some questions about Pittsburgh neighborhoods and relocation (Allentown, Crafton: apartment, renting)

[The King of Um]

Originally Posted by Stijl Council

And in good condition, too, based on a couple of the early posts.

OP, one other neighborhood that might make some sense for you is Observatory Hill. It's a compromise in terms of walkability, possibly in terms of crime, and possibly in terms of appreciation, although I personally think some of the housing stock in the neighborhood, especially right by the park, is so lovely that there will always be some demand. There've been a few threads about OH in the forum.

What it does have is the type of architecture you're looking for (the old Victorians are mostly in the 140K and up range, but the neighborhood is the right age and there's lots of brick construction) and a few options in your price range, for example 30 Bonvue St. and 271 Kennedy Ave.

Just livable condition, not perfect condition--that's all that I need. I can do cosmetic work myself. I cannot, however, do complicated plumbing and carpentry work--that takes someone with skills far beyond my own. I'll check out Observatory Hill; thanks for the suggestion. I don't need shopping to be literally right next door, since I like to walk anyway.

[robrobrob]

Originally Posted by eschaton

Just outside your price range.

Great location, eh on curb appeal. May be gut job inside.

I love this house, although it's not in the most accessible part of Beechview.

About the cheapest livable brick house you can get in Lawrenceville now.

99% sure this is a gut job. But what a gut job it is!

There has to be something wrong with the Lawrenceville house. Trulia says that it has been on the market for 342 days.

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by robrobrob

There has to be something wrong with the Lawrenceville house. Trulia says that it has been on the market for 342 days.

Hrrm...maybe someone forgot to take it down.

[ferraris]

Spring HIll and Observatory Hill? That's a huge sacrifice in walkability and resale potential. Possibly crime issues as well.

[The King of Um]

Originally Posted by eschaton

Just outside your price range.

Great location, eh on curb appeal. May be gut job inside.

I love this house, although it's not in the most accessible part of Beechview.

About the cheapest livable brick house you can get in Lawrenceville now.

99% sure this is a gut job. But what a gut job it is!

If the listing agent shows no pictures of the interior, that's usually a bad sign--but not always. It could just be an incompetent agent. I'll have to look into this one.

I have to admit, the house on Fair Acres is very nice for a wood-frame. It looks rather like a modest "Painted Lady."

The Lawrenceville row is nice, but it's been on the market for nearly a year, which leads me to think that there has to be something seriously wrong with it. Why do you suppose it hasn't yet sold?

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by Hip Priest

If the listing agent shows no pictures of the interior, that's usually a bad sign--but not always. It could just be an incompetent agent. I'll have to look into this one.

I have to admit, the house on Fair Acres is very nice for a wood-frame. It looks rather like a modest "Painted Lady."

The Lawrenceville row is nice, but it's been on the market for nearly a year, which leads me to think that there has to be something seriously wrong with it. Why do you suppose it hasn't yet sold?

You won't know unless you go look at them. Most foreclosures don't have interior pictures. That doesn't mean there's something wrong with it inside.

btw, you should be looking at houses priced higher than 60k because asking prices can be negotiated.

[ebyrnes]

HipPriest, I live at 1200 Superior Ave, and would be happy to tell you the block and area in general; it is racially mixed, and working to middle class. Parts of the neighborhood a few blocks away are very poor (white and black, and I only say that because of a different thread) and has a fair amount of drug related crime. If you stay away from that type of activity, most likely you will be perfectly safe. I used to get home from work after midnight, and never had any scares or close calls. We've taken precautions and I'm pretty street savvy, but I don't feel scared here - and I say this as a white woman who is less than 130 lbs.

The neighborhood has a very active community group: Brightwood Civic Group. And New Hope Church (Welcome to New Hope) is very invested in the neighborhood as well; in fact, the head of the church lives on my block.

The area is well served by the 15, 16, and 17 buses. Kuhn's Grocery store is right in the neighborhood, and while not the greatest, it isn't horrible, either. You can walk to the gorgeous cemetaries, or to Riverview Park. It is very easy to get to bike trail into the city, and there is a kayak launch close by as well.

I encourage you to keep an open mind about Marshall Shadeland, and I'd be happy to answer any specific questions you have - the good and the bad.

e

Originally Posted by Hip Priest

Thanks for the info, eschaton. Do you mean to say a person cannot get anything except an ugly frame house in my price range in a walkable area like Troy Hill, East Deutschtown or Upper Lawrenceville? Brick residences cannot be purchased for less than $60,000?

What about Bluff? I know much of the area has been demolished, but the architecture is stunning!

I'm considering Brighton Heights. How's the public transport there, though?

I've been told to stay clear of Marshall Shadeland, but I really don't know enough about the area to make a judgement call. I've seen the ad for the house you linked to on Superior Ave., and it would do. I just don't know about the area, though. I mean, I don't want to be a crime statistic.

What is Allentown like? I don't know anything about that neighborhood.

Trust me, I'd prefer to stay clear of any area that's in free-fall. Therefore, places like Sheraden are out of the question.

[The King of Um]

Originally Posted by ebyrnes

HipPriest, I live at 1200 Superior Ave, and would be happy to tell you the block and area in general; it is racially mixed, and working to middle class. Parts of the neighborhood a few blocks away are very poor (white and black, and I only say that because of a different thread) and has a fair amount of drug related crime. If you stay away from that type of activity, most likely you will be perfectly safe. I used to get home from work after midnight, and never had any scares or close calls. We've taken precautions and I'm pretty street savvy, but I don't feel scared here - and I say this as a white woman who is less than 130 lbs.

The neighborhood has a very active community group: Brightwood Civic Group. And New Hope Church (Welcome to New Hope) is very invested in the neighborhood as well; in fact, the head of the church lives on my block.

The area is well served by the 15, 16, and 17 buses. Kuhn's Grocery store is right in the neighborhood, and while not the greatest, it isn't horrible, either. You can walk to the gorgeous cemetaries, or to Riverview Park. It is very easy to get to bike trail into the city, and there is a kayak launch close by as well.

I encourage you to keep an open mind about Marshall Shadeland, and I'd be happy to answer any specific questions you have - the good and the bad.

e

Thank you for the info! If I find any homes I'm interested in there, I know who to ask now.

[The King of Um]

Originally Posted by Hopes

You won't know unless you go look at them. Most foreclosures don't have interior pictures. That doesn't mean there's something wrong with it inside.

btw, you should be looking at houses priced higher than 60k because asking prices can be negotiated.

How far (as a percentage) can one usually bargain down these asking prices, assuming one has a good buyer's agent? Do sellers in Pittsburgh usually get near what they're asking for?

[Goodjules]

Originally Posted by Hip Priest

How far (as a percentage) can one usually bargain down these asking prices, assuming one has a good buyer's agent? Do sellers in Pittsburgh usually get near what they're asking for?

It's all based on comps. Your agent will get info on comparable sales in the area so you have some idea if the house is priced correctly. If it's overpriced you can negotiate the price down and hope that the seller is ready to deal with the fact that their home is overpriced.