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Brandon Morgan
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buying rental properties in Pennsylvania

Brandon Morgan
Posted Mar 21 2024, 05:16

Hi all I am looking to buy My first property for rent. I am new to real estate. I Live in jersey and the Prices seem to not be going down here and there is little to no inventory So I started to look at Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania specifically the Scranton area seems to have more options and the prices are better. looking to buy a multifamily for rent or even a flip depending on the numbers. Does anyone have any experiences with Pennsylvania? is it worth it? does anyone know about rental properties in that area? any advice on the matter would be great. open to any suggestions. 

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Dan Marriggi
  • Flipper/Rehabber
  • West Roxbury MA, Scranton area
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Dan Marriggi
  • Flipper/Rehabber
  • West Roxbury MA, Scranton area
Replied Mar 21 2024, 06:52
Welcome Brandon - I have properties here in the wyoming valley.
I am a native to the area.
Scranton has many hoops to jump as an investor - esp. an out of the area investor.
One is you'd have to hire a property manager if you do not live in the city of Scranton or within 20 miles of the city.

Real estate taxes are high -that plus the current interest rate and ask prices makes cash flow an issue.

You can find "deals" but please do your due diligence.
Here is an example of a potential deal I am evaluating in the hill section of the city: 20 y/o, 2000 sq ft. 3b/3bath TH - Needs paint, new carpeting, and general wear and tear repairs after a 4 year tenant. Ask price off market: $250K, No HOA, rents approx: $1900-2100/month, RE taxes approx : 7400/year, Property insurance : $1200/year, Misc fees trash,rent registration etc : $400 / year
Evaluate this and let me know your thoughts.

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Brandon Morgan
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Brandon Morgan
Replied Mar 21 2024, 09:11

Is this just a single family? based on what I looked at with the calculator the mortgage is around $2400 monthly not including extra fees. if rent is around 2000 a month you'd definitely be under. I mean maybe if its fixed up it could add some value but it seems to be negative. but My math could be wrong I'm still new to this haha. what would you do in this situation? 

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Brandon Morgan
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Brandon Morgan
Replied Mar 21 2024, 09:12
Quote from @Dan Marriggi:
Welcome Brandon - I have properties here in the wyoming valley.
I am a native to the area.
Scranton has many hoops to jump as an investor - esp. an out of the area investor.
One is you'd have to hire a property manager if you do not live in the city of Scranton or within 20 miles of the city.

Real estate taxes are high -that plus the current interest rate and ask prices makes cash flow an issue.

You can find "deals" but please do your due diligence.
Here is an example of a potential deal I am evaluating in the hill section of the city: 20 y/o, 2000 sq ft. 3b/3bath TH - Needs paint, new carpeting, and general wear and tear repairs after a 4 year tenant. Ask price off market: $250K, No HOA, rents approx: $1900-2100/month, RE taxes approx : 7400/year, Property insurance : $1200/year, Misc fees trash,rent registration etc : $400 / year
Evaluate this and let me know your thoughts.
Is this just a single family? based on what I looked at with the calculator the mortgage is around $2400 monthly not including extra fees. if rent is around 2000 a month you'd definitely be under. I mean maybe if its fixed up it could add some value but it seems to be negative. but My math could be wrong I'm still new to this haha. what would you do in this situation?

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Brandon Morgan
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Brandon Morgan
Replied Mar 21 2024, 09:13
Quote from @Dan Marriggi:
Welcome Brandon - I have properties here in the wyoming valley.
I am a native to the area.
Scranton has many hoops to jump as an investor - esp. an out of the area investor.
One is you'd have to hire a property manager if you do not live in the city of Scranton or within 20 miles of the city.

Real estate taxes are high -that plus the current interest rate and ask prices makes cash flow an issue.

You can find "deals" but please do your due diligence.
Here is an example of a potential deal I am evaluating in the hill section of the city: 20 y/o, 2000 sq ft. 3b/3bath TH - Needs paint, new carpeting, and general wear and tear repairs after a 4 year tenant. Ask price off market: $250K, No HOA, rents approx: $1900-2100/month, RE taxes approx : 7400/year, Property insurance : $1200/year, Misc fees trash,rent registration etc : $400 / year
Evaluate this and let me know your thoughts.

 I mean based on what I've seen it still seems a lot better than what I've been seeing in New jersey. I wouldn't be able to get something like that for anything less than 500k here. 

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Tanner Lewis
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#3 Starting Out Contributor
  • Lender
  • Austin, TX
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Tanner Lewis
Pro Member
#3 Starting Out Contributor
  • Lender
  • Austin, TX
Replied Mar 21 2024, 09:47

I've done quite a few deals in Pennsylvania. Many of them have worked pretty well as rural STRs, I have also seen a few LTRs, but honestly not a lot of flips. The BRRRR strategy works pretty well in some PA submarkets.

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Brandon Morgan
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Brandon Morgan
Replied Mar 21 2024, 10:29
Quote from @Tanner Lewis:

I've done quite a few deals in Pennsylvania. Many of them have worked pretty well as rural STRs, I have also seen a few LTRs, but honestly not a lot of flips. The BRRRR strategy works pretty well in some PA submarkets.

Since that part of PA is over an hour from me I was thinking more Long Term Rentals for my strategy. but at this point whatever works best and I can find a good deal. 

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Tanner Lewis
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  • Lender
  • Austin, TX
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Tanner Lewis
Pro Member
#3 Starting Out Contributor
  • Lender
  • Austin, TX
Replied Mar 21 2024, 10:31
Quote from @Brandon Morgan:
Quote from @Tanner Lewis:

I've done quite a few deals in Pennsylvania. Many of them have worked pretty well as rural STRs, I have also seen a few LTRs, but honestly not a lot of flips. The BRRRR strategy works pretty well in some PA submarkets.

Since that part of PA is over an hour from me I was thinking more Long Term Rentals for my strategy. but at this point whatever works best and I can find a good deal. 

That makes sense. I suggest looking for more turnkey properties if that is your priority

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Dan Marriggi
  • Flipper/Rehabber
  • West Roxbury MA, Scranton area
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Dan Marriggi
  • Flipper/Rehabber
  • West Roxbury MA, Scranton area
Replied Mar 22 2024, 05:59
Also remember that prior to Covid, Appreciation of our RE here was not great.
We were a cash flow market NOT an appreciation market. I don't believe we will see the price jumps going further. Probably a more normalized market gain of a few percent per year.

I think you should find a turnkey property as mentioned and hold it.
I'm happy to help if you have any questions or if you want to run some numbers.

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Emmanuel Ojo-Powerson II
  • Wholesaler
  • NJ NY PA, MD
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Emmanuel Ojo-Powerson II
  • Wholesaler
  • NJ NY PA, MD
Replied Apr 18 2024, 20:08

Hello Brandon, hope you’re doing well. I do have some off-market properties within the Scranton area. Looking forwards to connect with you and to collaborate.