Pittsburgh lands in top 10 for trendiest, best city for first-time homebuyers

If you’re already a homeowner in Pittsburgh, you’re ahead of the trend.

Realtor.com® recently analyzed 500 of the largest municipalities across the country to find the most hip. Pittsburgh landed in fourth place, thanks to its’ culture, neighborhoods and foodie restaurants.

Additionally, the Steel City was recently named the fourth best city for first-time homebuyers, according to SmartAssest, thanks mostly to affordable housing opportunities.

“There is a good strength of millennials buy in our area,” said the Realtors® Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh President J. Reed Pirain. Pirain added that while rents may be rising, the cost of housing in Pittsburgh is affordable.

“We’re seeing there is a market for renters saying ‘I have good credit and some money saved. I can get into a home and pay the same or less for rent.’ I have that conversation a lot when I first meet with prospective renters,” he added.

Pirain said that in the past, renters would usually start to inquire about purchasing their first home after three or four years. Now, renters are asking in their first year of renting.

In addition to the affordable market, Pirain said the addition of offices of companies like Hoover, Facebook and Google to the city has led to “good development” in Pittsburgh. “Many of the employees live around there.”

“It’s more transitional in the city,” he added. “There is a good, equal balance of new job opportunities and also think of the development that occurred with it. Residential housing came with commercial. Taking old homes and seeing community development,” he said.

The city also has a lot of “hot” neighborhoods, said Pirain, noting that the city has 90 different communities “that all have their own little personality and unique image,” he said. “There is a slew of neighborhoods, there is some government money coming in. We have a lot of diversity, different feels and flavors.”

Pirain also pointed out the city offers close access to an airport, entertainment venues, sports teams, and more. “It’s a well-rounded city.”

“Yes, there is still a demand for rental. But we needed affordable housing and we’re doing well. On the sales side, we’re putting affordable housing to buyers. On the rental side? Not so much,” he said.

“I think what’s unique about millennials is that they are more conservative, concerned and smarter with money and credit. They have an idea of self-preservation, and they want to do the best they can and make their mark. That leads to home buying,” he added.

“I think Pittsburgh was always known as old-school, but we started to see some recognition,” he said. “We have everything as a major, large city, but we’re not as big.”