Massachusetts vs. Pennsylvania Landlording

[Andrew Loaicono]

My brother and I currently own several rental properties in western Massachusetts.

We recently found out the hard way that the laws there are heavily skewed in favor of tenants (we're still trying to evict a non-paying one, after 7 months), despite reading that Massachusetts is middle-of-the-road in regards to landlord/tenant disputes before buying.

Are the laws in Pennsylvania more landlord-friendly, or at least more fair, than in Massachusetts?

We're thinking of diversifying our portfolio by selling a couple of properties in Massachusetts and buying in Pennsylvania.

Is it worth the trouble to make this move?

FYI: We are looking to buy in a smallish town in Pennsylvania (8,000-20,000 inhabitants), east of Harrisburg/Susquehanna river, as we live in Brooklyn, NY.

Thanks

[Matt M.]

So far I’ve had nothing but an easy time with evictions. From the mouth of one of the magistrates, “you don’t pay, you don’t stay”. 
quite landlord friendly here. 

[Andrew Loaicono]

Quote from @Matt M.:

So far I’ve had nothing but an easy time with evictions. From the mouth of one of the magistrates, “you don’t pay, you don’t stay”. 
quite landlord friendly here. 

Thanks.

What town is this the case, if you don't mind me asking? I know that things can be dicey in Philly and Pittsburgh.

[Sandy Gabin]

the laws in Pennsylvania are more landlord-friendly than in Massachusetts. I have properties both also in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. My tenants in Pennsylvania are the best for me so far because they pay rent on time. The cons that I have is that I have to drive 6 hours from Mass to Pennsylvania.

[Johnny Drago]

look into 1031 exchanges. skip the capital gains tax on the sale of your mass homes by using 1031 to buy into your pennsylvania homes.

also you might want to look into york county and lancaster. they're decent areas for investment properties.

[Don Schwartz]

Welcome Andrew,  if your interested in the Pottsville area (pop ~13k) or Lebanon (~25k) on investing let me know how i could help.

[Jim K.]

Quote from @Andrew Loaicono:

Quote from @Matt M.:

So far I’ve had nothing but an easy time with evictions. From the mouth of one of the magistrates, “you don’t pay, you don’t stay”. 
quite landlord friendly here. 

Thanks.

What town is this the case, if you don't mind me asking? I know that things can be dicey in Philly and Pittsburgh.

 Not so dicey out here in Pittsburgh. You just have to present a clear case to the district magisterial judge. Of course, in order to do that, you have to HAVE a clear case.

[Matt M.]

Quote from @Andrew Loaicono:

Quote from @Matt M.:

So far I’ve had nothing but an easy time with evictions. From the mouth of one of the magistrates, “you don’t pay, you don’t stay”. 
quite landlord friendly here. 

Thanks.

What town is this the case, if you don't mind me asking? I know that things can be dicey in Philly and Pittsburgh.

Easton and Bangor 

[Matt M.]

Quote from @Jim K.:

Quote from @Andrew Loaicono:

Quote from @Matt M.:

So far I’ve had nothing but an easy time with evictions. From the mouth of one of the magistrates, “you don’t pay, you don’t stay”. 
quite landlord friendly here. 

Thanks.

What town is this the case, if you don't mind me asking? I know that things can be dicey in Philly and Pittsburgh.

 Not so dicey out here in Pittsburgh. You just have to present a clear case to the district magisterial judge. Of course, in order to do that, you have to HAVE a clear case.

Same here. I’ve never had an issue. The whole thing costs around $300, and 41 days start to finish on their last day when the constable meets you at the property to make sure their gone. 

[Nicholas L.]

@Andrew Loaicono

Just curious - what makes you pick PA?  Do you feel like it's the closest landlord friendly state?  Or do you have personal ties to it?

[Andrew Loaicono]

Quote from @Nicholas L.:

@Andrew Loaicono

Just curious - what makes you pick PA?  Do you feel like it's the closest landlord friendly state?  Or do you have personal ties to it?

No personal ties to PA. Only considering it because it's the closest landlord-friendly state that's also relatively affordable.