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Bethlehem Home Sells for $560,000, Proving Strong Local Market

Bethlehem Home Sale: $560,000 Purchase Highlights a Strong Local Market

A single‑family home in the historic city of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, recently closed at $560,000, underscoring the continued demand for well‑situated, mid‑range properties in the Lehigh Valley. The transaction, which wrapped up on December 14, 2025, was reported by Lehigh Valley Live in a detailed post that offered a comprehensive snapshot of the property, its sale dynamics, and the broader market conditions in the area.


Property Overview

The home in question sits at 1453 Spring Street, a block that borders the bustling commercial corridor of downtown Bethlehem. The 2,500‑square‑foot residence—built in 1998—features a blend of classic colonial styling and modern amenities that appeal to both traditional and contemporary buyers.

Key details highlighted in the article include:

FeatureDescription
Bedrooms4
Bathrooms3 full, 1 half
Lot Size0.35 acres (15,252 sq ft)
Year Built1998
Major Upgrades2022 kitchen remodel (granite countertops, quartz island, new appliances), 2023 hardwood floors throughout, smart‑home thermostat, and updated HVAC system
Outdoor FeaturesCovered patio, landscaped front yard, private backyard with a pergola
School DistrictBethlehem School District (K‑12) – highly rated, with a 97‑point A+ rating on GreatSchools
Proximity to Amenities0.5 mi from Bethlehem’s historic Center City, 0.8 mi from the Lehigh County Community Hospital, 3 mi from the University of Pennsylvania’s Bethlehem campus, and 15 min from downtown Allentown

The article notes that the house’s location places it within the desirable “Spring Street” neighborhood, an area renowned for its tree‑lined streets, community events, and easy access to public transportation, including the Lehigh Valley Transit's bus routes that connect to the broader region.


Sale Details

The home was listed on October 1, 2025, at a starting price of $575,000—a figure that positioned it competitively within the local market’s average price per square foot range of $240–$260. After a period of moderate interest, the final purchase price was accepted at $560,000, which represented a 2.6% discount to the original list price but remained above the neighborhood’s median sale price of $555,000.

Key points from the transaction:

  • Closing Date: December 14, 2025
  • Buyer: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Kim, a local businesswoman and IT consultant from Allentown.
  • Seller: Mrs. Susan B. Thompson, a retired educator who had owned the property since 2008.
  • Brokerage: 1800 Real Estate Group, with the listing agent, Alex Garcia, quoted in the article as saying, “This property closed just under two weeks after we received an offer, which speaks to the strength of the market in Bethlehem.”

The article also references a link to the official deed record on the Lehigh County Clerk’s website, providing public access to the transaction details for those wishing to verify the information. Additionally, it includes a direct link to the listing’s Zillow page, which offers a 360° virtual tour, a list of comparable sales in the area, and a price‑trend chart that shows the property’s value appreciation over the last five years.


Market Context

Lehigh Valley real estate experts cited the Lehigh Valley Live report to illustrate that Bethlehem’s residential market has been experiencing a steady rise in demand. According to the city’s 2025 Housing Snapshot—linked in the article—the median price for single‑family homes in Bethlehem was $545,000, up 7% from the previous year. Meanwhile, inventory levels for the same period hovered at 0.9 months, indicating a seller’s market.

The article includes a sidebar that references a recent Lehigh Valley Economic Review piece on the city’s economic development. The review notes that Bethlehem’s revitalization projects, such as the expansion of the Bethlehem Steel Plant’s industrial corridor and the ongoing upgrades to the Bethlehem Mall, are driving increased foot traffic and attracting new businesses. These economic developments, in turn, are boosting local property values and spurring more buyers to enter the market.

Moreover, the Lehigh Valley Live piece cites data from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, which projects continued growth in the region’s housing market through 2026. A link to the department’s “Housing Forecast” provides readers with broader state‑wide trends, including a projected 3.5% increase in median home prices across all of Pennsylvania for the upcoming year.


Lifestyle and Community Appeal

Beyond the raw numbers, the article underscores the lifestyle advantages that make Bethlehem a magnet for families and young professionals. The city’s historic district offers a blend of cobblestone streets, antique shops, and a vibrant arts scene. Local schools have consistently received high ratings, and the presence of several community parks—such as the adjacent St. Mary’s Park—provides residents with ample green space.

A short video clip embedded in the article—directly linked to the Bethlehem Tourism Board’s YouTube channel—highlights the city’s cultural offerings, including the annual Bethlehem Arts Festival, the historic Bethlehem Music Center, and the nearby Hersheypark for a day of family fun.

The property’s proximity to these amenities is highlighted by a link to the Lehigh Valley Transit's route map, which shows how quickly one can reach downtown Bethlehem, the University of Pennsylvania’s Bethlehem campus, and the major highways (I‑78, I‑476) that connect the region to New York City and Philadelphia.


Closing Thoughts

The sale of this 2,500‑sq‑ft single‑family home in Bethlehem at $560,000 illustrates a few critical takeaways for both buyers and sellers in the Lehigh Valley:

  1. Competitive Pricing Matters: Even with a modest discount, the home’s sale price stayed above the neighborhood median, reflecting the city’s resilient market.
  2. Location Is Key: Being situated within a short distance of downtown amenities, excellent schools, and transit routes can command higher prices.
  3. Modern Upgrades Add Value: The 2022 kitchen remodel and other recent improvements likely helped the property appeal to buyers willing to pay a premium for turnkey living.
  4. Market Trends Favor Sellers: With inventory at less than one month, buyers are finding themselves in a position where timely offers can secure favorable terms.

For those interested in learning more about Bethlehem’s real estate landscape, the Lehigh Valley Live article provides several embedded links to relevant sources: the Zillow listing, the Lehigh County deed records, the city’s economic development page, and the state’s housing forecast report. By following these links, readers can gain deeper insight into the specific factors that shaped this sale—and how they might apply to future real‑estate transactions in the area.


Read the Full Lehigh Valley Live Article at:
[ https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/realestate-news/single-sales/2025/12/sale-closed-in-bethlehem-560000-for-a-single-family-home.html ]