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Pittsburgh City Council

Council Reopens Discussion of the Process to Purchase City Property After a Rescinded Sale.

Written by Amy Whipple

  • A resident who purchased a $40,000 house through the City’s Real Estate Division in 2022 requested to rescind the sale and receive a refund of the required 10% earnest money.
  • The purchaser claims the house deteriorated during the sale process.
  • The sale process—which includes a quiet title lawsuit—typically takes 12–18 months but can extend to 24 months.
  • Properties sold by the City are primarily vacant lots acquired through sheriff’s sales.
  • Buyers must be approved by the City, and sales must be approved by Council.
  • Councilmember Coghill expressed concern about the length of the process and the lack of property stabilization.
  • The refund was approved with no next steps proposed.

Connections to this story

Topics:
Housing & Land Use
Governments:
Pittsburgh City Council
Public meetings:
City Council · April 15, 2025

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