How to Sell Your House in the Lehigh Valley: Bethlehem, Easton and Allentown
In short: To sell a home in the Lehigh Valley, price it from recent sales nearby, fill out Pennsylvania's Seller's Property Disclosure Statement, and schedule your city's pre-sale inspection early, because Bethlehem, Easton and Allentown all require one before the sale closes. Sellers usually pay their share of the realty transfer tax (2% in total in most of the Lehigh Valley, and 2.5% in Allentown since January 2026, split with the buyer by custom) and their agent's commission, which is always negotiable. After you accept an offer, closing usually takes 30 to 60 days.
How do I sell my home in Bethlehem?
- Call the city within 10 days of listing. The City of Bethlehem inspects every property before the title transfers, residential and commercial. The owner must call to schedule the inspection within 10 days of offering the home for sale, and the home must meet the International Property Maintenance Code and the city's zoning rules. Call the city's housing inspections office at (610) 865-7091 or (610) 865-7097.
- Price it from recent sales nearby. Ryth prepares a comparative market analysis from homes like yours that sold in your part of the city.
- Fill out the disclosures. Pennsylvania's Seller's Property Disclosure Statement, plus a lead-based paint disclosure for homes built before 1978, which covers many homes in Bethlehem.
- Market it, review offers and negotiate. Then the buyer's inspection, the appraisal and closing.
Bethlehem sits in both Northampton and Lehigh counties, so the county that records your deed depends on which side of the line the home is on.
Selling in Easton
The City of Easton requires the seller to get a Buyer Notification Inspection report from the city before any property changes hands. Book the inspection as soon as you list so it does not hold up closing.
Selling in Allentown
The City of Allentown requires a pre-sale inspection of residential and commercial properties, to the standards of the city's Property Maintenance Code. Allentown also raised its total realty transfer tax to 2.5% starting January 1, 2026, compared with 2% in most of the Lehigh Valley.
How long homes take to sell in the Lehigh Valley
| Area | Median price | Homes sold | Avg. days on market |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bethlehem, PA | $315,000 | 557 | 57 |
| Northampton County, PA | $375,000 | 2,744 | 65 |
Homes sold from October 2025 to September 2026. Source: Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS® MLS, pulled October 2026.
Once you accept an offer, closing usually takes another 30 to 60 days.
What sellers pay
- The agent's commission, which is always negotiable
- Your share of the realty transfer tax. The total is usually 2% in the Lehigh Valley (1% state and 1% local) and 2.5% in Allentown, split with the buyer by custom. See Closing costs in Pennsylvania.
- The city's pre-sale inspection fee and any repairs it requires
- Your mortgage payoff and the fee to release the lien
- Prorated property taxes for the part of the year you owned the home
- Repairs or credits you agree to after the buyer's inspection
How Ryth markets your home
Every listing gets professional photography, a targeted social media and advertising campaign, and exposure on multiple MLS systems. AI-powered visualizations can show buyers what an empty or dated room could look like. Ryth markets in English and Spanish, which reaches the Lehigh Valley's many Spanish-speaking buyers.
Selling in the Poconos instead? See How to sell your house in the Poconos.
Sources
- City of Bethlehem: housing inspections when a property is sold
- City of Easton: Buyer Notification ordinance (Chapter 222)
- City of Allentown: pre-sale inspections
- Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS®: Allentown transfer tax increase
- Pennsylvania's Real Estate Seller Disclosure Law (68 Pa.C.S. Chapter 73)
- U.S. EPA: lead-based paint disclosure for homes built before 1978
- Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission: Consumer Notice (PDF)
What clients say
Vara was quick with locating a buyer for my property. He had a very successful marketing plan and had my house on contract just a few weeks after listing.
Questions
How do I sell my home in Bethlehem, PA?
Schedule the city's required inspection within 10 days of listing, price the home from recent sales nearby, and fill out Pennsylvania's seller disclosure form. The City of Bethlehem inspects every property before the title transfers, so starting early keeps it from delaying closing.
How long does it take to sell a house in Bethlehem?
Homes in the City of Bethlehem that sold from October 2025 to September 2026 spent an average of 57 days on the market, according to the Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS® MLS. After you accept an offer, closing usually takes another 30 to 60 days.
Do I need an inspection to sell my house in Allentown or Easton?
Yes. Allentown requires a pre-sale inspection, and Easton requires a Buyer Notification Inspection, before a property changes hands. Bethlehem requires one too.
What is the transfer tax in Allentown?
2.5% in total since January 1, 2026: 1% to the state and 1.5% local. By custom, buyer and seller split it, but the split is negotiable.
Do I have to fix everything the buyer's inspection finds?
No. Repairs after the buyer's own inspection are negotiated. Items the city's pre-sale inspection requires are a separate matter, and Ryth helps you plan for both.
Thinking about selling in the Lehigh Valley?
Ryth answers in English or Spanish — call or text 929.345.6838, or send a message.
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