We Buy Houses in Lehigh County
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Buying and Selling in Lehigh County — What You Need to Know
Lehigh County is the heart of the Lehigh Valley — 374,000 residents across Allentown (Pennsylvania's third-largest city and county seat), Emmaus, Whitehall Township, Macungie, Catasauqua, and dozens of smaller boroughs and townships stretching from the Pocono foothills to the Montgomery County line.
The county's housing stock spans four distinct eras: pre-1900 ironworker rowhomes in Allentown's Center City and the historic industrial corridor along the Lehigh River; 1920s–1950s twins and bungalows in the inner suburbs; post-war ranches and splits in Whitehall and the MacArthur Road corridor; and post-2000 subdivisions in Lower Macungie and Upper Macungie townships. Each era carries its own set of systems, challenges, and comps — Allentown Center City doesn't price like West End singles, and neither prices like Trexlertown new builds.
ABE Homes is inspector-owned. Mike is an InterNACHI Certified Home Inspector — InterNACHI is the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, the largest non-profit home inspector body in North America. He walks every Lehigh County property personally. That means the price on the contract is the price at closing: no post-walkthrough revision, no inflated repair estimates, no padding for the knob-and-tube wiring or original boiler that less-experienced buyers use to renegotiate after you've signed.
Lehigh County property taxes are administered by the Lehigh County Assessment Office. Foreclosure runs through the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas (judicial foreclosure state — approximately 6 months from first missed payment to sheriff sale). Tax-delinquent properties advance through the Lehigh County Tax Claim Bureau's annual Upset Sale (typically September) and Judicial Sale. Probate for inherited Lehigh County properties goes through the Lehigh County Register of Wills at 455 W Hamilton St, Allentown.
Approximately 60% of Allentown's population identifies as Hispanic per the 2020 Census — the county's demographic weight means we serve a bilingual community. Mike speaks Spanish. Every step of the process is available in Spanish: the call, the walkthrough, the written offer, the contract, and the closing.
County Offices
These are the real offices that handle foreclosure, back taxes, and probate in this county.
Foreclosure sheriff sales for Lehigh County properties are scheduled by the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas. ABE routinely closes before scheduled sale dates — call early. PA judicial foreclosure runs approximately 6 months from first missed payment.
Annual Upset Tax Sale (typically September) for properties 2+ years delinquent. Judicial Sale follows for unsold properties. ABE pays back taxes at closing from sale proceeds under Real Estate Tax Sale Law of 1947 (72 P.S. § 5860.101).
Probate for inherited Lehigh County properties. Letters Testamentary issued after filing. Once issued, executor can sell without all heirs' signatures (will permitting). ABE coordinates directly with estate attorneys.
Cities & Townships We Serve in Lehigh County
We buy in every municipality in the county. Linked towns have detailed pages with city-specific local information.
With dedicated pages
Also served — same cash close, same terms
Frequently Asked Questions — Lehigh County
What is the Lehigh County sheriff sale process?
Pennsylvania runs judicial foreclosure — the lender must file suit and obtain a court judgment before scheduling a sheriff sale at the Lehigh County Courthouse (455 W Hamilton St, Allentown). The full timeline runs approximately 6 months from first missed payment to sale. ABE routinely closes before the scheduled sale date: we pay off the lender from sale proceeds and the foreclosure case is dismissed. If a sale date is already scheduled, call us immediately — we can often still close in time.
How does the Lehigh County Tax Claim Bureau upset sale work?
The Lehigh County Tax Claim Bureau (17 S 7th St, Allentown, (610) 782-3119) runs an annual Upset Tax Sale (typically in September) for properties two or more years delinquent on county taxes. Properties that don't sell at Upset advance to a Judicial Sale. ABE closes before the Upset Sale date and pays the full tax balance at the closing table from sale proceeds — the lien is removed and you leave with a check, not a tax bill.
What is the PA inheritance tax on a Lehigh County inherited property?
Pennsylvania inheritance tax is based on your relationship to the decedent: 0% for a surviving spouse; 4.5% for lineal heirs (children, parents, grandparents); 12% for siblings; 15% for any other heir. The tax is due within 9 months of death (a 5% discount applies if paid within 3 months). For inherited Lehigh County properties, Letters Testamentary are issued at the Lehigh County Register of Wills (455 W Hamilton St, Allentown, (610) 782-3170). We settle the tax at closing from sale proceeds — heirs don't write a check up front.
What is the PA realty transfer tax in Lehigh County?
Pennsylvania realty transfer tax in Lehigh County totals 2% of the sale price: 1% to the Commonwealth plus 1% local (split between the municipality and school district). On the Allentown median of approximately $215,000, that's about $4,300 — traditionally split 50/50 between buyer and seller. On ABE cash deals we typically cover both halves. Exact local percentages vary slightly by borough or township — Allentown city, Emmaus Borough, and Whitehall Township each have their own local split.
Do you buy houses in every Lehigh County township and borough?
Yes — all of Lehigh County is in our service area. Allentown, Bethlehem (Lehigh side), Emmaus, Whitehall Township, Macungie, Catasauqua, Coopersburg, Slatington, Alburtis, Coplay, Fountain Hill, Schnecksville, South Whitehall Township, Lower Macungie Township, Upper Macungie Township, and all smaller boroughs and townships. Mike personally walks every property regardless of location within the county.
¿Hablan español para propietarios en el Condado de Lehigh?
Sí, hablamos español. Approximately 60% of Allentown residents identify as Hispanic per the 2020 Census. Mike speaks Spanish natively. Every step — the call, the walkthrough, the written offer, the contract, and the closing — is handled in Spanish if preferred. No Google Translate, no broken communication.
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Mike was straightforward from the start. No pressure, just a fair offer. We closed on our timeline and it was exactly what we needed.
Sarah T., Bethlehem
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Owner & Certified Inspector
(484) 895-1352
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