Pittsburgh House Hacking/Rentals (Tax concerns)

[Victoria Radcliff]

Within the next year I am looking to house hack in the Pittsburgh area with intentions on investing in rental homes. I now rent in the Coraopolis where I am close to work. I would house hack in Allegheny County to be close to work but the taxes here are very high. Most of my coworkers live out in the Cranberry area where Butler county are much cheaper. I want to know where in the Pittsburgh market are successful with rentals that will work for me to live and invest.

[Jeremy Taggart]

@Victoria Radcliff the City of Pittsburgh generally has the lowest property taxes compared to most of the "suburbs". Downside of the city is the 5% transfer tax compared to 2% of most all other areas, but that's just paid at closing. There's not really any multi units in Butler County outside of the city of Butler, so might need to look into house hacking a single family if wanting to live there. Really just have to consider all areas but make sure you factor into the numbers the property taxes and also keep in mind that if the area has a high tax millage that the taxes could be increased if you are paying more than the current assessed value. That can turn a good deal into a bad one real quick. I always run the numbers taking into account the new tax values if the property were to be re assessed at the purchase price just in case since a lot of these properties are assessed way lower than what they are worth in todays market.