All Forum Posts by: Chris Gordon

 This is a great point and one of the reasons I feel OK about certain areas of Pittsburgh despite the fact that the Pittsburgh MSA as a whole is losing population ...a lot of it is from specific areas dying off while others are doing great. 

Each investment has a mix of appreciation or cashflow; I think these areas are good cashflow but poor appreciation spots

Wow.

I'm in Washington County just south of the county border.

Yeah they're out there, but they're busy. Recommend you go to the Pittsburgh REIA facebook group, many more eyes and you'll get overwhelmed with solicitations if you ask that.

So I transitioned out of USMC in 2014 and moved here for a W2 opportunity. If you want any advice, etc send me a message.

Here's what I see in Pittsburgh:

The general MSA population is declining, and overall older, and unless you don't believe the stats for some reason that's a fact.

However much of this is in very specific areas. Certain areas where the local industry has moved elsewhere or become antiquated are declining. A lot of these places don't have access to good highways and infrastructure, compounding the problem. 

Population in the areas with very old housing have thinned out because buyers have sought out the newer construction stuff a few miles down the road.

I'd like to see a chart of Allegheny/Washington county Township/Borough population change over the last 20 years. The net population growth is downward, but I'd bet the areas near highways, near the T, and closer into the city have generally done well, and will continue to appreciate.

Know your market I guess.

anytime I see capex as a % I think that's a mistake.

A roof costs about the same in Mt Oliver as it does in Mt Lebanon.

Found an obviously vacant house in a great part of town. Talked to the neighbor who confirmed it and that the owner moved out of state. County records show property is 3 years behind on taxes.

Use skipgenie and called every number listed. No answer, disconnected, was able to leave a single voicemail.

Anything else I can do short of door knocking his address 1000 miles away? Any success with contacting the individuals skip trace shows may be relatives?

Are you located in Pittsburgh?

The REIA facebook group is a good place to start

@Jared McCullough Totally agree...I'm in Pittsburgh and started here, too. I think there are better long-term options but my sense is it's an easy(ier) place to start than many.

I have properties in Carnegie, Coraopolis, and have done flips in Washington County (just south of Pittsburgh). 

I'm going to move and will be in a location where I can easily invest in a few MSA's within easy driving distance.

The challenge to getting a solid handle on what those MSA's are doing overall is finding decent data: it's either for a single point-in-time (not showing year-over-year trends), dated, not reputable/no idea where it comes from, or too much money to take a chance on it answering my questions.

Any recommendations?

Semper fi

I’m anti course/coaching, but there are those that like it /need it

And plenty of local folks who are doing it and willing to help you out free