All Forum Posts by: Shai Flax

@Jim K. Thank you for your input, I'm always happy to learn some more thinks about my investing city.

I actually really like PGH, it has great deals but maybe I dhould focus on properties that are turnkey or needs minor repairs so that my boots on the ground can handle that...

Thank you for taking the time to answer me!

@Joe Hammel Thank you for tour answer, that's a great atitude to have and if I'll come across this situation I will definatly do that!

My biggest problem is to even start talking to a contractor. All the recommended ones didn't answer me...

I'll give the Facebook group a try for sure.

Your advice on the agent is great, I'm texting him right now.

Thank you for taking the time to answer me!

Hi BP!

I'll start with that- I am really (really) frustrated.

I'm investing in Pittsburgh PA and one of the things that is holding me the most is the fact that I can't find a contractor. At all.

I have a rental property that needed just a minor fix so the PM took care of that for me. Now I want to buy a duplex that will probably need a nice amount of work and I afraid to do that because I don't have a contractor yet.

I have tried to look search (and reach out) in Home advisor, Angie's list, Yelp, Houzz. Also looked here in Pittsburgh forum and couldn't find any refferals. I was looking in the Facebook area group but I have a trust issues with refferals from Facebook.

I'm OOC so I don't know anyone from Pittsburgh (exept my agent which have no refferal for me).

I know that I'm doing something wrong obviously and I would really like to know what.

Any input or recommondation will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Hi BP!

I'll start with that- I am really (really) frustrated.

I'm investing in Pittsburgh PA and one of the things that is holding me the most is the fact that I can't find a contractor. At all.

I have a rental property that needed just a minor fix so the PM took care of that for me. Now I want to buy a duplex that will probably need a nice amount of work and I afraid to do that because I don't have a contractor yet.

I have tried to look search (and reach out) in Home advisor, Angie's list, Yelp, Houzz. Also looked here in Pittsburgh forum and couldn't find any refferals. I was looking in the Facebook area group but I have a trust issues with refferals from Facebook.

I'm OOC so I don't know anyone from Pittsburgh (exept my agent which have no refferal for me).

I know that I'm doing something wrong obviously and I would really like to know what.

Any input or recommondation will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Hi BP!

I'll start with that- I am really (really) frustrated.

I'm investing in Pittsburgh PA and one of the things that is holding me the most is the fact that I can't find a contractor. At all.

I have a rental property that needed just a minor fix so the PM took care of that for me. Now I want to buy a duplex that will probably need a nice amount of work and I afraid to do that because I don't have a contractor yet. 

I have tried to look search (and reach out) in Home advisor, Angie's list, Yelp, Houzz. Also looked here in Pittsburgh forum and couldn't find any refferals. I was looking in the Facebook area group but I have a trust issues with refferals from Facebook.

I'm OOC so I don't know anyone from Pittsburgh (exept my agent which have no refferal for me).

I know that I'm doing something wrong obviously and I would really like to know what.

Any input or recommondation will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

@Nicolina Nanni I would start right away. It's very difficult to find one and it will probably take a while (I hope not tho). Start now and when you find someone keep this relationship alive (send him/her cookies for Christmas etc). When you'll need him/her- you'll have a direct line. 

This is my two cents anyway...

Hi @Aaron Barker, welcome!

I have a rental property nut it's on the west of PGH. I'm not familiar with 15145 but I will say that Wilkimsburg is not really decent... I believe that there are a lot of investors who works there (my property is not in the best area as well) but it's pretty rough neighborhood. 15218 is way better.

About buy or wait situation- if you are in this for the long run (10,20,30 years)- I wouldn't wait. I bought my property in June this year and currently looking for another one.

As they say- don't wait to buy real astate. Buy real eatate and wait.

As long as the numbers are working, you have reserves and you are not oner leveraging yourself you are golden.

Best of Luck!

@Nicolina Nanni I'm no expert but with looking in PGH market the past year I believe it;s doable.

I'm OOC investor so I now what you are going through (minus the great loans that you can get haha). I have one proprty and currently looking for my second one and I have never visited PGH (yet). 

You'll need to find good investor friendly agent, a decent contractor (which is extremly hard in PGH from my experiance) and good PM. It's all doable and since you are originally from PGH you have great knoeledge in the neighborhoods (which we know is so street by street).

Fell free to DM me if you'll need some help or want to chat.

Best of luck!

Hi @Yonatan Weic,

I'm an investor from Israel.

I only have one property now but I bought it under an LLC (in Pennsylvania). I'm investing in Pittsburgh PA and currently reaserching for another city to invest in for diversification.

I did it all remotely. I was supposed to visit Pittsburgh on April but with Covid I was'nt able to travel.

I would definatly build a strong team of realtor (that knows and understands long distance investing and would be willing to help you in unconventional tings like virtual house tours etc), contractor and PM. All of them have to be good and you'd probably gonna kiss a few frogs before you'll find you prince/princess.

I highly recommend to read the book "Long distance real estate investing" by David Greene which helped me a lot to make an order in my mind and focus on what's important.

Best of luck!

Welcome! PGH is a great place to invest in!