Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Relocation Specialist (Unofficially!) (Philadelphia, Back Mountain: wood floors, 2010, houses)

[ScranBarre]

Hey there Cho! Well, I'm sorry I didn't respond to your inquiry sooner, but I just stumbled upon it while reviewing my history of new threads. I'm guessing you may have posted this reply at a time when I was out of internet service for a day or two and had the topic fall back to the second page (where I don't usually look). I'm very happy that you're interested in some "in-town" flipping in our area; that's actually a trend that hasn't quite caught on yet around here. I work at Lowe's, and just the other day I helped a couple from NJ out with a bunch of purchases; they were rehabbing a run-down 4-unit investment property with plans to rent out the units for rental income. They were a little rude to me and the cashier who rung them up because we weren't moving quickly enough, but I still let that slide because, in my mind, I was helping in a very small way to get another run-down "in-town" property restored.

Where exactly do you want to flip? In Wilkes-Barre itself or one of its smaller, established suburban communties in the West Side or Greater Pittston? One area that would be a true "hot-spot" for flipping would be West Pittston, also known as "The Garden Village." Occasionally, a Victorian charmer in need of TLC will hit the market, and when it does, it often flies! The town literally "sells itself" with its tree-lined streets, river views, and walkable atmosphere. While most of the homes currently on-the-market in West Pittston are in excellent condition and wouldn't be suitable for "flipping", keep your eyes peeled for any "new listings" that may pop up from time to time. Here are a few potential "flippers" for you to consider in desirable small-town areas in and around Wilkes-Barre.


1 Park Street, Exeter. $55,000. 6 Rooms, 3 BR, 1 BA. 1,206 Square Feet, 50' x 75' Lot. This home is located in the Wyoming Area School District, which is a highly-sought after district in Luzerne County. Currently, the home is being rented out to a tenant for $500/month + utilities, but you could very easily purchase this home, invest in new vinyl siding, new landscaping, an updated kitchen, updated bathroom, replacing old carperting with hardwood flooring, etc. and have this home ready for resale at a nice premium price of $145,000 or so once renovations are complete. If you do much of the work yourself, then you should be able to reap a nice profit from this one.


3 Park Street, Exeter. $77,500. 4 Rooms, 2 BR, 1 BA. 816 Square Feet,
75' x 101' Lot. Located next-door to the previous home, this rancher is a bit on the small side but has endless potential. The room sizes are all generous, and a savvy, experienced investor could easily expand this home to add an additional bedroom and bathroom while still snagging a hefty profit. Just add some landscaping, some fresh paint, and an addition of a bedroom and a bathroom, and you could probably sell this house for around $149,900, thanks to the reasonably-sized lot.


139 Tobin Lane, Edwardsville. $34,900. 4 Rooms, 1 BR, 1 BA. 672 Square Feet, 25' x 71' Lot. This home needs interior cosmetic updating, such as work on the kitchen and bathroom. Unlike the last home, expansion would not be easy, given the narrow 25' lot size; this home is going to remain designed for a young single person or a retired couple as a result, so you might want to furnish and decorate accordingly. As a plus, the neighborhood is very convenient to a rebounding shopping area, where a new Lowe's Home Improvement store will be opening in three weeks and is expected to have a snowball effect on helping to breathe new life into the largely-vacant Gateway Shopping Center, West Side Mall, and Narrows Shopping Center alogn Wyoming Avenue in the town. A growing nearby retail climate may make this home desirable to an older couple who doesn't want to drive much for conveniences; I might even be audacious enough to outfit the home to be "handicapped-accesible" with a chairlift on the staircase and a ramp up to the front door, among other improvements, to uniquely target senior citizens. I can't guarantee rehabbing this house would bring substantial profit margins though; you really can't charge too much for a home with less than 700square feet and one bedroom.

[ScranBarre]

233 Carlisle Street, Wilkes-Barre. $44,900. 6 Rooms, 2 BR, 2 BA. 900 Square Feet, 45' x 30' Lot. Generally, this home just needs some "creativity" to turn it into a true showplace. The gray asbestos exterior leaves much to be desired; perhaps a new, unique stone or stucco facade would help this home to "stand out in the crowd?" (Many of the older homes in Wilkes-Barre are being rehabbed with vinyl siding, so it would be neat to see someone use a different exterior material for a change of pace). The garage is a plus in a city where off-street parking is at a premium; this would be sure to attract some positive interest. The lot size is small, and the square footage wouldn't make this home ideal for families. I'd target this home towards young singles just starting out. If you outfit the interior of the home with stainless-steel appliance, granite countertops, a jacuzzi tub, and other (must-haves) for today's discerning young home-buyers, then perhaps you can even overshadow the home's small size to a borderline buyer? I could easily see this home selling for around $90,000 if given more "curb appeal" and a bit more "21st Century updating." Perhaps after spending $25,000 on updating, you'll still be able to reap a profit of at least $20,000 from this property. Wilkes-Barre is finally starting to bounce back; by the time this property is ready for resale a "city address" may also become a major selling point.

Well, these are just a few examples of what can be found in the valley. Feel free to contact me for more information!

[crackhead1620]

my husband and i are relocating to this neighborhood next month, any information on the immediate area would be greatly appreciated. crime, walking trails, schools, etc thank you so much

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by crackhead1620

my husband and i are relocating to this neighborhood next month, any information on the immediate area would be greatly appreciated. crime, walking trails, schools, etc thank you so much

Good morning! Well, Miners Mills is located at the nothernmost end of Wilkes-Barre, near its border with the inner suburb of Plains Township. Miners Mills, along with Parsons, are the two neighborhoods that comprise what is known as "North Wilkes-Barre," and both neighborhoods are very safe, stable, and liveable. As far as the housing stock goes, the neighborhoods are mostly comprised of narrow streets with white two-story, three-bedroom, one-bath aluminum-sided homes; there's just not a lot of exterior "variety" here as there are in many other older neighborhooods in the city. Parsons used to be an independent town before merging with Wilkes-Barre sometime back in the early-1900s, so there are a few vestiges of an old "Main Street" type of an area along George Avenue, which is now home to just a few struggling mom-and-pop stores and the new Shiel's Shur-Save Supermarket. Miners Mills is home to the brand-new "Pine Ridge" housing subdivision, the first major residential project in the Diamond City in quite a number of years, and most homes here are the typical vinyl-sided, two-story, cookie-cutter ones you'll find in most American suburbs and generally range around $250,000.

Overall Miners Mills, Parsons, and "North Wilkes-Barre" in general are liveable areas. To me, they're just "unattractive," but I'm the type who drools over tree-lined streets and Victorian homes. I think a few new exterior paint colors to "liven up" the neighborhood and give it a bit of identity, as well as a few more trees in the area would definitely make it more attractive. The neighborhoods just look "drab", and finding enough street parking can be a hassle, but if you're not concerned about "prettiness" or "where to stick your car", then this could still be a great fit for you. Crime-wise, the entire city of Wilkes-Barre has a major drug abuse problem, and occasionally you hear about a stabbing, shooting, or convenience store robbery on the news. However, it's generally "lowlifes vs. other lowlifes," so the general population doesn't live in fear. In North Wilkes-Barre I can't even recall the last incident in the police blotter (Perhaps shoplifting at Schiel's or someone's car getting keyed---nothing major). Much of the city's crime happens either in parts of South Wilkes-Barre or "The Heights." Wilkes-Barre Boulevard links Parsons/Miners Mills with Center City, so a trip downtown to see a movie or hang out at Barnes & Noble would only be about five minutes, and there is an onramp/offramp right near Schiel's Supermarket near the corner of Wilkes-Barre Boulevard and George Street for the Cross-Valley Expressway, which will you have you at the mall area in 5-10 minutes. (I utilize this highway exit everyday on my commute to King's College). East Main Street in Miners Mills will bring you right to the new Mohegan Sun Casino, which is just over the city line in Plains Township.

Commerce-wise, besides Sheil's, you also have barber shops, beauty salons, corner bars, gas stations, and other neighborhood-oriented conveniences, but most head to either the mall area or to Center City for dining, shopping, etc. If I had to live anywhere in Wilkes-Barre, I'd pick Center City (I like walking everywhere). However, my second choice would be the Miners Mills/Parsons area, so you made a good choice with your move.
If I can be of any more help, feel free to ask! I'll be hitting the streets next week with new local photos, and Wilkes-Barre is apparently tied for first place in my poll of where to go next, so perhaps I'll shoot some pics of both downtown and Parsons/Miners Mills?

[ScranBarre]

I forgot to mention that I'm not too familiar with the nearby parks/recreation facilities or elementary schools, but students in this neighborhood attend Coughlin High School in Center City, which is probably the best of the city's three high schools. I think that neighborhood children attend Daniel Flood Elementary, but I'll have to double-check.

[crackhead1620]

that was sooo informative. we just sorta guessed when we leased our house in Miner's Mill, but i guess it was a good guess! the parking was an issue at most of the houses we looked at but the on we picked does have a nice double car driveway behind the house, which we found out was unusual for that area. again i can't say thank you enough! you have really put my mind at ease.

[FightinPhils]

Hey SWB, a question for you. Since you're kind of an architecture buff, I figured you might be able to answer this one. Why does Wilkes-Barre have an overabundance of what I like to call "barn houses?" You know houses, where the roof is not shaped like a triangle, but has a "barn" shape to it? Kind of like this one:


I hate those kind of houses and it might contribute to why I think W-B is blah compared to Scranton (besides the crime and Bronx feel to it).

[WasPA]

Gambrel roof, as I recall...and not a well executed gambrel....with no overhang for interest....and the aluminum siding doesn't help the overall appearance.....

[ScranBarre]

Well, Conorsdad, I'll look into this for you. I'll admit that I'm also not a large fan of Wilkes-Barre's residential housing stock. While Scranton is finally starting to see people willingly re-invest in the city's neighborhoods again thanks to its unique residential architecture in many areas, Wilkes-Barre is largely a city of "little white houses with barn rooves piled on top of each other." I'll admit that I don't like houses like that either; they're very aesthetically-unappealing. However, I'd take living in the ugliest-looking part of Scranton or Wilkes-Barre anyday over living in the prettiest part of Pittston Township, where I've noticed traffic congestion and air pollution becoming steadily worse with each new housing development and strip mall being planned.

[paintballer1708]

Thank you SWB for asking people to put more posts in here than make more threads. Thats easier for me. I dont know if you knew, but i am the current moderator for the PA and Ohio forums. Once again, thank you.