Double closing vs. assignment — which one I use and when (Pittsburgh perspective)

[Mark Schinzel]

New wholesalers ask about this constantly. Here's my practical take after 6+ years in the Pittsburgh market:

Assignment of contract:
- Simpler, cheaper, faster
- Buyer sees your purchase price (and your spread)
- Best for: most deals where the spread is under $20k and your buyer doesn't care
- Title companies in Pittsburgh that will do assignments: most of them

Double close:
- You actually close twice (A-to-B, then B-to-C)
- Hides your spread from the end buyer
- Costs more (two sets of closing costs)
- Use when: spread is $25k+ and you don't want the buyer to renegotiate after seeing it
- Need "transactional funding" if you don't have cash for the A-to-B close (typically 1–2 days, 1–2% fee)

My rule of thumb:
- Under $15k spread → assignment, always
- $15–25k spread → depends on buyer relationship
- Over $25k → double close

Pittsburgh-specific note:
Allegheny County title companies are generally investor-friendly. I've never had a title company refuse an assignment here. Some markets have issues with this — Pittsburgh isn't one of them.

Happy to recommend specific title companies if you're new to the market.