First time buyer searching for MF in Schuylkill County PA

[Bryan Davis]

Hello all 

I am a first time buyer looking for a multi family in Schuylkill County. I live in the lehigh valley and know it is very hard to find a rental property right now.

Has anyone purchased properties out that way or have any info on that area. The places are pretty cheap and I know around the Shenandoah area the town is basically dying but I do not know too much about that area.

Thanks

[Chad Jarrah]

I do most of my investing and Lehigh and Northhampton counties, but do some as well in Schuylkill county.  You are correct, in the 1st two counties, we are flooded with investors and prices are rising;  Competition is high and it's getting tougher and tougher to get a good deal. But those areas  are more likely to appreciate over time especially with all the influx of money coming in. 

In Schuylkill county, you can get more bang for your buck. Properties are cheaper and I have never had a problem renting to good tenants at a good price.  The cash flow there is excellent, but I would go into it assuming things will not appreciate as much over time, especially in comparison to Northampton and Lehigh Counties. That being said, who knows, with what's happening in Leh/Nor, investors could push out to those areas and things might appreciate more/rents go higher. It's all a guessing game, but it is a fact that cash flow is good there.

Avoid the smaller/heavily depressed towns like Shenandoah. Stick to the mid-size towns like Pottsville and Tamaqua.

Good luck.