Habitat for Humanity teams up with Jason Cohen Pittsburgh

A real estate professional based in Pittsburgh, Jason Cohen offers customized real estate consulting services to clients throughout the Pittsburgh area. In the philanthropic sector, Jason Cohen of Jason Cohen Pittsburgh supports the efforts of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh.

Dedicated to advancing the Habitat for Humanity mission of giving everyone a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh offers a broad range of home repair services for homeowners in the region. Through its Critical Home Repair program, the organization helps restore safe and sound living conditions for individuals without the financial means or physical ability to complete the repairs. In some cases, the program may enlist the help of outside contractors for extensive repairs.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh also works closely with veterans and their families, offering home repairs and renovations via the Veteran Build Program. The program consists of many veterans in volunteer roles, creating a sense of community among veterans in the area. The organization also offers comprehensive weatherization services in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, designed to save homeowners money by making homes more energy efficient. 

To learn more about home repair services at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh, visit the official website at pittsburghhabitat.org.

NMHC Wins Energy Star Award

An experienced real estate professional, Jason Cohen of Jason Cohen Pittsburgh works with clients, advising them regarding multifamily and other housing investment opportunities. In addition to working with his Pittsburgh clients, Jason Cohen belongs to a number of trade associations, including the National Multifamily Housing Council.

The National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) recently announced that it has received the Partner of the Year - Energy Efficiency Program Delivery Award from Energy Star. The organization was chosen for this award due to its work supporting initiatives that have made America’s apartments more energy efficient, including an effort that provided potential investors with comprehensive data about utility costs. 

This initiative also saw the launch of a new online platform touting various Energy Star tools. Additionally, those who live in apartments participated in a survey that highlighted how they would use energy efficient technologies. In his comments, NMHC CEO and president Doug Bibby expressed gratitude for receiving the award and said the organization will move forward with similar initiatives in the future.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh Sponsors Kids Triathlon

Jason Cohen works as a real estate investor leading Jason Cohen Pittsburgh, a forum for like-minded real estate professionals seeking multifamily investing opportunities. Jason Cohen and his company remain charitable and volunteer their time with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh (HFHGP).

As one of the 2,300 affiliates of Habitat for Humanity, HFHGP seeks to eliminate substandard housing in Allegheny County. Since 1986, the chapter has helped nearly 80 families acquire new housing. HFHGP works in conjunction with volunteers and low-income families to build houses, which the families purchase through no-interest, no-profit mortgages.

One of HFHGP’s fundraising events is its Kids Triathlon. The competition is HFHGP's main moneymaking event, raising more than $750,000 since it began more than 15 years ago. 

In addition to raising money, the triathlon provides children with a productive way to spend their time during the summer. The South Park Race for children ages 7 through 12 took place July 23, 2016, with the North Park Race occurring August 6, 2016. Jane Maurer and Tabari Morgan were the top fundraisers, bringing in a combined total of more than $1,200.

Get a Real Estate Agent!

It can be complicated to get a purchased closed in the current market; it has changed dramatically from just a few years ago.  Buyers face more hurdles than ever, including stricter financing, low housing supplies, higher mortgage rates and rising prices.  To negotiate these challenges, you need to find a real estate sales professional who will help you close the deal.  A good real estate professional understands current market conditions, and has house-by-house neighborhood experience that will help you to obtain the right home at the best possible terms.

Your agent will also be able to help you find a home quickly.  Not only do real estate agents have access to the local multiple listing service, they and their colleagues share an extensive knowledge of homes coming onto the market.  Your real estate professional will tell others about your home requirements, so that they’ll also be looking for good homes for you.  Networking actually serves as one of the biggest advantages of the industry.  Many homes are bought and sold without any ads in the newspaper or signs in the front yard.  Yet for buyers to be shown the latest homes on the market there needs to be a strong relationship between buyer and real estate professional.  

If you want to be a buyer who's in the position to make the first and best offers, then make sure your agent knows how committed you are.  Some ways to do this include getting prequalified with a lender, working with only one agent and not shopping for homes without your agent.  Real estate professionals mostly work off commission, so be loyal; in return, they’ll tell you about any exceptional deals before anybody else.  Don’t try to play agents off of each other; agents tend to talk, and they’ll be quick to find out that they’re working for the same buyer.

The work really starts once you find the house that you want.  You’ll need to navigate negotiations, loan approval, seller’s disclosures, inspections and countless other hoops.  Yet from helping you to make a reasonable offer to providing for the discovery and disclosure of material facts, your agent can protect your interests.  Agents are skilled negotiators and problem solvers, who can also anticipate problems before they happen.  Your agent will share your risk, and make sure that you go into any home purchase fully prepared.  So take advantage of what could be the greatest homebuying resource around!

The Lease

A lease is the written legal agreement between a tenant and landlord, property manager, or property owner. Be careful when dealing with any legal document, as they represent binding terms. Certain information is necessary within the contents of the lease document, but sections can be tailored to match your (the landlord’s) specific preferences and that of the property. At Jason Cohen Pittsburgh, we know the importance of this document and cannot stress it enough. It is the basis for what youyou’re your tenant expect from one another. The Internet houses an abundance of sample leases, which you can use either as guides to write a tailored lease. A lawyer can also draw up a lease for a nominal fee.

The required sections of a lease are:

• The parties involved
• Property location
• Lease term
• Rental amount
• Acknowledgment or signature

The first section, parties involved, is simply a clarification of the names of the tenant and the landlord.  The property location should be listed in as detailed a description as possible. Include the unit number with the street address. The lease term should include the date that the tenant can take possession of the property and when she/he will have to vacate or renew the lease. The rental amount can be listed as a weekly, monthly, or annual fee — monthly is most common. Lastly, the lease must be signed by the tenant and the landlord, property manager, or property owner to be valid.

Within the section of the lease including the rental amount, it is advisable to detail additional terms. The deposit amount should be clearly stated in this section. The circumstances in which the deposit can be used can be explained in a separate section. The late payment policy can be included with the rental amount, or it could have its own addendum. The latter is more common.

Although a pet policy is not a necessary section in the lease, at Jason Cohen Pittsburgh, we advise you to include it in as much detail as possible. If an additional deposit is required for pets, describe it in this section. If pets are allowed, detail the types and sizes of the allowed and restricted pets. Consider all types of pets — from mice and hamsters to cats and dogs. Even take into account exotic pets, such as lizards and monkeys — you never know what you’ll encounter renting out a property. While many people do not consider fish a problem when it comes to rental unit, the size of aquarium should be limited to what the floor can support. Research the types of pets that residents may have before writing this section to be sure to cover all situations. Of course, the pet policy can be a simple “no pets allowed, ” but you may find the tenant pool shrinks with this strict rule. 

Sometimes a tenant will allow friends or family to visit or stay for an extended period. You can choose to include a section limiting the time that a guest can stay. Fifteen days is a common term for a guest. Detail the circumstances in which this can be allowed. For instance, a tenant caring for an ailing mother in the apartment can be viewed differently than a friend crashing on the couch for six months. Punishments for breaching this rule can either be listed in this section or in a section allotted to breach of contract for any reason. 

The words written in a lease agreement can be as important as the tenant’s signature. Including the mandatory parts of a contract make the agreement legal. Adding additional sections tailored to the property and your preferences will minimize issues later on in the renting process. 

Renting to College Students: Jason Cohen Pittsburgh’s Advice

College students are a huge rental market for real estate investors. Students are seeking short-term residences that offer location as the top amenity. They, or their parents, are generally willing to pay a bit more for proximity to the school, and they’re seldom looking for luxury living. College town rentals are typically seen as price-per-room, so the overall monthly income generated from each property is greater than renting to a single family.  

However, there are risks and rewards when renting to college students. From our years of renting to college students, we at Jason Cohen Pittsburgh have compiled the following list of smart strategies.

Require a co-signer

Most college students don’t have the credit history to run a credit check. And, many of them won’t actually be the ones responsible for payment. Sure, the check may be in their names, but the money will often be coming from the parents. Require mom, dad, or both to co-sign a college student’s lease.

Make the tenant responsible for utilities

For the majority of college students, this will be their first apartment. They may not realize just how much it costs to leave all the lights on in the house all night, or the air conditioner running while they’re at class. Having your tenants put utilities in their names puts the burden on them. Don’t get hit with huge bills because your renters don’t know how to manage them.

Include strange rules

In few places outside of college towns does one need to stipulate that couches do not belong on porches. It’s not the aesthetic — it’s the chance for burning when festive revelers light things on fire after a sports victory. You may need certain regulations that are not necessary outside of college life. You may have to forbid climbing onto the roof.

Keep the property in good shape

Students and their parents will not tolerate slumlords any longer. They’re willing to pay more these days for better. Maintain the property and you will reap the rewards. You don’t need to go overboard though. Students often still have meal plans and are seldom gourmet chefs, so high-end kitchens are likely not necessary.

Hire a property manager

Several factors make a student house or apartment a high-maintenance endeavor. This is likely their first residence that they will at least have some responsibility to maintain. College students just may not be aware of all the ways that household items can break. They may not know when to “fix” something themselves and when to call for help. They may even be afraid to call the problem in for fear or being penalized. Or they may call too often because they are unaware of what constitutes an actual problem with the property. And, they may be more prone to damaging the home more than an older tenant. Having a property manager dedicated to overseeing the property is a good idea if you don’t have the time to deal with young renters.

Renting a property in a college town can be an extremely profitable investment that you can keep year after year. The rewards can be great, if you know the risks and how to minimize them.  

Jason Cohen Pittsburgh Explains Millennials as Renters

http://jasoncohenpittsburghblog.wordpress.com/2014/01/15/millennials-as-perpetual-renters-what-this-means-for-multifamily-real-estate-investors/

Jason Cohen Pittsburgh's Jason Cohen Pumps $1.5 Million into Pittsburgh

Jason Cohen, Chief Consultant at Jason Cohen Pittsburgh, has completed the reinvestment of proceeds, obtained from a sale on March 28, 2013 in the South Oakland area of Pittsburgh, back into the Pittsburgh economy, with the closing of an 18-unit apartment building on Friday, August 30, 2013 in Regent Square.   At a time when the Pittsburgh real estate market is finally being noticed by the masses, having experienced its first population increase in over three years, this reinvestment only adds fuel to Pittsburgh’s fire.  By utilizing the services of a 1031 exchange qualified intermediary and by choosing to reinvest the proceeds from the sale back into like-kind property (selling multi-family property then buying multi-family property with those funds), Mr. Cohen was able to maximize the amount that he could reinvest back into the local economy.  

When asked about his experience with this process, Mr. Cohen said, “We made a promise to Pittsburgh several months ago, that selling the property in South Oakland was not a sign we were divesting, but rather just the opposite; that we would put that money right back into the Pittsburgh real estate market.” That he did. With today’s closing, Jason Cohen’s reinvestment into Pittsburgh ends up being more than double the amount of the proceeds from the original sale outlined in a press release on April 22, 2013, featured in the Wall Street Journal.

This reinvestment, totaling $1.5 million, afforded Jason Cohen Pittsburgh the opportunity to take part in the acquisition of five more local properties. The acquisitions occurred in some of the most premiere neighborhoods of Pittsburgh. One purchase was a 7-unit property in Shadyside and a 4-unit property in Squirrel Hill, another was a 3-unit property in the South Side, and the last was two properties totaling 18-units in Regent Square. While this is Jason Cohen Pittsburgh’s first delve into the Regent Square area, this purchase already positions Mr. Cohen as one of the largest multi-family owners in Regent Square.

Regent Square is an up and coming area of Pittsburgh and runs through four municipalities: the City of Pittsburgh, Edgewood, Swissvale, and Wilkinsburg. It has a unique shopping district and is comprised mostly of family and independently owned businesses.  While predominantly smaller multi-family properties exist in this neighborhood (6 units and below), Jason Cohen was able to combine two of the larger properties in the highly sought after Braddock Avenue section of Regent Square.

Shadyside and Squirrel Hill are also ideal locations for living. Shadyside is home to many upscale stores, boutiques and businesses located along three corridors: Walnut Street, Ellsworth Avenue and South Highland Avenue.  The majority of Squirrel Hill's business areas are located along Forbes and Murray Avenues. In addition to these, there are a number of longtime, non-profit organizations in the area and many annual events are hosted in Squirrel Hill by various community organizations.  The South Side of Pittsburgh is also a model place to reside offering plenty to explore along bustling East Carson Street, and plenty of green spaces to enjoy (South Side Park, South Side Riverfront Park, Armstrong Playground, Ormsby Recreation Center).

Jason Cohen Pittsburgh is one of the largest and most rapidly growing small to mid-size multifamily investors in specific Pittsburgh markets, with the first commercial property being acquired in 2004. The company is a consulting forum for Jason Cohen and others to unite and package together specific real estate strategies tailored to the unique financial situation and goals of each client. Jason Cohen Pittsburgh represents, and has provided, real estate consulting services to everyone from private citizens to seasoned investors and real estate professionals. Cohen’s group is set apart by the customized process designed exclusively for each client to succeed in their real estate activities.

Jason Cohen Pittsburgh's Jason Cohen and Team Give Back to Habitat for Humanity

On August 8, 2013, Jason Cohen Pittsburgh worked together, alongside Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh, on rehabbing a home in the Sharpsburg area of town for a family of 7, from Burundi, who had been recently displaced by war.

The home, built in the early 1900s, was sold to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh at a very low cost from a Sharpsburg police officer. It was purchased specifically for this family in need and offers 5 bedrooms in order to accommodate everyone in the family. The majority of the renovations consisted of minor demolition, updating electricity and plumbing, and bringing things up to code.

This project is being funded by the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh and various church groups within the Diocese have raised money for the renovations to this home. The Archbishop blessed the home as well. The Fox Chapel School District also holds fundraisers throughout the year, with proceeds benefitting Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh, and for this particular home.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh was established in Pittsburgh in 1986, and their belief is that “all God’s people deserve a simple, decent place to live.” It is through this belief that they have been able to help 73 low-income families with affordable housing. In order to qualify for housing through Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh, a family must first meet certain income criteria, and fill out an application and necessary paperwork. Next, a committee must accept or deny the application.

If accepted, family members begin earning “Sweat Equity” by working 350 hours of labor at house construction sites. After 50 hours of working on another family’s house or at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh’s ReStore, which sells reusable donated house building and home improvement materials to the public, a site is chosen for their home. Next, an army of enthusiastic volunteers works side-by-side with the family to build the house, which will become their home. This construction experience helps families learn to maintain their new home and fosters a sense of pride, accomplishment, and responsibility to their community. The home is then purchased by the family through a no-profit, no-interest mortgage. This entire process typically takes about a year to complete, from start to finish.

Jason Cohen Pittsburgh has had a relationship with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh for approximately 3 years now, working on several projects a year. In fact, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh is the only charitable organization who can do roof repairs, and that is due to its relationship with Jason Cohen Pittsburgh.

Jason Cohen is the Chief Consultant of Jason Cohen Pittsburgh, one of the largest and most rapidly growing small to mid-size multifamily investors in specific Pittsburgh markets, with the first commercial property being acquired in 2004. Jason Cohen Pittsburgh is a consulting forum for Jason Cohen and others to unite and package together specific real estate strategies tailored to the unique financial situation and goals of each client. Jason Cohen Pittsburgh represents and has provided real estate consulting services for private citizens, from doctors, teachers, and single parents to the seasoned investor and real estate professional. Jason Cohen Pittsburgh also offers extensive services to small- and large-cap businesses. Cohen’s group is set apart by the customized process designed exclusively for each client to succeed in their real estate activities.

Jason Cohen Pittsburgh in The Pittsburgh Business Times

Jason Cohen Pittsburgh in the Pittsburgh Business Times for First Place Standings in the Small Category of the Social Madness Challenge where companies go head to head to compete for bragging rights as the Best Social Media Company in the Nation and the winner will get $10,000 for their designated charity. 

Jason Cohen Pittsburgh's Charity is Habitat for Humanity.  Vote for your favorite Company here http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/socialmadness

Jason Cohen Pittsburgh Launches First Podcast

http://jasoncohenpittsburgh.podomatic.com/entry/2013-05-24T13_44_07-07_00

Jason Cohen Pittsburgh Launches its first of many podcasts.

Jason Cohen Pittsburgh Chief Real Estate Consultant Jason Cohen Featured in Today's Daily Herald

http://finance.dailyherald.com/dailyherald/news/read/24107901/Jason_Cohen_Pittsburgh_

Jason Cohen Pittsburgh, Chief Real Estate Consultant Jason Cohen and his team was Featured today in the Daily Herald for just completing a complete turnaround of what was a dilapidated and over occupied building in the highly desirable Southside area of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Learn more about Jason Cohen and his group's work in the article. Click Here.

Top Ten Real Estate Investing Tips by Jason Cohen of Jason Cohen Pittsburgh

Jason Cohen of Jason Cohen Pittsburgh publishes his Top Ten Real Estate Investing Tips on Squidoo.


http://www.squidoo.com/jason-cohen-pittsburgh-chief-consultant-jason-cohens-top-10-tips-in-real-estate

Jason Cohen Pittsburgh: Chief Consultant Jason Cohen Takes Real Estate Home Flips to a New Level by Flipping a Community in Bethel Park near Pittsburgh, PA.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/4/prweb10646386.htm


A recent article by Donna Fuscaldo bursts, for many, what is clearly a real estate bubble. What is seen on “Flip this House” and similar shows with recent traction might seem like an opportunity for a quick buck, but as a FoxBusiness report notes (at http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2013/04/03/tips-for-making-money-off-your-first-house-flip/), according to Eric Dale, CEO of the National Fix & Flip Network, "People get in the market thinking it’s a great way to make money, and that’s not the case,” 

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (PRWEB) April 23, 2013

The article presses to its readers that flipping houses is certainly not as casual as TV suggests. However, the promoted approaches with “flippable” real estate have garnered the attention of Jason Cohen, Chief Consultant at Jason Cohen Pittsburgh http://www.jasoncohenpittsburgh.com.

Cohen knows too well about the FoxBusiness article’s claims, as he has newly wrapped up flipping an entire community of condominium units, just one of his many recent projects. Within two years of acquiring an entire community in foreclosure, Cohen bought, renovated, and sold all twenty-two individual units at what most in the industry would consider neck-breaking speed. “While past experience flipping houses is a must, a tough skin is probably the key ingredient,” he explains. “What we did in Bethel Park [in Pittsburgh], I hadn’t seen before. We took a dilapidated street in an otherwise beautiful neighborhood, an obvious eyesore, and transformed it completely in a matter of months. Each one of the 22 units presented unique problems, but the experience of having flipped houses several times prior allowed us to be well prepared for all that came our way.”

Cohen is currently working on flipping another similarly sized community in the highly sought after Southside neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is profitable conclusions and informed decisions that allow him to prolong successful investing and maintain the ability to assist others in similar and smaller endeavors.

Jason Cohen Pittsburgh at http://www.jasoncohenpittsburgh.com is a forum for Cohen to provide his expertise to those that have decided to jump on the real estate-flipping bandwagon. He has recently responded to the FoxBusiness report with a new statement to the press, in which he explains just how flipping a house can be a risky gamble for the rookies in the business: “These TV shows have certainly fueled the entrepreneurial passion within us all.” Cohen continues, “However, when the cameras shut down and the glitz and glamour fade away, you could just be left with a financial horror reality show. While in theory it sounds easy enough: buy low, renovate, sell high, it never really does turn out that smoothly."

Purchasing real estate of any class can be the most significant investment one will make in their lifetime. Before making such a principal decision, it is important for buyers and investors to understand, minimally, the general business of real estate or be represented by someone who does. According to Cohen, Jason Cohen Pittsburgh was created for just that purpose. “I've seen too many come and go in this business,” he explains. “I learned through trial and error, and why not save people from similar war wounds by letting them build on what we know?” Cohen reflects that Jason Cohen Pittsburgh is a resource he could have only dreamed of when he launched his career.

Cohen also states that since real estate investment is not a business for the inexperienced, professional consultation can save someone from having to risk everything on the “little-known”. “It's not just about buying real estate for sale,” Cohen explains. “You really do have to know a little bit about everything: property valuation, acquisitions, contract negotiations, due diligence, financing, title work, and closing. Why not have a real estate consultant to navigate such a treacherous ride?”

Imagine someone buying PA real estate at a foreclosure only to discover that the person foreclosing on the property was the second mortgage holder. The day after they thought they had just won a home for a great price, they get a call from the bank holding the first mortgage stating that they will also foreclose unless they are paid $100,000. “It’s happened before, and could have been prevented with doing a quick online search for relevant consulting, had you been give that advice. Isn't avoiding that type of debt worth the cost of some professional consultation? These debts can outweigh the cost of a consultation tremendously. Don't go at it alone, and if you do, be sure to have seriously done your homework,” says Cohen. “It's just not worth it. One little mistake can truly ruin your financial life, and that is just never talked about on ‘Flip This House’ or those other shows.”

According to Cohen, Jason Cohen Pittsburgh offers services that can help first time buyers or the savvy real estate investor. “We don't have a secret list of real estate for sale or any get-rich-quick ideas,” he explains, “but we can provide some rationale and professional advice that comes from the unsurpassed combination of education and experience.”

ABOUT:
Jason Cohen is the Chief Consultant of Jason Cohen Pittsburgh, one of the largest and most rapidly growing small to mid-size multifamily investors in specific Pittsburgh markets, with the first commercial property being acquired in 2004. Jason Cohen Pittsburgh is a consulting forum for Jason Cohen and others to unite and package together specific real estate strategies tailored to the unique financial situation and goals of each client. Jason Cohen Pittsburgh represents and has provided real estate consulting services for private citizens, from doctors, teachers, and single parents to the seasoned investor and real estate professional. Jason Cohen Pittsburgh also offers extensive services to small- and large-cap businesses. Cohen’s group is set apart by the customized process designed exclusively for each client to succeed in their real estate activities.Prweb Article

Jason Cohen Pittsburgh - a Real Estate Consultant

Known to his friends and his colleagues as a leader among leaders, Jason Cohen assumed the position of entrepreneur after a stint with the corporate world left him feeling uneasy. In his role as the leader of the Pittsburgh multi-family acquisition scene, Jason Cohen has been the leading force behind Jason Cohen Pittsburgh, but also the de facto spokesman for the industry as a whole.

Cohen’s work at Jason Cohen Pittsburgh is fueled by both his extensive managerial experience, and his passion for the industry itself. Cohen is committed to the idea that individuals and real estate firms alike should have a say in how they are represented—and a set of resources for combating those that take advantage of others with lack of knowledge or experience and other acts of betrayal. Says Cohen, “In this where is mine, era, it is a good and necessary service to give people and companies control over a real estate transaction by feeding them experience based knowledge that others either fail or deliberately choose to leave out.”

His success as Jason Cohen Pittsburgh comes on the back of a lifetime of experience as a top-tier manager. Cohen with the Jason Cohen Pittsburgh team has over 10 years of management experience in the Real Estate Industry. His most public acts of managerial service and Real Estate experience came during his complete transformation of a run down, dilapidated town house community in the heart of Bethel Park. In true Flip This House mentality, Jason Cohen became the face of Real Estate transformations in Pittsburgh, With his tireless work ethic, organization skills, and leadership, Cohen  has proven himself to be a manager and business executive utterly without peer.

Cohen continued to show his first-rate management abilities through his 8 year stint managing over 6 Real Estate Firms transforming from barely breaking even endavours to strong cash flow performing entities. Cohen  then went on to lend his Real Estate expertise to Habitat for Humanity, based out of Pittsburgh, by giving them the necessary tools and resources to allow them to tout being one of the only Western Charity offering.Roof Repair.

Ultimately, Jason Cohen is famous for keeping Jason Cohen Pittsburgh at the top of the industry, both in terms of best-in-class ideas and the most advanced acquisition strategies in the business. For Cohen, the chance to bring fairness and control to a buyer in the Pittsburgh Real Estate industry is ample reward, in and of itself