3899 Route 378 · Bethlehem, PA 18015

$135,000

3 bd · 1.0 ba · 1,008 sqft · SingleFamily public records · 54 Days on market

Built 1900 4,510 sqft lot $134/sqft · 49% below area Est $262k · 49% under

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Why this score? — see what drove the A- grade

The composite is a weighted blend of 9 inputs, each scored 0–100. Each bar is that input's sub-score; the figure is the points it added to the 100-point composite (weight × sub-score).

• Cash flow +30.0/30.0
• ARV discount +15.0/15.0
• DSCR +10.0/10.0
• 1% rule +9.3/10.0
• Schools +5.4/10.0
• Rent growth +4.3/5.0
• Livability +4.1/5.0
• Condition / age +2.5/5.0
• Appreciation +0.0/10.0

Listing remarks MLS

Opportunity to restore and reimagine this early 1900s Colonial in Lower Saucon Township. This detached home offers over 1,000 square feet above grade with public water and sewer. The property requires repairs, updating, and reconfiguration and is being sold as-is. Buyers should anticipate improvement work throughout. Located along Route 378 with convenient access to commuter routes. Due to the setting, access and parking may be limited. Surrounded by natural scenery, the property offers privacy and long-term potential for the right buyer. This home is best suited for those seeking opportunity in the Saucon Valley School District.

Key facts

• Privacy
• Early 1900s colonial
• 4,510 sq ft lot

Tags

• EARLY 1900S COLONIAL
• PUBLIC WATER AND SEWER
• PRIVACY
• SAUCON VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 3-bed/1.0-bath single-family listed at $135k.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $577 ($7k/yr) — positive.
• The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
• Meets the 1% rule at list price ($2k rent vs $135k).
• Recommended offer: $131k (3.0% below list) — sets the bar for market timing.
• Cap rate 11.4% vs local median 4.3% in Bethlehem — top-decile yield for the area; either an underpriced asset or a hidden risk that comps aren't pricing in. Stress-test before assuming the spread holds.

Location & tenants

• Location reads 82/100 on livability (#138 in PA, #1,122 nationally) — a professional / high-income tenant draw. Strengths: amenities A+, cost of living A+, housing A+; Watch: commute F.
• Saucon Valley SD (suburban): math 57% / reading 66% proficiency, ranked #58 of 539 in PA (top 11%) — acceptable for families but not a draw, mixed tenant base, ~2y average lease; only 18% free/reduced lunch — higher-income household profile.
• Market conditions: Rents rising fast (+7.2%/yr); 156 active listings in the ZIP; 29 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals at typical pace (median 24d on market — plan ~3-4 weeks tenant-placement turnaround); 567 units permitted in Northampton County in 2024 (151 in 5+ unit buildings).
• This rent runs 38% of the median local income ($61k/yr) — at the standard rent-burdened threshold; future hikes will face affordability resistance.

Forward outlook

• Local home prices are declining (-3.0%/yr); year-one equity from $933 of loan paydown is wiped out by about $4k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
• At projected returns (-3.0% appreciation + 7.2% rent growth), your $38k cash investment doubles in ~6 years — after that, you're playing with house money.

Negotiation context

• It's been on market 54 days — a 3% lower offer ($131k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
• 11 sale attempts since 24y ago; this cycle's ask has dropped $15k (10%) from the opening price — seller is motivated, your offer sets the floor, not the list.

Risks & watch-outs

• Watch-outs: built in 1900 — expect roof / HVAC / electrical / plumbing capex.
• Climate carrying-cost: moderate wildfire risk — expect insurance premiums to compound above CPI over the hold.

Recommended offer $130,950 (3.0% below list)

Questions for the listing agent

1. It's been on market 54 days. Have you received any prior offers? Is the seller open to a 3% concession, seller financing, or rate buy-down credit?
2. Built in 1900 — when were the roof, HVAC, electrical panel, plumbing, and water heater last replaced?
3. Is there a deadline driving the sale (1031 exchange, divorce, estate, relocation)? That informs how much negotiation room exists.
4. Schools are B-rated — typically a magnet for longer-tenancy family renters. What's the average tenant stay here, and is there a school-zone premium baked into asking?
5. What's the average days-on-market for RENTAL listings here right now (not sales)? A rising rental-DOM trend means longer vacancies and softer asking-rent achievability than the comps imply.
6. What's the recent tenant-quality profile in this submarket — average credit score on applications, eviction rate, late-payment / NSF rate, and stable-employment percentage? A property-management company in the area should have these aggregated.
7. How much new for-sale + rental construction is in the pipeline within 1–3 miles? Heavy new supply typically softens prices + rents 12–24 months out; constrained supply supports both.

Investment metrics

• 1% rule: 1.43% ✓
• Cap rate: 11.42%
• Cash-on-cash: 18.32%
• DSCR: 1.82
• GRM: 5.8

CMA / ARV

• ARV (median comp): $262,249
• List price: $135,000
• Delta: -48.52%
• Verdict: UNDERPRICED
• Comps: 20 within 1.0 mi

Show comp detail 6 sales within ~0.75 mi

Address	Dist	Beds/Ba	Sqft	Sold	Price	$/sf	Match
703 Canning St	0.39mi	3/1.0	1,038 (+3%)	12mo	$185,000	$178	67
613 S Hoffert St	0.22mi	3/1.5	1,125 (+12%)	11mo	$285,000	$253	59
22 Warren	0.42mi	2/1.0 (-1)	1,103 (+9%)	4mo	$255,000	$231	56
1344 Moravia St	0.46mi	3/1.5	1,046 (+4%)	19mo	$280,000	$268	54
501 Sioux St St	0.33mi	3/3.0	1,120 (+11%)	6mo	$234,900	$210	54
711 S Hoffert St	0.19mi	2/2.0 (-1)	1,125 (+12%)	12mo	$265,000	$236	53

Match score weights: distance 35% · size 25% · config 20% · recency 20%. Top-matched comps best support the ARV.

Projected returns pro-forma

-3.0% appreciation · 7.18% rent growth · sell at horizon

5-year hold

• IRR: 14.7%
• Equity multiple: 1.62×
• Total profit: $23,407
• Equity at exit: $20,129

10-year hold

• IRR: 26.4%
• Equity multiple: 3.80×
• Total profit: $105,818
• Equity at exit: $11,672

Cash invested: $37,800 (down + closing). Projections, not guarantees.

Landlord ↔ Tenant lean methodology

• Overall (STATE): 62 Landlord-Friendly
• State Pennsylvania: 62 Landlord-Friendly · EVEN
• County: — inherits STATE
• City: — inherits STATE

10-day notice; Philadelphia has eviction-court diversion + some protections; otherwise moderate.

Methodology + full state rankings →

ZIP-level market 18015

• Home prices YoY: -30.7%
• Rents YoY: 7.2%
• Active inventory: 156
• Price-to-rent: 5.8×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $1,935 high
• Mortgage (P&I): −$708
• Tax from tax record: −$187 /mo · $2,246/yr
• Insurance: −$56
• HOA: −$0
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$406
• Net cashflow: $577

Break-even live

Break-even rent $1,204

Max offer price $135,000

Occupancy floor 65%

Sensitivity live

Price	-10% $654	-5% $615	+0% $577	+5% $539	+10% $501
Rent	-10% $424	-5% $501	+0% $577	+5% $654	+10% $730
Rate	-1.0pp $645	-0.5pp $612	base $577	+0.5pp $542	+1.0pp $507

UW: 25.0% down · 7.5% · 30yr · 1.5% tax · 5.0% vac · 8.0% maint · 8.0% mgmt

Financing live

Cash to close

• Down payment: $33,750
• Closing costs: $4,050
• Reserves months: —
• Total cash needed: —

Rent comps 29 comps

Address	Beds	Baths	Sqft	Rent	$/sqft	DOM	Units	Dist
14 Finady Ave Bethlehem, PA	3.0	1.5	1500	$1,600	$1.07	22d	1	0.16mi
406 W 9th St Bethlehem, PA	3.0	1.0	1152	$2,100	$1.82	22d	1	0.36mi
1217 Broadway Unit 2 Fountain Hill, PA	2.0	1.0	1340	$1,550	$1.16	24d	1	0.42mi
541 Jischke St Bethlehem, PA	3.0	1.0	1090	$1,800	$1.65	24d	1	0.46mi
708 Cherokee St Bethlehem, PA	3.0	1.5	1200	$2,500	$2.08	44d	1	0.56mi
1129 Russell Ave Fountain Hill, PA	3.0	1.0	1376	$1,750	$1.27	24d	1	0.57mi
1129 Russell Ave Fountain Hill, PA	3.0	1.0	1376	$1,900	$1.38	44d	1	0.57mi
521 Hess St Bethlehem, PA	3.0	1.0	1120	$1,500	$1.34	22d	1	0.59mi
540 Seneca St Apt 2 Bethlehem, PA	2.0	1.0	950	$1,520	$1.60	3d	1	0.60mi
517 Seneca St Unit 3 Bethlehem, PA	2.0	1.0	750	$1,600	$2.13	44d	1	0.66mi
517 Seneca St Unit 1 Bethlehem, PA	2.0	1.5	1500	$2,200	$1.47	44d	1	0.66mi
414 Cherokee St Unit 414 2nd Fl Bethlehem, PA	2.0	1.0	800	$1,800	$2.25	15d	1	0.73mi
228 W 3rd St Bethlehem, PA	2.0	1.0	750	$1,595	$2.13	44d	1	0.86mi
11 W 2nd St Bethlehem, PA	2.0	2.0	1620	$2,550	$1.57	24d	4	1.07mi
565 W Lehigh St Bethlehem, PA	1.0–2.0	1.0–2.0	875	$1,950	$2.23	44d	1	1.10mi
311 E 3rd St Bethlehem, PA	2.0	2.0	1189	$2,330	$1.96	3d	3	1.14mi
436 Pierce St Bethlehem, PA	4.0	2.0	1452	$2,250	$1.55	3d	1	1.17mi
824 E 8th St Bethlehem, PA	2.0	1.5	952	$1,400	$1.47	44d	1	1.25mi
740 Laufer St Bethlehem, PA	3.0	1.5	910	$1,650	$1.81	15d	1	1.27mi
320 2nd Ave Bethlehem, PA	3.0	1.0	1024	$1,950	$1.90	3d	1	1.28mi
610 E 3rd St Bethlehem, PA	1.0–2.0	1.0–2.0	974	$3,008	$3.09	3d	8	1.30mi
738 E 4th St Unit 1 Bethlehem, PA	3.0	1.0	750	$1,600	$2.13	15d	1	1.33mi
511 Prospect Ave Unit 7 Bethlehem, PA	2.0	2.0	800	$1,995	$2.49	3d	1	1.34mi
2443 Black River Rd Bethlehem, PA	2.0	2.0	750	$1,659	$2.21	3d	1	1.39mi
938 E 4th St Unit 102 Bethlehem, PA	2.0	1.0	813	$1,970	$2.42	44d	1	1.49mi
938 E 4th St #401 Bethlehem, PA	2.0	1.0	928	$2,150	$2.32	44d	1	1.49mi
938 E 4th St Unit 201 Bethlehem, PA	2.0	1.0	982	$2,350	$2.39	44d	1	1.49mi
938 E 4th St Unit G02 Bethlehem, PA	2.0	1.0	813	$1,970	$2.42	15d	1	1.49mi
42 E Wall St Bethlehem, PA	4.0	1.0	1474	$2,550	$1.73	24d	1	1.49mi

Listing history 29 events

1. 2026-05-17
   status Pending 637-char remark

   Show marketing remark (637 chars)

   Opportunity to restore and reimagine this early 1900s Colonial in Lower Saucon Township. This detached home offers over 1,000 square feet above grade with public water and sewer. The property requires repairs, updating, and reconfiguration and is being sold as-is. Buyers should anticipate improvement work throughout. Located along Route 378 with convenient access to commuter routes. Due to the setting, access and parking may be limited. Surrounded by natural scenery, the property offers privacy and long-term potential for the right buyer. This home is best suited for those seeking opportunity in the Saucon Valley School District.

2. 2026-05-08
   price $135,000 637-char remark

   Show marketing remark (637 chars)

   Opportunity to restore and reimagine this early 1900s Colonial in Lower Saucon Township. This detached home offers over 1,000 square feet above grade with public water and sewer. The property requires repairs, updating, and reconfiguration and is being sold as-is. Buyers should anticipate improvement work throughout. Located along Route 378 with convenient access to commuter routes. Due to the setting, access and parking may be limited. Surrounded by natural scenery, the property offers privacy and long-term potential for the right buyer. This home is best suited for those seeking opportunity in the Saucon Valley School District.

3. 2026-04-10
   status Active 637-char remark

   Show marketing remark (637 chars)

   Opportunity to restore and reimagine this early 1900s Colonial in Lower Saucon Township. This detached home offers over 1,000 square feet above grade with public water and sewer. The property requires repairs, updating, and reconfiguration and is being sold as-is. Buyers should anticipate improvement work throughout. Located along Route 378 with convenient access to commuter routes. Due to the setting, access and parking may be limited. Surrounded by natural scenery, the property offers privacy and long-term potential for the right buyer. This home is best suited for those seeking opportunity in the Saucon Valley School District.

4. 2026-03-13
   status Pending 637-char remark

   Show marketing remark (637 chars)

   Opportunity to restore and reimagine this early 1900s Colonial in Lower Saucon Township. This detached home offers over 1,000 square feet above grade with public water and sewer. The property requires repairs, updating, and reconfiguration and is being sold as-is. Buyers should anticipate improvement work throughout. Located along Route 378 with convenient access to commuter routes. Due to the setting, access and parking may be limited. Surrounded by natural scenery, the property offers privacy and long-term potential for the right buyer. This home is best suited for those seeking opportunity in the Saucon Valley School District.

5. 2026-02-24
   listed $150,000 Active 637-char remark

   Show marketing remark (637 chars)

   Opportunity to restore and reimagine this early 1900s Colonial in Lower Saucon Township. This detached home offers over 1,000 square feet above grade with public water and sewer. The property requires repairs, updating, and reconfiguration and is being sold as-is. Buyers should anticipate improvement work throughout. Located along Route 378 with convenient access to commuter routes. Due to the setting, access and parking may be limited. Surrounded by natural scenery, the property offers privacy and long-term potential for the right buyer. This home is best suited for those seeking opportunity in the Saucon Valley School District.

6. 2025-06-14
   historical
7. 2025-05-17
   status Active
8. 2025-03-10
   listed Contingent (Show)
9. 2025-03-10
   historical Contingent (Show)
10. 2025-03-10
    historical
11. 2025-03-03
    price $219,900
12. 2025-02-13
    listed $225,000 Active
13. 2025-02-01
    historical
14. 2025-01-27
    price $225,000
15. 2025-01-17
    listed $219,900
16. 2024-12-17
    price $229,900
17. 2024-11-10
    price $239,900
18. 2024-10-09
    listed $249,900 Active
19. 2024-10-02
    historical $2,250
20. 2024-09-30
    listed $2,250
21. 2021-10-14
    soldstatus $190,000
22. 2021-10-08
    soldstatus $190,000 Sold
23. 2021-10-08
    soldstatus $190,000 Closed
24. 2021-09-09
    status Pending
25. 2021-09-09
    status Pending
26. 2021-09-01
    listed $175,000 Active
27. 2021-09-01
    listed $175,000 Active
28. 2002-12-27
    soldstatus $20,000
29. 2002-10-25
    listed $29,900

ⓘ Source: listings_history table (triggers on properties + properties_extension) + one-shot backfill from property_details.listing_events for pre-trigger history.

Tax reassessment forecast PA · Partial reset (capped growth)

• Current annual tax: $2,246 · $187/mo
• Projected year-2 tax: $2,246 · $187/mo
• Expected delta: $0/yr ($0/mo · 0.0%)

ⓘ Screening estimate from a state-policy table — verify with the county assessor before closing.

Climate risk First Street

• 🌊 Flood 1/10 Low FEMA zone X (unshaded) · 0% chance over 30 yrs
• 🔥 Wildfire 5/10 Major
• 🌡 Heat 4/10 Moderate 6 d/yr ≥100°F today · 13 d/yr by 30 yrs out
• 💨 Wind 4/10 Moderate 17% chance of damaging wind over 30 yrs
• 🫁 Air quality 4/10 Moderate 3 unhealthy d/yr today · 6 by 30 yrs out

Taxation est. · year 1

• Rental income: $23,218
• − Mortgage interest: −$7,562
• − Property taxes: −$2,246
• − Insurance: −$675
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$1,857
• − Management: −$1,857
• − Depreciation: −$3,927
• Taxable income: $5,093
• Est. tax owed @ 24.0%: −$1,222
• After-tax cash flow: $5,704/yr

For passive investors: Depreciation is non-cash, so a rental often shows a tax loss while cash-flowing — sheltering income. Rental losses are passive: they offset passive income freely, and up to $25,000/yr can offset ordinary (W-2) income if you actively participate and your MAGI is under $100k (phasing out to $0 by $150k); unused losses carry forward. On sale, claimed depreciation is recaptured at up to 25%, and gains may owe capital-gains tax (a 1031 exchange can defer both). Figures are a year-1 estimate at your 24.0% rate — not tax advice; consult a CPA.

Schools (NCES district)

• District: Saucon Valley SD
• NCES district ID: 4211730
• Math proficiency: 57% ▬ 0.00%
• Reading proficiency: 66% ▼ -9.00%
• Median HH income: $67,374
• Composite: 53.95/100
• National rank: #1401
• State rank: #58 of 539 in PA

Livability — Bethlehem

• Score: 82/100
• State rank: #138
• US rank: #1122

Category grades

Amenities A+ Commute F Cost of living A+ Crime B+ Employment C Housing A+ Health & safety A+ User ratings C+

Schools grade is shown separately in the Schools card above.

Census & demographics

• County: Northampton County · 236,814 people
• City population: 129,661
• Metro: Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ
• Population (ZIP): 34,852
• Household income: $60,800
• Rent vs Own: 49.5% rent · 50.5% own
• Severe rent burden: 1525.0

Population outlook (Northampton County) Hauer SSP2

• Today (2025): 312,227 people
• By 2030: 314,769 · +0.8%
• By 2040: 316,914 · +1.5%
• By 2050: 318,037 · +1.9%
• By 2075: 334,003 · +7.0%
• By 2100: 344,696 · +10.4%

Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023

• Neighborhood character: Diverse neighborhood (Simpson 0.62)
• Race & ethnicity: White 53% Hispanic / Latino 29% Two or more races 14% Black 10% Asian 5%
• Hispanic origin (detail): Mexican 2% Puerto Rican 19% Dominican 3%
• Common ancestry: Romanian 4% Danish 1% Iranian 1%
• Foreign-born: 12% · Canada, China, Jamaica
• Languages at home: 73% English-only · Spanish 21% Chinese 2% Other Indo-European 2%

Political lean MEDSL · Northampton

• 2024 margin: Toss-up / Even · D 48.6% · R 50.4%
• 2008→2024 swing: -14.1pp toward R · 2008: 12.3pp · 2024: -1.8pp
• All cycles: 2024: R+1.8 2020: D+0.7 2016: R+3.8 2012: D+4.6 2008: D+12.3

Not yet ingested

• Civics: —

Market trends

• HPI YoY: ▼ -122.95%
• Current HPI: 277.4721
• Rent YoY: ▲ 7.18%
• Metro: Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ
• State GDP YoY: ▲ 1.68%
• F500 in state: 34

Industry mix (Fortune 500 HQ in PA)

Industry	F500 HQs	Revenue
▸Healthcare	2	$309B
▸Insurance	2	$27B
▸Telecommunications / Media	1	$124B
▸Industrial Distribution	1	$22B
▸Financial Services	1	$20B
▸Chemicals / Materials	1	$18B

Price history

+351.5% since first listed

29 events — show timeline

• 2026-05-17 Pending — GLVRMLS
• 2026-05-08 Price Changed $135,000 GLVRMLS
• 2026-04-10 Relisted — GLVRMLS
• 2026-03-13 Pending — GLVRMLS
• 2026-02-24 Listed $150,000 GLVRMLS
• 2025-06-14 Listing Removed — GLVRMLS
• 2025-05-17 Relisted — GLVRMLS
• 2025-03-10 Listed — GLVRMLS
• 2025-03-10 Contingent — GLVRMLS
• 2025-03-10 Listing Removed — GLVRMLS
• 2025-03-03 Price Changed $219,900 GLVRMLS
• 2025-02-13 Listed $225,000 GLVRMLS
• 2025-02-01 Listing Removed — GLVRMLS
• 2025-01-27 Price Changed $225,000 GLVRMLS
• 2025-01-17 Listed $219,900 GLVRMLS
• 2024-12-17 Price Changed $229,900 GLVRMLS
• 2024-11-10 Price Changed $239,900 GLVRMLS
• 2024-10-09 Listed $249,900 GLVRMLS
• 2024-10-02 Rental Removed $2,250 TURBOTENANT
• 2024-09-30 Listed for Rent $2,250 TURBOTENANT
• 2021-10-14 Sold (Public Records) $190,000 Public Records
• 2021-10-08 Sold (MLS) $190,000 BRIGHT MLS
• 2021-10-08 Sold (MLS) $190,000 GLVRMLS
• 2021-09-09 Pending — BRIGHT MLS
• 2021-09-09 Pending — GLVRMLS
• 2021-09-01 Listed $175,000 BRIGHT MLS
• 2021-09-01 Listed $175,000 GLVRMLS
• 2002-12-27 Sold (MLS) $20,000 GLVRMLS
• 2002-10-25 Listed $29,900 GLVRMLS

Property tax history

+0.4%/yr

Latest (2026): $2,246 · +0.8% YoY. Source: county tax records.