof and clapboard siding.

• Condition and Upgrades: While the house’s core structure is sound, the article notes that it required cosmetic updates. The seller, a retired schoolteacher named Margaret “Maggie” Decker, had recently updated the kitchen cabinets and installed new flooring, but the roof had not yet been replaced. A minor exterior repaint was also pending. A photo gallery in the article shows a freshly painted living room and a clean, new‑floor kitchen—features that helped justify the selling price.

• Price History: When first listed on Zillow on March 12, 2025, the asking price was $79,000. The property stayed on the market for 90 days before a buyer stepped in. The final sale price of $69,000 was achieved after a short‑term offer from a local buyer who had a background in home repair and renovation.

2. Parties Involved

• Seller: Margaret Decker, a 68‑year‑old resident who had lived in the house for 30 years. She decided to downsize after her husband’s passing and wanted a smaller, more manageable property. Decker’s quote in the article: “I just wanted a house that would be easy to take care of. I’m glad I could close this quickly.”

• Buyer: Thomas “Tom” Jensen, a 32‑year‑old contractor from Allentown, known for his interest in renovating older homes. He purchased the property for $69,000 and plans to invest in a roof replacement and a minor structural renovation. Jensen told the reporter that the price was “just right for a starter home that he can turn into a rental unit.”

• Realtor: The transaction was facilitated by Harris & Co. Real Estate, represented by listing agent Sarah Kim. Kim had a 10‑year track record in Lehigh County, with an average sale price of $115,000 in 2025. In the interview, Kim highlighted that the sale was a “win‑win” for both parties: a quick closing for the seller and a solid investment for the buyer.

• Mortgage Broker: The article mentions that Jensen secured a 30‑year fixed‑rate mortgage of $55,000 through LendingWise, a local bank. He chose an adjustable‑rate component for the first five years to keep initial payments low. Kim’s notes indicate that the lender had a favorable pre‑approval for this transaction, partly due to the home’s low price point.

3. Market Context

• Price Per Square Foot: According to the Lehigh Valley Real Estate Board’s recent data, the median price per square foot in Upper Macungie Township is approximately $120. The Tremont home’s price per square foot is $61.50—significantly lower, largely due to the home’s modest square footage and the need for roof repairs.

• Comparative Sales: The article cites several recent sales in the area: a 2‑bedroom home in West Catasauqua sold for $68,000, while a 4‑bedroom, 3‑bath home in Allentown closed at $112,000. The Tremont sale is therefore positioned as a “budget” option in a market that’s trending upward.

• Trends and Forecasts: Kim points out that the valley is experiencing a slow‑but‑steady demand for affordable housing due to an influx of remote workers looking for a quiet environment. While the market price has risen by about 8% over the past year, the supply of smaller homes remains limited. In her words, “We’re seeing buyers willing to pay a premium for location, even if the price per square foot is lower.”

• Property Taxes and HOA: The home’s annual property tax is $1,450, a figure that’s below the county average. There is no HOA fee, which makes it more attractive to buyers who prefer fewer recurring expenses.

4. Follow‑up Links and Additional Resources

The article includes several hyperlinks for readers who wish to delve deeper:

1. Listing Page on Zillow – The link leads to a current Zillow listing that features a slideshow of the house’s interior and exterior, as well as a detailed description of the property’s specifications. This page also provides the property’s historical price chart and comparable listings.

2. Realtor’s Profile – A link to Sarah Kim’s professional page on Harris & Co.’s website showcases her other recent sales, her client testimonials, and her contact details.

3. Mortgage Details – The article offers a link to LendingWise’s “First‑Time Homebuyer Program,” which provides information on interest rates, down‑payment assistance, and loan programs that may be relevant to future buyers.

4. Lehigh Valley Real Estate Board Data – The link opens a PDF that includes median home prices, market absorption rates, and a summary of housing inventory levels in the valley.

These links allow readers to verify the figures cited, compare the property to others in the region, and explore financing options.

5. Take‑away

The Tremont sale demonstrates how a modest‑priced, small‑square‑footage home can still attract a buyer in a market that’s increasingly focused on larger, higher‑priced properties. For sellers, the article highlights the importance of staging and a little cosmetic work in shortening the time on market. For buyers, it underscores that affordability and location can outweigh a need for extensive renovations, especially in a county where home values are on the rise. The final price of $69,000, while below the valley’s average, offers a realistic benchmark for similar properties and points to a niche but growing segment of the local real estate market.

In a broader sense, the story is a micro‑case study of how the Lehigh Valley is adjusting to the demands of modern home buyers—those who are looking for a balance between price, location, and future value. The article concludes with a reminder that each transaction is a data point that helps shape future market forecasts, and that even a single sale can influence the narrative of affordability in the region.