Owning a home is more affordable than renting, says Realtor Brian Teyssier, and even if your budget is $75,000, Pittsburgh has many options.
“Rents are going up, making home purchasing in any range more attractive,” says Teyssier, with RE/MAX in Robinson. “Home values are at their highest in years—maybe even decades—credit restrictions have loosened, and [interest] rates are at an all-time low, but climbing. If you want to know the recipe for a great time to buy and sell in Pittsburgh, that’s it.”
If you know the location you prefer, an experienced, high-producing agent can help you find the right home. Teyssier often looks up agents on Zillow when he wants to refer business out of state. Since the seller pays the broker’s commission, “basically, the buyer gets free representation—why not use it?” he says.
If you’re looking for a home around $75,000, you might not be stuck with fixer-uppers that need a lot of work, “but chances are good they will need some elbow grease,” he says.
Here’s a sampling of what’s out there. And be sure to check out our recent articles on what $150,000 will buy you in Pittsburgh and what $300,000 will buy you in Pittsburgh and What $1 million will buy you in Pittsburgh.
EAST
Neighborhood: 757 North Ave., Wilkinsburg
Asking price: $74,878
Style: Victorian
Description: This six-bedroom, four-bath home was converted to a triplex and then back to a single-family home. It has many details from its 1880 construction: the portico, a grand foyer with crystal chandeliers, some original woodwork, and immense rooms. In his listing, Teyssier noted the many bedrooms to choose from, a huge deck, four off-street parking spaces and gas forced-air heat. Fixing up this house to show it helped to secure a contingency sale.
Neighborhood: 532 Idlewood Dr., Penn Hills
Asking price: $74,900
Style: Two-story
Description: This brick home built in 1962 has three bedrooms, and updated 1.5 bathrooms. The front door and the door to the attached one-car garage are new. The interior is freshly painted, and the large kitchen has been updated as well, Howard Hanna agent Frank Amato notes in his listing. This house has forced-air gas heat, central cooling, and a nice-sized yard.
NORTH
Neighborhood: 2059 Pittview Ave., Reserve
Asking price: $75,000
Style: Two-story
Description: This three-bedroom home has a “beautiful, original hardwood staircase, trim and French doors,” RE/MAX agent Erin Connolly says in the listing that drew a contingency sale. The fireplace in the living room is decorative; the kitchen has an original porcelain sink but needs updating, as does the electric service, she notes. This home has an older furnace and windows as well, “but everything works just fine,” says Connolly. The front porch offers a view of the Allegheny River; the backyard is large. The house is in Shaler Area School District.
Neighborhood: 7102 Perrysville Ave., Ben Avon
Asking price: $75,000
Style: Edwardian
Description: This three-bedroom, two-bath home built in 1902 offers a “great opportunity to get into Ben Avon, says Dustin Nulf with Keller Williams Realty. “That being said, the property needs a good bit of work,” he notes in the listing. The secluded farmhouse-style home located in Avonworth School District has a freshly painted exterior, new appliances and renovated cabinets and countertops in the kitchen, and a large, private backyard.
SOUTH
Neighborhood: 110 Laughlin St., Carrick
Asking price: $74,500
Style: Edwardian
Description: Keller Williams agent Dionne Malush describes this 1901 home as “charming and convenient,” because of its location. Its full bath and half bath have been remodeled, and many rooms have recent updates. The homeowner invested in a furnace, air conditioning unit and hot water tank. A third bedroom was converted to a second-floor laundry room but could be switched back. This house has covered front and back porches, and two on-street parking spaces. It, too, is a contingency listing.
Neighborhood: 404 Jillson St., Brookline
Asking price: $78,000
Style: Edwardian
Description: With a convenient location just off Pioneer Avenue and near Brookline Boulevard, this two-bedroom, one-bath brick home has been updated with newer windows, doors, and soffit and fascia, says Howard Hanna agent Deborah McDonough. The updated kitchen has an island with a sink and dishwasher; appliances are included with the sale. The bathroom was also updated, and the home’s interior has been painted and cleaned.
WEST
Neighborhood: 1414 Haas St., Chartiers City
Asking price: $75,000
Style: Two-story
Description: Listing agent Adrianne Carter with Northwood Realty says this two-bedroom, 1.5-bath home built in 1920 is in a quiet city neighborhood with a large, fenced yard. It’s close to a school, playground and bus routes. With an eat-in kitchen and lots of storage room in the basement, this could be a great starter home, Carter notes.
Neighborhood: 568 Carriage Circle, Pennsbury Village
Asking price: $79,000
Style: Condo/townhome
Description: “Let someone else do the yard work,” says Cathleen Weiland with Keller Williams Realty. This one-bedroom, 1.5-bath condo in Pennsbury Village has a sunken living room and sliding glass doors that lead to a deck overlooking woods. It has new carpet and a new electric stove; the condo fee includes gas and water. Pennsbury Village, built in 1974 and situated between the city and Robinson, has a pool, basketball and tennis courts, a hair salon and a pub in the common area.
