How do I sell my house fast in Pittsburgh PA?

Contact We Buy Property at (412) 424-6412 for a free, no-obligation cash offer. We can close in as little as 7 days with no repairs, cleaning, or agent fees required.

How quickly can you close on my Pittsburgh house?

We can close in as little as 7 days. We pay cash so there are no mortgage delays, no appraisals, and no waiting on bank approvals.

Do I need to make repairs before selling?

No. We buy houses in any condition — fire damage, flood damage, hoarder homes, or properties needing major renovation. You pay nothing out of pocket.

Are there any fees or commissions?

Zero. No agent commissions, no closing costs, no hidden fees. The cash offer we make is what you receive at closing.

What areas do you buy houses in?

We buy houses throughout the Pittsburgh metro area including Allegheny, Washington, Beaver, Westmoreland, Butler, and Armstrong counties — covering all Pittsburgh neighborhoods and surrounding communities.

Can you buy my house if it is in foreclosure?

Yes. We specialize in helping homeowners stop foreclosure. We can close fast enough to satisfy the bank timeline and help you walk away with cash.

What if I inherited a property in Pittsburgh I don't want?

We buy inherited properties in Pittsburgh regularly. We work around probate timelines and can buy the property as-is, saving you months of work and carrying costs.

Who buys houses for cash in Pittsburgh PA?

We Buy Property, led by Mark Schinzel, is a local Pittsburgh cash home buyer. We have purchased hundreds of homes across Allegheny, Washington, Beaver, Westmoreland, Butler, and Armstrong counties. Call (412) 424-6412 for a same-day cash offer.

Selling a House With Code Violations in Pittsburgh (BBI Explained)

Code violations are one of the most common reasons Pittsburgh homeowners contact us. Whether you’ve received a letter from the Bureau of Building Inspection (BBI), discovered violations during a sale attempt, or inherited a property with outstanding citations — code violations don’t have to mean the end of your ability to sell. But they do require understanding what they mean and how to handle them.

What Is the Bureau of Building Inspection (BBI)?

Pittsburgh’s Bureau of Building Inspection is the city agency responsible for enforcing the Pittsburgh Building Code and Housing Maintenance Code. BBI inspectors respond to complaints from neighbors, conduct proactive inspections in certain programs, and investigate properties reported as unsafe, blighted, or in violation of code standards.

BBI jurisdiction covers properties within the City of Pittsburgh itself. For properties in Allegheny County municipalities outside the city — Braddock, McKeesport, West Mifflin, Bethel Park, etc. — the equivalent enforcement is done by that municipality’s own code enforcement office, not BBI. The processes are similar but the specific codes and procedures vary.

Common BBI Violations That Affect Pittsburgh Sellers

BBI violations range from minor aesthetic issues to serious structural and safety problems. The most common violations we encounter in properties we purchase:

Exterior deterioration: Peeling paint on exterior wood, damaged siding, failing fascia and soffit, deteriorating porch structures
Roofing: Missing or damaged shingles, failing gutters, visible roof structure damage
Foundation: Visible cracks, bowing walls, water intrusion evidence
Window/door violations: Broken windows (a major violation in vacant properties — allows water/pest entry), inoperable doors, missing glazing
Electrical: Exposed wiring, missing cover plates, inadequate service panels for occupancy load
Plumbing: Non-functioning fixtures, inadequate hot water, sewage system issues
Structural: Sagging floors, failing stairs, inadequate fire separation in multi-unit properties
Vacant property violations: Unsecured openings, overgrown vegetation, exterior blight citations

The BBI Citation and Violation Process

When BBI identifies a violation, they typically issue a Notice of Violation giving the property owner a deadline to correct the problem — usually 30-90 days depending on severity. If corrections aren’t made by the deadline, BBI can:

Issue a citation (fine)
Issue a Certificate of Occupancy hold (prevents new occupancy)
Issue a Condemnation Order (declares property uninhabitable and requires vacation)
Refer for emergency demolition in cases of imminent danger

Fines accumulate over time if violations aren’t addressed. Outstanding fines and fees can become liens on the property, which must be paid at closing when you sell.

Does a BBI Violation Prevent You From Selling?

No — BBI violations don’t automatically prevent a sale. But they significantly affect your buyer pool. Buyers using FHA, VA, or conventional financing will have their loans rejected if a required appraisal flags habitability concerns related to BBI violations. Their lenders won’t fund loans on properties with active code violations or condemnation orders.

Cash buyers are the primary market for properties with active BBI violations. We purchase properties with outstanding citations, condemnation orders, and structural issues regularly. The violation status is disclosed, we account for remediation costs in our offer, and we close without lender involvement.

Outstanding Violations at Closing: What Happens

When you sell a Pittsburgh property with outstanding BBI violations, those violations transfer with the property to the new owner. The buyer inherits the obligation to correct the violations. Any fines or fees that have become liens must be paid at closing from proceeds (the title search will identify these).

We Buy Property purchases properties with outstanding BBI citations and takes on the responsibility for correction. You don’t need to fix anything before we buy — that’s the point of buying as-is.

What About a Condemned Property?

A BBI condemnation order means the property has been officially declared uninhabitable. If the property is condemned, occupants must vacate. However, the owner can still sell a condemned property — they just can’t legally have anyone living in it during the sale process.

We regularly purchase condemned properties in Pittsburgh. The condemnation affects value (it signals significant issues and restricts use), but it doesn’t prevent a sale. In some cases, a condemned property can be rehabilitated and the condemnation lifted; in others, demolition is the economic choice.

Frequently Asked Questions: Code Violations and Selling

Will BBI violations show up in a title search?

Outstanding BBI fines that have become liens will show in the title search. Active violations that haven’t yet been reduced to judgment liens may not appear on title — but they follow the property. Buyers doing due diligence can search BBI records directly at pittsburghpa.gov. We check BBI status as part of our property evaluation.

Can I sell a Pittsburgh property with an active demolition order?

If the city has issued a demolition order, the timeline is urgent. Once demolition is completed by the city, the property is gone. Sell before the demolition date if at all possible — you’ll receive proceeds that can be used to satisfy any city liens (including demolition costs, which become liens). Contact us immediately if you’re in this situation.

I don’t live in Pittsburgh city — does BBI apply to my property?

No. BBI only applies to properties within Pittsburgh city limits. Properties in Allegheny County municipalities (Braddock, McKeesport, Bethel Park, etc.) fall under those municipalities’ code enforcement offices. The violation process is similar but administered locally. We work with properties under any municipal code enforcement in our service area.

If you own a Pittsburgh property with code violations and want a cash offer, visit our repairs/condition situation page or request a no-obligation offer. We buy code violation properties throughout the Pittsburgh area. 73+ Google Reviews. (412) 424-6412.