Recent property records from Berks County, Pennsylvania, show a range of real estate transactions, including a multi-million dollar commercial sale in Kutztown and several high-value residential transfers across various townships. The data, filed with the Berks County recorder of deeds office, provides a snapshot of the local property market, reflecting both private sales and public acquisitions.
Among the notable transactions is a commercial property on West Main Street in Kutztown that sold for $3.8 million. Residential sales also saw significant activity, with homes in Albany Township, Amity Township, and Robeson Township trading for prices between $440,000 and $600,000. Additionally, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation acquired multiple properties for a nominal fee, indicating infrastructure or right-of-way projects.
Key Takeaways
- A commercial property at 270 W. Main St. in Kutztown sold for $3,800,000, marking the highest value transaction in this period.
- Residential sales showed strong market activity, with a property on Kempton Road in Albany Township selling for $600,000.
- The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Transportation was involved in numerous transactions, acquiring land and properties for $1 each, likely for public works.
- Many transactions were recorded for a nominal value of $1 or $10, often indicating transfers to trusts, between family members, or to corporate holding entities.
High-Value Commercial and Residential Sales
The Berks County real estate market saw several significant transactions, led by a major commercial sale in the borough of Kutztown. This activity highlights ongoing investment in both commercial and residential sectors across the county.
Kutztown Commercial Property Leads Sales
The most substantial transaction recorded was the sale of 270 W. Main St. in Kutztown. The property, previously owned by Keystone Plaza Inc., was acquired by Bad Real Estate Group LLC for $3,800,000. This sale represents a significant commercial investment in the area.
In another commercial deal, a property at 60 Shillington Road in Sinking Spring was sold by Lt6 Investments LLC to Remodeling Authority LLC for $525,000. In Birdsboro, Meyers Noss Group LLC sold the property at 205 N. Furnace St. to Stead Properties LLC for $340,000.
Top Residential Sales
Several residential properties commanded high prices, indicating a robust housing market in certain areas of Berks County.
- $678,900: 151 Portia Blvd., Kutztown (Grande Land LP to Thomas F. Hoermann and Maryann Hoermann)
- $660,000: 9 Sovereign Drive, Union Township (Leanne C. Lorenzo And Dominic A Lorenzo Jr. Trust to Dominic Marascio Jr. and Shannon Marascio)
- $600,000: 39 Kempton Road, Albany Township (Barbara M. Grant and Geoffrey L. Grant to Benjamin Pelham Schrock and Shilah Rose Schrock)
- $585,000: 1024 Hilltop Road, Bern Township (Christine A. Staub to David Allen Wurst and Susan Lee Wurst)
- $553,450: 217 Sieger Road, Richmond Township (Kermit E. Oswald and Lisa A. Oswald to Kris Morgan)
Strong Residential Market Activity
Beyond the top sales, a consistent pattern of high-value home sales was evident across the county. In Robeson Township, a home at 8 Willow St. was sold by Joseph Bronstein and Erika Bronstein to Jay R. Jackson and Bonnie L. Frisco for $515,000.
Exeter Township also saw multiple sales over $400,000. A property at 1220 Limekiln Road sold for $527,000, and another at 17 Ladderback Lane in the same township sold for $490,000. In Amity Township, a home at 101 Berkshire Drive sold for $440,000.
These transactions demonstrate continued demand for single-family homes in suburban and rural parts of Berks County, with prices reflecting a competitive market environment.
Government Acquisitions and Nominal Transfers
A significant portion of the deeds recorded involved the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Transportation (PennDOT). These transfers, typically for a nominal fee of $1, suggest land acquisition for infrastructure projects.
PennDOT Activity in Multiple Townships
PennDOT was listed as the grantee in numerous transactions across Maidencreek, Richmond, Bethel, and Hamburg townships. Property owners on major thoroughfares like Allentown Pike and Kutztown Road transferred parcels of land to the state.
For example, multiple properties along Allentown Pike in Maidencreek Township were transferred to PennDOT. Similarly, several properties on Kutztown Road in Richmond Township were also acquired by the state. These acquisitions often precede road widening, intersection improvements, or other public works projects.
Understanding Nominal Value Transactions
Property transfers recorded for $1, $10, or other small amounts often do not represent a traditional market sale. These transactions typically occur for specific legal or financial reasons, such as:
- Estate Planning: Transferring property into a living trust or to an heir.
- Intra-Family Transfers: Moving a property title between spouses, parents, and children.
- Corporate Restructuring: Shifting assets between an individual and their holding company.
- Government Acquisition: The state acquiring land for public use through eminent domain or negotiated agreement, where the nominal fee is a legal formality.
Intra-Family and Trust-Related Transfers
The public records also include many transfers with no monetary exchange or for a nominal sum, indicating internal asset management rather than market sales. For instance, in Oley Township, Arnold A. Himmelreich and Karen A. Himmelreich transferred a property on Bertolet Mill Road to family members while retaining a life estate, a common estate planning tool.
Similarly, in Wyomissing, properties were transferred into trusts or between family members. Kurt Berghofer transferred multiple properties in Cumru Township and Wyomissing to Kbdrb Real Property Holding Inc. for $10 each, likely as part of a corporate asset consolidation strategy.
A Closer Look at Municipal Real Estate Changes
Examining transactions within specific municipalities reveals localized trends, from urban property exchanges in Reading to suburban home sales in townships like Spring and Exeter.
City of Reading Transactions
The City of Reading saw a mix of residential and commercial property sales. A notable transaction involved Kensington Developers LLC selling a property at 113 S. 8th St. for $310,000 to Tierre L. Jackson. Residential sales in the city ranged from $100,000 to over $300,000.
For example, a home at 1942 Palm St. sold for $329,500, while another at 434 Arlington St. sold for $210,000. These prices reflect the diverse housing stock available within the city limits.
Suburban and Township Sales Activity
Suburban townships remained popular for homebuyers. In Spring Township, a home at 1134 Old Fritztown Road was sold for $315,000, and another at 1947 Gring Drive went for $280,000. In Douglass Township, a property at 102 Glendale Road sold for $489,000.
All deeds are recorded in the Berks County recorder of deeds office and are a matter of public information. There is a delay between when the deeds are filed and their publication. For questions, the recorder's office can be contacted at 610-478-3380.
The data reflects a dynamic real estate market across Berks County, with activity spanning high-value commercial deals, strong suburban residential sales, and strategic government land acquisitions. These transactions collectively shape the economic and physical landscape of the region.
