Exploring Esplen (new pictures!) (Pittsburgh, Stowe: section 8, rentals, buy)

[PreservationPioneer]

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

If the property has a tenant currently, that's another point of negativity as you have to concern yourself with making sure they leave. If an eviction is needed, that can be a bit burdensome in Pittsburgh.

Yeah, I agree. The other point I don't think SCR is prepared for is the fact this house has the main bathroom in the basement. Also, I think with these types of houses, they don't usually qualify for mortgages and you pretty much have to pay cash.

I just disagree with the notion that you have to get a mortgage to find a decent house. I also disagree that the North Side has more amenities or better transit than Esplen, which is walkable to so much and is right on a major bus line.

I think SCR wants to be part of fixing up a depressed neighborhood rather than just living in a gentrified one, in which case this would be perfect. A little love would go a long way in a tiny little neighborhood like Esplen.

[Caladium]

You've been talking about buying a house for years, and delivering food for years (giving you a chance to really scope out the neighborhoods at all times of day and night). You probably know the neighborhoods as well as anyone on this forum, and you've had ample time to know what you want in a neighborhood. By now I would also think you know what you want in a house. And since you worked for a bank, I'll bet you've had ample conversations with financial pros to know what you want as far as financing goes.

So you know enough to make up your own mind. Why ask us to talk you into or out of something? We're just strangers on the internet--you know better than we do when it comes to what you want. Time to stop talking about real estate ads and doing nothing more than talk talk talk. Start walking the walk.

[ferraris]

Originally Posted by alleghenyangel

Also, I think with these types of houses, they don't usually qualify for mortgages and you pretty much have to pay cash.

You touched on the most important aspect of this for SCR. SCR, do you have any idea what condition this home is in on the inside? I find it very doubtful that it will be up to FHA standards. If it's in at least habitable condition, you could go with a conventional mortgage. The big obstacle with any mortgage might be in finding a lender that doesn't have a minimum home value.

My oft-repeated advice to you remains: get a buyer's agent. If you were already working with a buyer's agent he or she would be able to tell you a lot more about this home with just a few phone calls than a bunch of strangers online can. You're also missing out on any "inside scoop" deals they may hear about before they officially go on the MLS.

But you did ask what we think, and I'll say all in all it has some promise. I mean you *really* need to see the inside of it, but assuming it's up to par for you, this could be just the thing you've been looking for.

[Goodjules]

Originally Posted by ferrarisnowday

My oft-repeated advice to you remains: get a buyer's agent. If you were already working with a buyer's agent he or she would be able to tell you a lot more about this home with just a few phone calls than a bunch of strangers online can. You're also missing out on any "inside scoop" deals they may hear about before they officially go on the MLS.

But you did ask what we think, and I'll say all in all it has some promise. I mean you *really* need to see the inside of it, but assuming it's up to par for you, this could be just the thing you've been looking for.

What he said.

[igotafreename]

Hi.. this is a nice thread. Id hate to ruin it with some facts... The neighborhood blite in this area is high., Will update with dozens of pictures tomorrow if this system will allow it.

From the street Tabor and down to Eslpen Street. Which is a pothole rut from one end to the other..
Sagamore St should long been paved to rid it of the cobble stone rumble .. truck and current traffic is high with the West Carson St closure. Dust level is high. LANE industries couldnt care to spray it down with water.

Nuisance car wash on the corner of West Carson /Stanhope is nothing but a nuisance. .. when you live in a 50 thousand dollar home and cant sell it for 50cents..... you better take a good look whats going on around here.

110 Sagamore over grown with weeds..
209 Sagamore overgown with weeds
216 Sagamore overgrown with weeds
Pruett-Schaffer 3327 Stafford Street riddled with weeds and trash..
WjBeitler and Co riddled with trash around property.. funny they can hire the police to guard but cant hire a person with a nailstick to clean around the place..

maybe this neighborhood looked good in the day.
but its hard to believe anyone is left around here to care.. Im totally burned out from tending to property that isnt mine..couldnt tell u how many machines its killed already. nobody paying for that but me..
those that helped run and ruin the neighborhood 20yrs ago sold it out being ignorant.. wound up with crackheads living nextdoor like lol tire george thief ..got what they deserved..

those jealous of my grandmothers corner property. its all good now.. I dont want it anymore. you can have it. Ive no interest in paying the taxes, anymore than those on Frustum St. See the sheriff taking everyones land here @ the corner of purgatory and hades. Build super highways over the chartiers creek been waiting years for that buy out .. Really..

[Uptown kid]

Esplen/Statium Street area of Sheraden, Mt. Oliver/East Overbrook/Carrick/Arlington, Spring Hill/Spring Garden/Troy Hill/East Deutschtown, Woods Run area, Polish Hill, Scotch Bottom Gleenwood & Hays are some of the city's grittiest white areas. I remember in 2013 or 2012 Esplen was in the top 5 for violent crime (with Homewood South, East Liberty, Southside Flats)... Back in 2001 Esplen was one of the few neighborhoods that had with white group-related violence- the Pagans were involved somehow, but I don't believe that they still have turf in the neighborhood./?

[I_Like_Spam]

Originally Posted by Uptown kid

... Back in 2001 Esplen was one of the few neighborhoods that had with white group-related violence- the Pagans were involved somehow, but I don't believe that they still have turf in the neighborhood./?

The Pagan community was hanging out at one of the bars over there, which has subsequently closed.

[millergrobert]

Alas I think Esplen is nearing its end. My father passed away in June, lived on Radcliffe St. His neighbors what is left of the old neighbors are still there. City has completely forgotten bout this place. Crime is horrible, Murder 4 doors down from my fathers home a couple of weeks ago.

I have a fear that development is indeed on its way. The new park along the river, the Carson Street Project. But I think the old time residents will be left behind with the "we will buy you house for cash" folks now showing up in the area.

With no one left to visit, June was probably the last time I will see Esplen.

Robert

[szug-bot]

Originally Posted by millergrobert

Alas I think Esplen is nearing its end. My father passed away in June, lived on Radcliffe St. His neighbors what is left of the old neighbors are still there. City has completely forgotten bout this place. Crime is horrible, Murder 4 doors down from my fathers home a couple of weeks ago.

I have a fear that development is indeed on its way. The new park along the river, the Carson Street Project. But I think the old time residents will be left behind with the "we will buy you house for cash" folks now showing up in the area.

With no one left to visit, June was probably the last time I will see Esplen.

Robert

It's sad, but its good for the City overall - giving other people a chance to put down roots and create memories for themselves. I would love to live in that location, if ingress/egress were improved, of course.
Condolences for your father's passing.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by szug-bot

It's sad, but its good for the City overall - giving other people a chance to put down roots and create memories for themselves. I would love to live in that location, if ingress/egress were improved, of course.
Condolences for your father's passing.

I concur. I'm very sorry to hear of your father's recent passing, but with that being said someone like me---a morally-upstanding 20-something rapidly being priced out of the housing market in the East End---would love to try to bring some fresh blood into a place like Esplen. Perhaps some of you living there are browbeaten after years (or decades) of picking up trash everywhere; tending to overgrown lots everywhere; dodging potholes everywhere; etc., but that opens the door for a new wave of younger people to take over and try to reinvigorate the neighborhood.