neighborhood in Lower Macungie (Columbia: for sale, real estate, skateboarding)

[jerseygirl63]

Does anyone know anything about the development the Hills at Lockridge in LOwer Macungie. The builder is offering specials, but when we looked, you really dont seem to have a whole lot of property. The yards seem very small. We also looked in Upper Macungie, and the homes we saw there all seemed to have alot more property for lower taxes. Can anyone help with this information. Thank you.

[toobusytoday]

jerseygirl, When we were house shopping we found that sometimes you had to choose whether you wanted a big house and small lot, big lot and smaller house, older house with bigger secondary bedrooms but smaller master bedroom, etc. etc. I know this house choosing stuff is overwhelming (we're on our 4th home and have moved almost a dozen times) but in the end you have to go with your gut and your pocketbook.

Unless you have the exact same criteria and the same deals offered to you as another person, you are going to have to make your choice based on what's right for you and your family. Personally, I would rather have more land, but that's just me.

[jeffvivian]

Hello Jersey Girl
Then hills at lockridge is nice but they are not what I would call "large lots".
I will probably be scolded by my real estate community for posting this but I am going to give you the inside scoop on buying a new home.

1) determine what you are looking for: Sq foot of home, lot size, location etc before you start making final decisions.

2) Determine where you would make the sacrifice:
If a home was on a large beautiful lot but the square footage of the home was less then what you wanted, would you still be happy with the home or visa versa.

3) Stretch your price range in this market. If you are looking at $400,000 house stretch to see what is available at $425 - $430 because you may be able to find everything you want at that price then negoitate them down.
***Important*** look to strecth only if you are comfortable with the $400K mortgage payment, if your not comfortable don't stretch*****

These 3 things normally allow for happy and successful house hunting.

Any questions you can direct message me, I would be glad to provide more help.

[jeffvivian]

The tax issue I would be leary of because its kind of a moving target in Upper & Lower Macungie when you are trying to do a comparision. In general I would agree but I would be very careful when it comes to taxes because they vary so its very hard to get a read on them.

[KristyLiz]

We looked at the Hills at Lockridge, but thought the lots were way too small. Also, I didn't like that it backed up to the Mac Truck lot.

Have you looked into Lehigh Crossings by Toll Brothers? Lehigh Crossing - New Homes in Macungie, PA by Toll Brothers The Columbia floorplan is my favorite!

We considered this development, but the timing was bad - we wanted to be in sooner.

How about Coldwater Crossings or Graymoor by Pulte Find New Home - Find Homes for Sale - Find Dream Home (broken link)

Way better sized lots.

good luck!!

[SirenSong71]

I live in the 'Reserves at Annandale' but it is referred to as the Hills at Lock Ridge. You can't even see the Mack factory from our dev. It's all the way down the road by rt 100. I don't know why this poster thinks it butts up against the Mack factory but that is an incorrect statement.

Be careful with Pulte homes, they tend to need a lot of repairs afterwards and there's never anyone there to assist you. Toll Brothers is great if you'd like to pay through the nose for everything. My Aunt bought a home in 'Four Season's' and she's had nothing but problems since day one and so have her friends in the same dev. Their customer service stinks after purchase.

[KristyLiz]

Originally Posted by SirenSong71

I live in the 'Reserves at Annandale' but it is referred to as the Hills at Lock Ridge. You can't even see the Mack factory from our dev. It's all the way down the road by rt 100. I don't know why this poster thinks it butts up against the Mack factory but that is an incorrect statement.

Be careful with Pulte homes, they tend to need a lot of repairs afterwards and there's never anyone there to assist you.

I think this because when we went to see the model/development, we drove right through the Mack truck place. I told my husband that if we liked it there, we'd have to find another way to re-route visitors since I wouldn't like that to be the first impression of where we live.

As for Pulte, we are in a Pulte home and love it!! No major problems so far. This is our third new construction and by far, this was the best building experience. There customer service has been very responsive.

[SirenSong71]

Originally Posted by KristyLiz

As for Pulte, we are in a Pulte home and love it!! No major problems so far. This is our third new construction and by far, this was the best building experience. There customer service has been very responsive.

That is great! I have friends who had a bad experience with Pulte and my brother out in Arizona had a horrible experience with them. I guess it's all really relative to the individual person. I do think that Pulte puts a lot more thought into the 'curb appeal' of a house, though. I've seen their townhomes and they are quite lovely from the outside. We have a THP home and we've been pretty happy with it and our exprience with them.

[KristyLiz]

Originally Posted by SirenSong71

We have a THP home and we've been pretty happy with it and our exprience with them.

Our last house was built by THP, although we bought it when it was 3 years old - no complaints!

[EmmausRocks]

Here's a recent article on the Lehigh Valley housing market. Below is the 1st couple paragraphs. Click on the link for the rest of the article.


At first glance, The Hills at Lockridge development in Lower Macungie Township seems a snapshot of the American Dream.

Handsome homes stand shoulder to shoulder. Skateboarding tweens clickety-clack along the sidewalk. Parents greet children exiting big yellow school buses. In the backdrop are rows of corn, green hilltops and blue sky.

But anxiety lurks behind the panel doors with polished brass knobs.

''For sale'' signs are prominent

Lehigh Valley Housing Market: bottoming out? -- themorningcall.com

Forget curb appeal. Grass is knee-high in front of some vacant houses lingering on the market, including one with a sheriff's sale notice taped to a window.

Worst of all, many of the residents bought the homes new and paid premium prices in 2005 and 2006 when real estate was peaking. They wonder if their homes are worth what they paid as prices slip.

''You wake up one morning and think 'Oh Lord, look at this mess,''' said Anthonis Lewis, who moved to the neighborhood in 2005. ''What did I get myself into?''