Best and Worst Allentown/Easton/Bethlehem areas to invest

[Ryan Muska]

Looking into the Allentown market and have been doing my own research. Wondering what you folks have to say about the best and worst places to invest in Allentown.

[David Ribardo]

Hey Ryan! Overall Allentown has a little bit of everything, and best / worst places are inherently tied to your goals. Are you a cash flow investor? Great, you might like center city row homes that cash flow like crazy. Are you looking for something to self manage? The west end comes with a higher price point, but overall nicer experience that might be a better fit.

Some general rules of thumb - stay away from Alleyway properties, they are hard to place good tenants into. Proximity to the downtown is nice, but hasn't really increased property values. I wouldn't imagine the waterfront project to impact things any differently as it is completed. Look for places with off-street parking, or even better, a garage that can generate additional income. 

Other than Allentown specifically, take a look at the surrounding areas. Bethlehem, Easton, and some of the surrounding townships have equally good deals. The nuances of each township vary, but overall all of them have enjoyed strong rental demand, good deal flow, and above average appreciation.