When it comes to the history of commerce in our country, the Moravians in Bethlehem play a prominent role. Opened in 1745, the Moravian Book Shop on Bethlehem’s Main Street is the oldest book retailer in America. Bethlehem’s Main Street is steeped in Moravian history, and Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites, also known as HBMS, is committed to preserving the buildings and sharing the stories that have shaped our country. The current Visitor Center and Goundie House are undergoing significant renovation to enhance the authenticity of the local and out-of-town visitor experience. Schropp ..read more

As the premier source of real estate information in the Lehigh Valley and its surrounding communities, the Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS® (GLVR) is pleased to provide an in-depth report on the 2023 local housing market. The following information is an overall look at the 2023 housing market, in addition to predictions for 2024. 2023: A Tale of Sluggish Sales Due to Mortgage Rate Stalemate 2023 was a challenging year for the U.S. housing market: mortgage rates hit a 2-decade high, housing inventory remained at historic lows, and sales prices continued to climb nationwide, putting homeownership ..read more

Starting a new job often generates feelings of excitement coupled with anxiety. Add to that starting a new job in a new location, and it is easy to imagine why employees who relocate may have a challenging time acclimating to their new community and workplace. Employers use a variety of services to ease the transition for their relocating hires and families. These services help employees navigate the most challenging aspects of a move, such as finding housing, schools, and childcare, so employees can focus on bringing their best selves to work. Yet, feeling a sense of community outside work is ..read more

For decades, immigration law has been a political toy that leaders use as a continuing campaign issue. These leaders will tell voters (before election day) that they will be champions in solving what is commonly referred to today as the immigration “problem.”  One side of the aisle promises a level of amnesty, while the other side advocates for a limited immigration system. Some want to build a wall. Others want a wide-open border without restrictions on entry. There are those who want to deport every undocumented person in the United States, while others call for an extensive amnesty pro ..read more

Regardless of its advantages and concerns, AI is here to stay, especially in the business world. While many companies have found great benefits from the implementation of AI in their business operations, the risks of doing so cannot go unnoticed. Businesses should consider prevention and mitigation practices to avoid troubles with AI usage. What is Artificial Intelligence? AI is the simulation of human intelligence by machines, most often computer systems. There is also a branch of AI known as Machine Learning, which focuses on the use of data and algorithms to imitate the way humans lear ..read more

Statistically, U.S. birth and marriage rates are declining, while pet adoptions are on the rise. Pet lovers, especially millennials, are known to treat and view their “fur babies” as children, developing deep, loving bonds. It’s devastating to think about a pet becoming ill and needing care, but what about an owner becoming ill, incapacitated, or dying – in the absence of surviving immediate family, who will care for your pet? Use common estate planning documents to find peace of mind regarding your pet’s care and ongoing well-being. Pet Trusts Five years ago, fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld passe ..read more

As we grow up, our lives are filled with an infinitesimal number of experiences that can range from those that are too easily forgotten all the way to experiences that shape the people we are today. This should come as no surprise, considering the immense development the human brain goes through from birth through age 21. What is often forgotten is that these experiences not only provide us with information about that specific subject or situation, but they also help us to understand the world we live in and how we fit into that world. When viewed from this perspective, even the most minor and ..read more

5 ways strength training helps you grow muscle to slow aging. When you imagine a 50-something-year-old, what comes to mind? You may envision a strong and energetic person; however, most folks over the age of 50 are getting weaker because of sarcopenia, aka muscle loss. Simple tasks, like opening a jar of pickles, feel like an Olympic event. Worse yet, this gradual decline in muscle slows your metabolism and makes it harder to lose unwanted fat. Fortunately, you can lift weights to manage the effects of sarcopenia. According to a 2021 meta-study in the European Review of Aging and Physical Acti ..read more

How much a business owner keeps from the sale of their company is a key question, and taxes are the primary factor. Below is a high-level overview of the major tax considerations applicable to most business sales. What type of corporate entity matters S corporation or other pass-thru structure such as an LLC. The main difference is that the C corporation pays income tax at the corporate level, while the S corporation pays the income tax by the individual shareholders. What type of sale matters Stock or asset sale? Stock sales – the buyer purchases the shares of the company and thus owns th ..read more

The Valley Wealth Alliance is a nonprofit organization that promotes financial literacy programs in the Lehigh Valley. The organization also promotes wealth through entrepreneurism and business ownership. One of our community service initiatives is to have conversations with business leaders to discuss trends, strategies, and ideas to help other entrepreneurs grow their businesses. Today’s conversation is with Matt Stocker. He is the fitness trainer to some of the most influential business leaders in Lehigh Valley. We want to know if fitness is key to building a successful business. What are t ..read more