Unique Dormont infill housing and other updates (Pittsburgh, Bethel Park: renting, income)

[Doowlle34]

Thanks! And here I thought we had miraculously found the funding source for the new playground at Dormont Elementary!

[Doowlle34]

Dormont gem going on the market. Obviously needs a bit of care, but one of most unique properties in the borough.

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...tWHYUHcIwDkbw4

Nice that taxes are currently only $4,600 -- would be a great if the borough had enacted the long-term homeowner (extra) transfer tax, so the community could benefit from the property owner's windfall.

[svband76]

Originally Posted by Doowlle34

Dormont gem going on the market. Obviously needs a bit of care, but one of most unique properties in the borough.

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...tWHYUHcIwDkbw4

Nice that taxes are currently only $4,600 -- would be a great if the borough had enacted the long-term homeowner (extra) transfer tax, so the community could benefit from the property owner's windfall.

Pretty awesome house. Clean it up a little bit and they can get every penny for it. The long-term owner idea is great but Dormont has a notoriously brain-dead government.

[Doowlle34]

Yea, to be clear, no chance of that happening, and I have no intention of recommending it. However, just as an abstraction, it is interesting to think about. On the one hand, it is good that we can keep seniors aging in place, without constant real estate tax increases that might force them out of their homes. On the other hand, we should also consider all the ways that we, as a society, might be subsidizing such seniors -- with income (Social Security), medical care (Medicare/Medicaid), heating assistance, etc. etc., as well as (what is, in effect, in my opinion) a real estate tax subsidy -- and ask whether this is a good use of public funds.

[Doowlle34]

Another unique property on the market in Dormont:

https://www.howardhanna.com/Property...stpenn/1524356

You can certainly quibble with finishes or price, but a key feature here is that this is (at least) the third property that the borough has rehabbed pursuant to PA's conservatorship law.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by Doowlle34

Another unique property on the market in Dormont:

https://www.howardhanna.com/Property...stpenn/1524356

You can certainly quibble with finishes or price, but a key feature here is that this is (at least) the third property that the borough has rehabbed pursuant to PA's conservatorship law.

Ah. I parked in front of that house when I last went to Dor-Stop Diner for breakfast. Nice! The pricing is a bit aggressive, but it probably will sell for not far under that.

[eschaton]

I just wonder why the heck someone decided to build a bungalow sideways on that property 100+ years ago.

[Doowlle34]

Good question! In diving through the newspapers archive on the property, it has a very interesting history, although my favorite headline is from 1980, when the Dormont police found an 8 month old, 125 lb cougar living in the garage.

[svband76]

Originally Posted by Doowlle34

Good question! In diving through the newspapers archive on the property, it has a very interesting history, although my favorite headline is from 1980, when the Dormont police found an 8 month old, 125 lb cougar living in the garage.

Bizarre. I don't remember that story and I was around at the time. Not sure if there is an alley behind the house. A nice set of Pittsburgh steps to get to the front porch. Though I don't care for the new "grey" updates, that house was an empty shell just a few months ago. A ton of work was done on it. Better saved then demoed.

Here's a much nicer classic Dormont home for $100k less. https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...6_M37854-77693

[Doowlle34]

That's a nice one, although not sure why they didn't pull the carpets before photos. Looks like it needs some serious painting as well, and kitchen is underwhelming for that price point.

Here's the article on "Nick the Cougar."