Pennsylvania
I’m a Real Estate Investor: Here’s Why I’m Eyeing Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in 2025
As home values continue to rise around the United States, real estate investing continues to grow in popularity. Even though significant risk is involved, it allows investors to diversify their investment portfolios and potentially revitalize an area they’ve grown to love.
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As we approach the fourth quarter of 2024, it’s time to start looking ahead to what 2025 could bring for real estate investors. Because of the upcoming presidential election and some uncertainty about what the Federal Reserve will do with interest rates, there are mixed opinions on what’s to come in 2025.
In a June forecast, CoreLogic believed average home prices across the United States will grow by 3.4% through April 2025. However, Zillow isn’t quite as optimistic, expecting prices to decrease by 1.4% through May 2025.
Even though the real estate market is uncertain, investors will still proceed with upcoming projects. I spoke with a real estate professional who is very optimistic about the future of real estate in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Let’s dig in a little further into why this location may be worth investing in.
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Location, Location, Location
One of the most crucial factors in real estate is location. Whether you’re looking for a home to flip or something to hold onto for the long term and rent out, investing in a property in an area where people want to live is crucial to success.
“Just Google Harrisburg and you’ll see why it’s one of the hottest cities in the U.S. and the best place to live in Pennsylvania,” said Avrom Smith, founder of HAS Holdings LLC. “I believe it’s the best-kept secret in Pennsylvania. We’ve done almost a dozen deals in the last 12 months in Harrisburg, with many more on the horizon. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, is a resurgent city with affordable growth potential.”
A lot goes into finding cities and neighborhoods that check all the boxes. Smith noted that he was attracted to Harrisburg because of its dedication to revitalizing economic growth, making it a city where people want to live.
“Harrisburg has seen significant economic growth in recent years, driven by government, healthcare, education and technology sectors,” Smith said. “This diversification has created a resilient job market and spurred demand for housing.”
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Affordable Housing
Pricing is another significant factor for investors. While money can be made no matter how much the property costs, affordable housing allows for a lower barrier of entry for investors.
“One of Harrisburg’s standout features is its affordability compared to major metropolitan areas on the East Coast,” Smith said. “The median home price in Harrisburg is significantly lower than the national average, making it an attractive market for investors and buyers.”
Right now, Zillow shows the average home value in Harrisburg at $249,086.
However, it’s also important to remember that the investment cost is only a small piece of the puzzle. Making sure the investment is going to be profitable is critical to the success of an investment. This means researching the potential price-to-rent ratio, capitalization rate and expected cash flow.
Close to Major Cities
Many East Coast cities are among the most expensive real estate markets in the United States. While living in these locations might be a must for some people, others want to be somewhere more affordable but within a short distance of the action. That’s where Harrisburg fits the bill.
“Harrisburg’s strategic location offers easy access to major metropolitan areas like Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C., and New York City,” Smith said. “This proximity makes it an attractive option for commuters and businesses, further fueling demand for housing.”
Upgraded Infrastructure
Most people have a visual of where they want to live. It most likely doesn’t include dilapidated buildings and roads filled with potholes. Instead, they want to live somewhere where people care about how it’s perceived. Someplace where developers and government officials care enough to update roads and buildings but also preserve this historic charm. This is what Harrisburg can offer investors and residents.
“The city and state have made substantial investments in infrastructure, including transportation, revitalizing downtown areas, and improving public spaces,” Smith said. “These developments enhance the city’s appeal and contribute to property value appreciation.”
As a real estate investor, there are a lot of things that go into finding the perfect property that will allow you to maximize your potential return. The location will always be a critical factor. Investors want to find a location where property values are attractive, where the city is making necessary infrastructure upgrades to attract homebuyers, and where you’ll have access to other metropolitan areas. This is what makes Harrisburg such an attractive city for Smith.
“Harrisburg is a city that can be overlooked,” Smith said. “The city presents a unique opportunity for real estate investors. With its affordable housing market, revitalized economy, and strategic location, the city offers substantial growth potential and attractive returns on investment.”
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I’m a Real Estate Investor: Here’s Why I’m Eyeing Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in 2025
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania man arrested for allegedly feeding pet parakeet marijuana and beer
A Pennsylvania man was arrested on animal cruelty charges for allegedly feeding marijuana and beer to his pet parakeet after bringing the injured feathered friend to a bar, according to reports.
Timothy Grace, 40, was busted on Feb. 21 after carrying his wounded pet budgie named “Blue Skies” in his pocket to Callaghan’s Bar in Greensburg, according to CBS Pittsburgh.
“The caller’s a bartender. She says there is a white male at the bar with a parakeet,” a dispatcher reported on the police radio transmissions obtained by the outlet.
“The patron was bragging to other people that were inside the bar that he feeds the parakeet marijuana and has it drink beer on a daily basis,” Detective Sergeant Justin Scalzo told the outlet.
Grace “appeared extremely intoxicated” when police showed up to the bar and found the pet bird in distress, according to court documents obtained by the outlet.
“Its leg appeared to be broken,” Scalzo said, according to WTAE. “Its foot was actually facing the wrong direction.”
Grave was initially arrested for public intoxication and now faces charges including aggravated cruelty to animals and transporting animals in a cruel manner, the outlet said.
The pet bird was brought to PEARL Parrot Rescue in the Pittsburgh area, which rushed him to an emergency care facility.
Blue Skies spent four days in the hospital and was later taken in to be fostered by Teri Grendzinski, the president of PEARL. The injured parakeet is still breathing hard, remains on antibiotics, and has to wear a splint on his right leg, CBS reported.
“They realized his leg was broken. He also had some respiratory issues going on,” Grendzinski told the outlet. “He was also very, very skinny.”
“The leg was broken badly enough there is a chance they’re going to have to amputate the leg if it doesn’t heal correctly,” she added.
If Blue Skies is eventually put up for adoption, he will require specialized care, the outlet said.
“When we got that call, it was horrifying. Why would you do that to a bird?” Grendzinski said.
Pennsylvania
Pa. man found guilty of raping teen girl who he took to Mexico
A Pennsylvania man was found guilty of repeatedly raping his daughter’s best friend over a three-year span before fleeing with the teen to Mexico.
On Thursday, March 5, 2026, Kevin Esterly, 53, of Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania, was convicted on all counts of rape, statutory sexual assault, involuntary sexual intercourse and endangering the welfare of children.
Esterly shook his head as the verdict was read but said nothing in the courtroom.
Resources for victims of sexual assault are available through the National Sexual Violence Resources Center and the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 800-656-4673.
Esterly’s trial began on Tuesday, March 3, after a judge denied his pretrial motion for the charges against him to be dismissed and for the Lehigh County District Attorney to be removed as a prosecutor in the case.
Both Esterly and his victim testified on Wednesday, March 4.
The victim — who is now 24-years-old — told the courtroom that she met Esterly and his family while attending church as a child and became best friends with one of his daughters. Esterly was a youth leader and elder at the church at the time. The victim said Esterly also coached her soccer team.
The victim said she became so close to Esterly’s family that she called his wife “mom” and eventually spent almost every weekend at their home in Lowhill Township, Pennsylvania. She also said she vacationed with them in New York state and Ocean City, Maryland.
The victim said Esterly first sexually assaulted her in August 2015 when she was 13-years-old after he gave her alcohol during a family birthday party.
“I was scared. Frozen in fear,” the woman told the courtroom on Wednesday. “I pretended I was sleeping.”
The woman accused Esterly of sexually assaulting her almost every time she slept over at his home. She told the courtroom she eventually became addicted to alcohol and drugs, which Esterly gave her in exchange for sex. According to the woman, Esterly gave her cocaine and methamphetamine to keep her awake during school because she “would be up with him all night.”
The woman said Esterly continued to sexually assault her until he was confronted by his wife in 2017. Esterly’s wife then threw him out of the house, according to the victim. She said Esterly continued to sexually assault her over the next year.
Esterly was later arrested and then sentenced to prison after federal agents found him with the victim in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, in 2018. She was 16-years-old at the time.
The woman said she moved on and went to college after Esterly’s sentencing though she still struggled with drug addiction. She said she sought counseling in February 2025. She told the courtroom she received a message from Esterly on LinkedIn that same month in which he apologized for “failing you as a person I was supposed to be for you.” At that point Esterly had been released from prison.
The woman said she had not told anyone about her relationship with Esterly up to that point and replied to him, “I live with our secret every day as I promised. I would appreciate an apology.”
The woman told the courtroom that Esterly responded by writing, “I hope one day you can forgive me. Nobody knows I reached out to you. That is the best for both of us.”
On Feb. 21, 2025, Allentown Police received a report of Esterly’s sexual assaults which led to the new charges being filed against him. He was arrested in West Virginia in June 2025 after two police pursuits. He was then extradited to Pennsylvania.
The victim told the courtroom on Wednesday that she kept quiet about Esterly’s abuse for years because she “was afraid to speak,” and felt “dirty and ashamed.”
“I wasn’t ready to tell anyone,” she said. “He was a father figure in my life. I loved him.”
The woman also said she didn’t want to hurt Esterly’s daughter who was her best friend.
When the District Attorney asked her why she was “here today,” she replied by saying, “I want to tell the truth. I want to be set free.”
The woman ended her testimony by saying, “I don’t want to live with this secret anymore.”
After her testimony, Esterly took the stand for 45 minutes, denied all of the accusations against him and accused the woman of lying.
Closing arguments then took place Thursday morning. It then took an hour for the jury of seven women and five men to reach their verdict.
Pennsylvania
3 dead in apparent murder-suicide spanning from Pennsylvania to Illinois, police say
Two women are dead in Pennsylvania and a man is dead in Illinois after an apparent murder-suicide, police said on Wednesday.
According to a report from the Pennsylvania State Police, the investigation began in Hillside, Illinois, when police there were dispatched after a man reported two women dead in Jackson Township, Pennsylvania. Police said that when officers got to Hillside, about 15 miles west of Chicago, they found that the man had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
After identifying him, troopers said Hillside officers contacted police from Jackson Township to request a welfare check at the man’s home on Dior Drive, about 30 miles north of Pittsburgh.
Police said officers used forced entry to get into the home and found two women dead from apparent gunshot wounds. It’s believed the two women were family members of the man who died by suicide in Illinois, investigators said.
Pennsylvania State Police said they’ve assumed control of the case and are “actively investigating” what happened surrounding the three deaths.
Police didn’t release any names, saying the process of formal identification and notification of next of kin hasn’t been completed. Sources told KDKA that the victims were a husband, wife and their daughter.
“At this time, investigators believe there is no ongoing threat to the public, and law enforcement is not searching for any additional individuals in connection with this incident,” police wrote in the public information release report. “This remains an active and ongoing investigation.”
State police didn’t release any other details on Wednesday but said more information will be made public when it’s available.
“My first reaction was shocked because this is such a close-knit neighborhood, and to think something that horrible could happen here is very tragic because they were such a good family,” neighbor Danielle Sporer said on Wednesday.
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