Often the most affordable way to own here — but HOA fees, financing rules and community documents matter. Here's what to check before you sign.
Lehigh Valley townhomes and condos are often the most affordable way to own a home in the area, with townhouses in Lehigh County listing around a median of $280,000 compared with a regional median sale price of $379,000. They also trade yard work and exterior upkeep for a monthly HOA fee, which can range from under $100 to several hundred dollars.
Before you buy, review the HOA's budget, reserves and rules in the resale certificate and check that your loan type works with the community. Pennsylvania gives buyers five days to cancel after receiving that certificate.
You'll find townhome communities all over the region, from newer neighborhoods in Center Valley to downtown condos in Bethlehem. Those community guides are a good starting point for comparing locations.
~$280K
Median list price, Lehigh County townhouses
~$379K
Regional median sale price, all home types
+5.4%
Townhome & condo price growth, 2025
Sources: Redfin, Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS (GLVR).
People use these words loosely, but the legal difference matters, especially for financing and insurance.
You usually own the unit and the land under it, often including a small yard. An HOA may handle the lawn, snow and common areas. Most Lehigh Valley townhomes in newer communities work this way.
You own the interior of your unit plus a shared interest in the building and grounds. The association typically insures and maintains the exterior, the roof and common areas.
A local favorite. It's one half of a two unit building, usually with no HOA at all. Twins are common in Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton.
Here's the catch. A building that looks like a townhome can legally be a condo, and that changes how lenders treat it. Your agent can confirm the ownership type from the listing and the community documents.
Townhomes and condos are the entry point for a lot of Lehigh Valley buyers. Redfin shows townhouses in Lehigh County listing at a median of around $280,000, compared with the regional median sale price of $379,000 that Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS reported for August. That townhouse figure includes older city row homes, so newer townhomes in suburban HOA communities often run higher.
Prices have been climbing for this segment too. GLVR reported townhouse and condo prices rose 5.4% in 2025, slightly faster than single family homes.
$280K Townhome · 10% Down
~$1,745/mo
Principal and interest before taxes, insurance and HOA fees.
The Savings
~$600/mo less
Roughly the difference versus the same payment on a median priced single family home.
With mortgage rates around 7.40% in early October, every dollar of price matters. For a full picture of what different budgets buy, our guide to what $400K buys in the Lehigh Valley walks through real examples.
HOA fees vary a lot from one community to the next. Some newer townhome neighborhoods charge under $100 a month, while full service condo associations can run several hundred. The number on its own doesn't tell you much. What matters is what you get for it.
Depending on the community, fees can cover:
Lawn care and snow removal, including sidewalks and sometimes driveways.
Curbside collection handled by the association, often with bulk pickup.
Roofs, siding and painting in many condos.
Coverage for the building structure in condos.
A pool, clubhouse, fitness room or walking paths.
Money set aside for big future repairs.
A higher fee that covers your roof and exterior insurance can actually be a better deal than a low fee that leaves those costs to you. Compare the full monthly cost, not just the dues.
Most townhomes finance just like single family homes. Condos can be trickier.
FHA generally requires the condo project to be FHA approved or to qualify for a single unit approval. VA loans have their own approval list.
How many units are owner occupied, whether any one investor owns a large share, and how healthy the reserves are.
A condo that doesn't meet those guidelines may need a portfolio or specialty loan, often at a higher rate.
Pennsylvania gives condo and planned community buyers an important protection. The seller must provide a resale certificate from the association, which includes the current fees, any planned special assessments, the budget, reserves and pending lawsuits.
Under state law, you can cancel the agreement within five days of receiving it. Read it carefully and ask your agent to flag anything unusual.
Attached homes show up all over the region, but a few areas stand out:
Newer townhome communities close to the Promenade Shops and Route 309, in the Southern Lehigh School District.
Plenty of newer townhomes, including new construction, in the Parkland and East Penn districts.
Established communities with easy access to Route 22.
Condos and converted lofts within walking distance of restaurants and events.
The most affordable options, especially twins and row homes with no HOA.
Attached living can be a smart way to get into a great neighborhood at a lower price, as long as you understand the HOA and the financing before you sign. The Chris Troxell Team reviews community documents with you, points out anything concerning in the resale certificate and helps you compare communities side by side.
Start with our buyer resources and our Center Valley and Bethlehem community guides. When you're ready to tour, we'll take it from there.