Very New Here, any help appreciated

[Radovan Matusovich]

Hi, I'm very new here and currently doing research about investing in Pittsburgh. I've been watching the market almost every day for about four years now, and I even remember seeing some of the same houses come back on the market over time.

Just two days ago, I bought a small house in Westwood, Pittsburgh. After all these years of researching, I feel like I’ve finally found my starting point—or at least, I hope so.

The house needs some improvements, including electrical work, plumbing, general handyman repairs, structural fixes, and waterproofing (both inside the basement and outside). I also need some concrete work done—removing old stairs and pouring new ones, widening the driveway, etc. Nothing too major, but enough to get things moving.

Over the past couple of days, I’ve contacted and met with several contractors, but unfortunately, most of them didn’t seem like the right fit. If you have any recommendations for reliable professionals in these areas, I’d really appreciate your help.

I’m originally from Florida and have never lived in Pittsburgh before, but I like the city and am planning to move there. This house gives me a chance to start a new chapter in my life, both personally and as a new investor.

I currently have about $200K to work with, plus some reserves, and I bought the house in cash. I’d be grateful to hear your thoughts on smart next steps—what kind of properties to look for, down payment strategies, and the best types of investments to consider in this market.

Thanks in advance for any advice or referrals!

—Rad

[Radovan Matusovich]

Quote from @Melissa Justice:

@Radovan Matusovich,

Hey, welcome to the investing world and congrats on your first property in Westwood! That’s a big step, especially after four years of watching the market. Buying in cash gives you a strong position, and it sounds like you’re already thinking like an investor by evaluating the scope of work and planning next steps.

As for contractors, finding reliable, reasonably priced ones can be one of the biggest challenges, especially in a city you're new to. I'd recommend checking out local Facebook groups focused on Pittsburgh real estate investing or landlord networks and also asking your title company or real estate agent (if you used one) for referrals. Property managers often have great contractor connections too, even if you're self-managing for now.

With $200K and a paid-off house, you’re in a solid spot to scale. If you're open to expanding beyond Pittsburgh, I'd highly recommend looking into turnkey rental investment properties in the Midwest and Southeast. Markets like Cleveland, Indianapolis, Birmingham, and parts of Florida or Georgia offer strong cash flow, stable tenant bases, and more predictable rehab timelines, especially through turnkey providers who handle the whole sales process and management for you.

Turnkey may not be for everyone, but for new investors, especially those working remotely or looking to grow without juggling multiple rehabs. It’s a great way to build cash flow and equity faster. You could leverage part of your remaining funds as a 20–25% down payment on a few turnkey deals while keeping reserves intact.

Some smart next steps might include:

Finishing your current rehab and getting it rented or refinanced if possible

Defining your investment goals: cash flow vs. appreciation, active vs. passive

Exploring out-of-state rental markets with better yields

Partnering with a company or agent that specializes in turnkey properties

Excited to see where you go from here! Let me know if you need help analyzing any deals or comparing markets. Always here to help!

Best of luck,

Melissa

Thank you very much for taking the time to reply, Melissa. Much appreciated!