Article on Purchasing Abandoned Homes in Pittsburgh (Wilkinsburg, O'Hara Township: cul-de-sac, chapel)

[PennHillsNative80]

Since I seem to be on the abandoned homes/demolition kick, I found an article that I thought was interesting to share.

Pittsburgh seeking new ways to keep up with number of vacant properties

So, from what I read, the Allegheny County Vacant Recovery Program needs to have a buyer approach them about a property first, and it takes about $3,000 to scrub a title of an abandoned property.

I wonder how long that takes? It almost sounds too easy to be true.

[globalburgh]

PittsburghTODAY has a good series on the subject (also published this week):

PittsburghTODAY

[groar]

Originally Posted by PennHillsNative80

Since I seem to be on the abandoned homes/demolition kick, I found an article that I thought was interesting to share.

Pittsburgh seeking new ways to keep up with number of vacant properties

So, from what I read, the Allegheny County Vacant Recovery Program needs to have a buyer approach them about a property first, and it takes about $3,000 to scrub a title of an abandoned property.

I wonder how long that takes? It almost sounds too easy to be true.

it takes about a year all told. it's not very hard at all, just slow. and obviously you have to buy with cash.

[ex-burgher]

Maybe we should have sent these links to West Seattle Gal before she came to visit!

[PreservationPioneer]

Apparently, the Vacant Property Recovery Program only operates in Braddock, Carnegie, Homestead, McKees Rocks, North Braddock, Pitcairn, Rankin, and Wilkinsburg (according to the link below). Or are there other communities that participate?

Allegheny County Economic Development - Vacant Property Recovery Program

[gg]

Originally Posted by alleghenyangel

Apparently, the Vacant Property Recovery Program only operates in Braddock, Carnegie, Homestead, McKees Rocks, North Braddock, Pitcairn, Rankin, and Wilkinsburg (according to the link below). Or are there other communities that participate?

Allegheny County Economic Development - Vacant Property Recovery Program

Thanks for that link and furthering this thread. I am looking for a restoration project right now, but I don't think I am interested in those areas. Parts of Wilkinsburg maybe, but I think I am going to take a pass.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by h_curtis

Parts of Wilkinsburg maybe, but I think I am going to take a pass.

I actually foresee a bright future for a good chunk of Wilkinsburg, especially the areas closest to Regent Square (i.e. Hamnett Place and surroundings). Regent Square's desirability and reputation have boosted property values there to the point where they'll soon be rivaling Point Breeze, Squirrel Hill, and Shadyside, and those looking to live near the "buzz" (but who don't have the level of discretionary income now needed to buy in the core of the neighborhood) will be looking to live on the periphery.

Wilkinsburg's largest hurdle is obviously its deplorable school district, which I believe is actually worse than the city's schools, but places like Churchill and Forest Hills have remained desirable and stable despite being a part of the similarly nefarious Woodland Hills School District.

[gg]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

I actually foresee a bright future for a good chunk of Wilkinsburg, especially the areas closest to Regent Square (i.e. Hamnett Place and surroundings). Regent Square's desirability and reputation have boosted property values there to the point where they'll soon be rivaling Point Breeze, Squirrel Hill, and Shadyside, and those looking to live near the "buzz" (but who don't have the level of discretionary income now needed to buy in the core of the neighborhood) will be looking to live on the periphery.

Wilkinsburg's largest hurdle is obviously its deplorable school district, which I believe is actually worse than the city's schools, but places like Churchill and Forest Hills have remained desirable and stable despite being a part of the similarly nefarious Woodland Hills School District.

I do want to point out there are people that might make lots of money on taking over some of these homes and fixing them up. That price range isn't in my field of expertise and that where the biggest problem would be for myself. I am more of a $100K and up person, because that is what I focused on over the years.

Keep in mind, if Wilkinsburg does keep going well, that will just make the other areas you mentioned increase in value because the buffer grows. This is the reason Fox Chapel is so expensive. O'Hara surrounds most of it and that is one heck of a buffer, considering there are million dollar homes there. Just using that as an example.

[WILWRadio]

Are these properties available to private individuals? The articles are not quite clear at outlining who is eligible to purchase these properties.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by h_curtis

O'Hara surrounds most of it and that is one heck of a buffer, considering there are million dollar homes there. Just using that as an example.

Agreed. I make deliveries frequently in some of the cul-de-sacs and subdivisions off of Powers Run Road in the eastern part of O'Hara Township, and some of the homes up there are palatial. Colquitt Drive, for example, has some gorgeous homes that are probably valued in the upper-six-figure range, and then there's those townhomes with amazing views overlooking the Hulton Bridge and Oakmont (Shadowridge Drive perhaps?)