Pittsburgh Condo FAQ
Straight answers to the questions Pittsburgh-area condo buyers and sellers ask most, from the My Pittsburgh Condo team at The EZ Home Network, Keller Williams Steel City. Market figures come from West Penn MLS closed condo and HOA townhome sales in the 30 areas our community pages cover (12 months ending October 2026). Questions about a specific building? Call (724) 933-8500.
Buying a Condo in Pittsburgh
How much does a condo cost in the Pittsburgh area?
Across the areas we track, 1,052 condos and HOA townhomes sold through the West Penn MLS in the 12 months ending October 2026, at a median price of about $324,000. Prices vary a lot by area: the median was about $209,000 in Bethel Park, $240,000 in Monroeville, $306,000 in Shadyside, $351,000 in Cranberry Township, $382,000 in Downtown Pittsburgh and $725,000 in Lawrenceville, where most sales were newer construction. Each community page on this site lists recent sale prices for that building.
Which areas have the most condos for sale?
In the last 12 months the most sales were in Cranberry Township, Wexford, Pine and McCandless, Moon Township, Downtown Pittsburgh, Oakland and Shadyside. Gateway Towers and Lumiere Downtown, Amberson Towers in Shadyside, Park Plaza in Oakland and Park Place in Cranberry are among the most active communities. Browse condo communities by area.
What is the difference between a condo and a townhome?
“Condominium” describes how a home is owned, not what it looks like. With a condo you own your unit and share ownership of the common elements, such as the roof, grounds and amenities, through an association. Many townhomes in the Pittsburgh suburbs are owned as condominiums, while others are fee-simple homes in a planned community with an HOA. The ownership type affects your fees, insurance and financing, so we confirm it on every listing.
What should I review before buying a condo?
Review the declaration, bylaws, rules, current budget, reserve information, recent board minutes, the master insurance policy and any pending or planned special assessments. In Pennsylvania, the seller of a resale condo must give you the declaration, bylaws, rules and a resale certificate from the association, and you can cancel the agreement until the certificate is provided and for five days afterward, or until settlement, whichever comes first. Use that window to read the documents carefully.
How can I hear about new condo listings first?
Tell us your budget, areas and must-haves in our free Condo Finder, and we’ll send matching condos and townhomes as they list, including buildings that rarely have units for sale.
Free download: 2027 Pittsburgh Condo Community Guide →
Condo Fees and Associations
How much are condo fees in the Pittsburgh area?
It depends mostly on the type of community. In the last 12 months, median monthly fees reported on MLS sales ran from about $110 to $180 in suburban townhome communities in Pine, Cranberry, Marshall and Robinson, to about $590 to $770 in Shadyside, Downtown and Mount Washington buildings and about $1,000 in Oakland high-rises, where the fee often covers heat, water and building staff. Each community page shows its reported fee range.
What do condo fees usually cover?
It depends on the association. Fees commonly cover exterior maintenance, landscaping, snow removal, insurance on the building and common areas, reserves for future repairs and amenities like pools or fitness rooms. In many high-rises the fee also includes some utilities, a doorman or parking. Always compare what’s included, not just the dollar amount.
What is a special assessment?
A special assessment is a one-time charge the association levies on owners to pay for a major project, such as a roof, facade or elevator repair, when reserves aren’t enough. The Pennsylvania resale certificate must disclose assessments that are due and any capital expenditures the board has approved, so read it closely and ask who pays at settlement.
Can I rent out my condo or have pets?
Rental and pet rules are set by each association’s declaration and rules, and they vary a lot. Some buildings limit rentals, set minimum lease terms or cap the number of rented units, and pet rules range from no pets to size or number limits. We check these rules before you write an offer.
Financing, Taxes and Settlement
Can I use an FHA or VA loan to buy a condo?
Often, yes, but the building matters. FHA and VA loans generally require the condo project to be approved by HUD or the VA, and FHA also allows single-unit approvals in some projects that aren’t on the approved list. Townhomes in planned communities that are not condominiums usually don’t need project approval. Matt Sheffey, our Condo Financing Specialist, can check a building’s status before you make an offer; you can also run the numbers in our condo mortgage calculator.
What is a “warrantable” condo?
A warrantable condo is in a project that meets Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac guidelines, which lenders review for things like owner-occupancy, reserves, insurance, commercial space and pending litigation. Non-warrantable condos can still be financed, usually with a different loan program and a larger down payment. Knowing this early avoids surprises after you’re under contract.
Who do you recommend for condo financing?
Our team works with Matt Sheffey, VP of Sales at Keller Home Loans (NMLS #197990), who has been in mortgage lending since 2006 and is our Condo Financing Specialist. Call Matt at (440) 668-2942 to get pre-approved and have him review the building’s financing requirements, or start with our condo mortgage calculators. You are always free to choose any lender.
How much is the realty transfer tax in Pittsburgh?
Pennsylvania charges a 1% state realty transfer tax, and the municipality and school district add their own. In the City of Pittsburgh the total is 5% (1% state, 3% city and 1% Pittsburgh School District), while many suburban municipalities total 2%, and rates vary by municipality. Buyers and sellers commonly split it, but it is negotiable. See Allegheny County’s realty transfer tax page for local rates.
Do I need my own insurance on a condo?
Yes. The association’s master policy covers the building and common areas, but you’ll need a condo (HO-6) policy for your belongings, liability and, depending on the master policy, interior finishes and improvements. Your lender will also require it. Ask for the master policy so your agent can match coverage to it.
Selling a Condo
How long does it take to sell a condo in the Pittsburgh area?
Across the areas we track, the median condo or townhome that sold in the last 12 months was on the market 36 days. Suburban townhomes often sold faster (about 16 to 35 days in Murrysville, Monroeville, Franklin Park, Cranberry and Bethel Park), while city high-rise units took longer (about 50 to 75 days in Shadyside, Oakland and Downtown).
What do I need to sell my condo?
Request the resale certificate from your association early, since Pennsylvania gives the association 10 days to provide it and your buyer’s five-day review starts when they receive it. Also gather your declaration, bylaws, rules, the association’s contact information, your current fee and recent utility costs, so your sale stays on schedule.
Why sell your condo with My Pittsburgh Condo?
My Pittsburgh Condo is the condo website of Stefanie Weese and The EZ Home Network at Keller Williams Steel City in Wexford. Our community pages track sales, prices and fees for more than 170 Pittsburgh-area condo and townhome communities, so we can price your unit against the right comparable sales. Request a free condo valuation or call (724) 933-8500.
More Free Pittsburgh Condo Guides
Sources: West Penn MLS closed condo and HOA townhome sales (November 2016 to October 2026); Pennsylvania Uniform Condominium Act, 68 Pa.C.S. ยง 3407; Allegheny County Department of Real Estate. Market figures are refreshed periodically. This page is general information, not legal, tax or lending advice.