Easton Area Real Estate Sales Up in Down Market

Home sales across the Valley may have fallen last month compared to May last year, but Easton seems to be more immune than most local communities to the economic woes that have stalled sales elsewhere.

“I've been really busy. I've had a better spring this year than last year,” local real estate broker Ellen Shaughnessy said, noting that she's sold three times as many properties this year than at the same time in 2010. “I don't know if it's a fluke, but I'll take it.”

The associate broker for Prudential Paul Ford on Bushkill Street in the city says sales are a little better in the suburbs, such as Forks and Palmer, but city properties are still selling too.

“Overall, things do seem to be moving. Both residential and commercial sales are more encouraging this spring,” Shaughnessy said. “The real estate market has certainly been affected by the recession and the number of foreclosures and short sales. It is still a buyer's market, but this spring seems more encouraging for real estate values on a local level.”

Most of the properties range in asking price up to $350,000—properties in the higher ranges are still slow, she said.

Still, the area, and the city in particular is attracting residents from out-of-state, particularly New York and Brooklyn.

“I think that it's interesting because when you have people coming from outside , they seem very impressed with the affordability,” Shaughnessy said. “Basically when someone comes here...from New York...they seem pretty blown away. 'This is such an opportunity here.' I love hearing that.

“You can get pretty bogged down sometimes, and that can make your day,” she added.

While the city may be attracting more out-of-towners, in the suburbs, Palmer ReMax agent Al Moll says he's selling more homes to local buyers.

He concurs that Easton area sales are up this past May compared to 2010, saying he'd just seen a ReMax report confirming it.

“They are much improved over last year. The whole market has improved,” he said. “It's just a great time to buy.”

The spring season is particularly popular, as families are eager to relocate during summer months when children are out of school.

But the improvement is not out of the blue.

“It's been a gradual thing,” Moll said.

Most of the properties he's selling range up to about $250,000, and then he's showing a few in the over-$350,000 range, he said.

Whether the trend will continue remains to be seen, he said, adding that the answer will be clearer after summer sales numbers come in in August.

Shaughnessy, however is optimistic and plans to market some homes locally in Brooklyn and other New York neighborhoods.

She says job market recovery is key to home sales, and the local outlook is good. She especially has hopes for the jobs the new St. Luke's hospital center in Bethlehem Township will bring, along with other signs of recovery.

“If people are feeling more confident in the job market, then they will feel more confident in making a major investment purchase,” she said.