Rental Investments in Pittsburgh, PA

[Brian Larson]

I am looking to invest in Pittsburgh, PA in the next 6 months.  I have narrowed down my focus to a few neighborhoods but I was interested in getting feedback from locals or experienced investors.  Are these neighborhoods any good for investment -- Beechview, West (& East) Liberty, Brookline, Carrick, Bon Air, Overbrook, and Dormont?  If not, what neighborhoods do you recommend and why?

I am looking to purchase here because these areas seem to be close to the metro, in the pathway of future growth, and have average school ratings. I am looking to buy a SFH but could be convinced to get a duplex or triplex, depending on costs and returns.

Any advice from a local realtor and/or investor would be appreciated.  Thanks.

[Anthony Angotti]

Originally posted by @Brian Larson:

I am looking to invest in Pittsburgh, PA in the next 6 months.  I have narrowed down my focus to a few neighborhoods but I was interested in getting feedback from locals or experienced investors.  Are these neighborhoods any good for investment -- Beechview, West (& East) Liberty, Brookline, Carrick, Bon Air, Overbrook, and Dormont?  If not, what neighborhoods do you recommend and why?

I am looking to purchase here because these areas seem to be close to the metro, in the pathway of future growth, and have average school ratings. I am looking to buy a SFH but could be convinced to get a duplex or triplex, depending on costs and returns.

Any advice from a local realtor and/or investor would be appreciated.  Thanks.

 I have 106 units now. Of which most are in Dormont and Brookline, previously had some in Beechview, and then some other neighborhoods but those are where most are. As a Realtor my customers have bought or sold investment properties in every neighborhood you mention so I'm reasonably familiar. 

Beechview, Brookline, Dormont are all appreciating and improving suburbs. Beechview is going from C => B, Brookline B- => B+, and Dormont from B => A if you follow the trend. All are walkable main streets with good access to public transportation. 

Overbrook is neither declining nor improving really. It's not a bad area for cashflow and is a reasonably safe and quiet suburb. 

Bon Air is a bit on the lower income side, but there are some streets closer to Carrick that attract a good number of qualified tenants. Other parts more towards Mt Oliver are a bit harder to find good tenants. You can find good tenants anywhere but in some areas it just requires more patience. 

East Liberty is already a known quantity and is A class. You know what you are getting here. 

There you go. A lot of info to take from niche.com if you are looking for neighborhoods and unfamiliar with an area. They are based in Pittsburgh so you'd think their data should be better here than anywhere. 

EDIT: Carrick is similar to Bon Air, but closer to Brentwood attracts a higher tenant quality than closer to Mt Oliver.