10 Questions to Ask Your Pittsburgh Real Estate Agent Before Buying

1. What are the [oldest/trendiest/up-and-coming] neighborhoods?

If you don't know where you want to live in Pittsburgh at the start of your real estate search, understanding the pros and cons of the 90 neighborhoods and even more surrounding boroughs can be daunting.

As such, leaning into your real estate agent's expertise in understanding the region can be a great first question to help guide you on the “where should I live?” front. Think of any descriptors that may match your interests and ask accordingly to understand what neighborhoods match your style, needs and wants, and likes and dislikes.

Are you looking to live somewhere up-and-coming with new developments or someplace fully developed and trendy? Do you want to walk to businesses or prefer to be away from a business district? Do you want to live in a historic neighborhood or a new development? Asking about these topics (and more) can help drill down where in Pittsburgh may be a fit for you before you look at a single property.

2. How does Pittsburgh's housing market compare to other major cities in Pennsylvania? Nationally?

If you spend any time reading articles online, odds are good you've seen Pittsburgh be called one of the best places to live in the country again and again and again. We are a little biased, but we do love it here and fully agree with the recognition. 

That said, Pittsburgh's housing market is changing rapidly as people worldwide are starting to realize just how awesome the city is. As such, you will do well to talk to your real estate agent about market factors going on right at this moment- both for the city's place within Pennsylvania and as compared to other similarly sized cities nationally. You may even want to ask about a specific neighborhood relative to others, too!

Only in understanding Pittsburgh's housing market relative to others in the state/country will you get a firmer appreciation for the investment you may be about to make.

3. What are the average home prices in Pittsburgh, and how have they changed in recent years?

Of course, when it comes to buying a house, price is often of the utmost importance. There is knowing the price of a property on paper, of course, but then also knowing more about the market forces at large beyond that. How have home prices changed in recent years? Has the neighborhood been on an upswing collectively? How do properties here compare to similar homes in a different neighborhood or borough?

It can be easy to get tunnel vision when looking at house prices, and sometimes looking at the bigger picture in varying circumstances like these helps paint price points in a better light. So do not be afraid to ask your agent the hard questions to understand more!

4. What amenities and services are important to home buyers in Pittsburgh?

You also cannot ignore the fact that you're not just buying a house in Pittsburgh, you're buying everything that goes with it. Gas, electric, water, internet, city/borough services like trash pickup and snow removal, parking concerns, insurance, etc. All of these have expenses you will face, and some have logistics to keep in mind, too.

Do you work from home and need access to the fastest internet on the market? You may want to make sure the area has those services available. Do you commute and want to ensure your road is regularly plowed in the winter? Discussing this concern with your agent can help you find the right spot for you (we love living on a bus line- our road is frequently plowed!). It could even be as simple as mentioning that you want gas for your heating/stove to ensure your agent only shows you houses with the appropriate fixtures!

But, as with everything, you often need to know to ask these questions at the start- so start thinking about what amenities and services are essential to you, and then ask your agent if there are others that you may be missing that you should be aware of. 

5. How do the taxes differ in Pittsburgh and the surrounding boroughs, and how do they impact property values?

One of the most significant issues that surrounds buying a house in Pittsburgh, particularly Allegheny County, revolves around taxes. The city has income tax, while some boroughs do not. Conversely, some boroughs make up for this with higher property taxes instead, whereas the city can, at times, be a fair bit lower. 

Figuring out the balance of all things taxes is a great question to ask your real estate agent. However, one topic is one that you absolutely should not overlook when having this discussion- property tax reassesments.

Notably, property taxes typically do not automatically reassess at the time of sale. Instead, it is often the local school districts that trigger reassessments after a house is purchased. Many home buyers are often in for a surprising tax increase months or years later when a school files after receiving notice of your home purchase. 

As such, it is worth having a conversation with your real estate agent about what the taxes will likely be for your property based on the sell price when a reassessment happens down the road. By having this conversation upfront, you'll be prepared in advance and will even have recommendations on what to do if (or rather, when) a reassessment notice arrives while adjusting your budget accordingly. 

6. How do Pittsburgh's transportation options impact residential choices?

One question we've received many times over the years here at Discover the Burgh is whether a neighborhood is a good location for commuting to a place of employment. In fact, when we bought our own house the commuting logistics were our biggest concern when picking a neighborhood outright!

As you likely know, Pittsburgh has a collection of very interesting roads, hills, and highways (perhaps a major understatement on our part here), a mixed public transit system of buses and fairly limited lines on the T, and there are neverending jokes about tunnel monsters causing traffic jams and people just not wanting to cross a river which are, in all honesty, pretty accurate.

As such, if you can be strategic about where you live relative to where you work, you may end up with a reasonable commute instead of one that is prone to backups and delays.

So be sure to let your realtor know if this is a concern and bring up the topic of commuting to see if there are any tips you can get for finding the perfect neighborhood!

7. What unique architectural styles can be found in Pittsburgh homes, and what does it mean for buyers?

Do you want a home with a Pittsburgh potty? Do you want a historic rowhouse or a standalone property? Or are you seeking a new, modern build with all the bells and whistles of the 21st century? Do you need a garage or is street parking okay? Are you open to buying a possible flip, or a house that was lived in by its owner? We could go on.

Pittsburgh is home to numerous housing styles out there ranging from historic to trendy and modern. Some houses have a fair bit of land. Others barely have a patch of grass. Some can offer many rooms to grow in as your family expands. Others may be best for those maintaining a smaller space. Some may have been lived in for a generation from the same owner, some may need work to make it your dream home, and others may be a recent renovation and is fully move-in ready.

The sky is the limit in Pittsburgh, but you will need to have a conversation with your agent about what house types you are looking for, what neighborhoods they can be found in, how that fits in with other questions in this list, and whether that comes together for a match with your budget, too!

• As a tangent to this question, you may also want to ask more about the history of your neighborhood, too. Is it on top of an old mine site and at risk of mine subsidence? When did the neighborhood and its buildings get developed? Why? These may unlock other key details worth understanding simply beyond the design and aesthetic of your home.

8. How much is the tech industry influencing real estate in Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh's housing market has been booming in recent years, and critics quickly point out that one possible reason is the rise in tech jobs moving to the area and the higher-than-average salaries flooding the market. Duolingo, for example, has a major office in East Liberty and famously advertised on billboards out west with the caption “Own a home. Work in tech. Move to Pittsburgh.”

In a way, these concerns are possibly justified, as prices have been rising rapidly since then. While a lot of that may be national market forces and not just the local tech scene, it is still a concern to discuss all the same.

As such, you may want to talk to your agent about the impacts of these new industries moving into the city and what it has done for house prices in the area. But, much like everything, not every neighborhood has been impacted equally. So be sure to ask about any unique market forces like this one when discussing what you are looking for (and where)!

9. What is the current state of the market right now with regard to home sales?

Before putting an offer in, it is also important to get an understanding of what the local market is like in terms of home sales. Are homes getting sold as fast as they are put on the market, or is supply outpacing demand? Is your targeted neighborhood highly sought after with limited properties for sale, or do you have many to choose from?

As with most industries, the housing market has its ups and downs, and Pittsburgh is no different. Some years, it is a buyer's market. Other times, it is a seller's market. Your agent will have their finger on the pulse of what is happening in Pittsburgh right now and will likely be able to provide solid feedback on what to expect when it comes to finding houses and putting in a successful offer.

10. What should first-time homebuyers know about the buying process in Pittsburgh?

In a previous question, we mentioned a bit about the tax reassessment process in Pittsburgh and how it is typically not immediate after buying a house. While one of the largest quirks about buying a house in Pittsburgh, it is not the only item you should be aware of in advance.

Your real estate agent should give you a rundown of the steps for buying a house, what to expect in the process, the timeline, fees, what businesses you'll need to hire and consult with, and, of course, any benefits for those who are buying for the first time to name a few.

Their knowledge of the local market will be essential in helping you navigate the homebuying process!

Overall, while there are many more questions you could ask your Pittsburgh real estate agent, the above are some of the most important that will set you off on the right path when you begin your home buying journey. Go in prepared with what you're looking for, ask these questions and others that may be important to you, and make an informed decision before buying!

Looking for a Pittsburgh real estate agent? Contact Melinda Lynch from The Melinda Lynch team today and tell them Discover the Burgh sent you!