Why Investing Out-of-State Might Be the Smartest Move You Make—And Why Scranton, PA Should Be on Your Radar

Written by Revolve Real Estate | Investment-Focused Brokerage in Northeast PA

For many first-time investors, the instinct is to stick close to home. It feels familiar. It feels safe.

But here’s the truth: the best real estate deals don’t always exist in your own backyard.

Sometimes, the smartest way to hit your financial goals faster is to go where the numbers work—even if that means investing in a market you’ve never lived in.

At Revolve Real Estate, we specialize in helping both local and out-of-state investors build strong rental portfolios in one of the most underestimated, high-return markets in the U.S.: Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Here’s why it’s time to zoom out and think bigger.

💡 Why Out-of-State Investing Makes Sense

Real estate is one of the most powerful wealth-building tools available—but limiting yourself to overpriced, oversaturated, or low-yield local markets can slow your progress. Expanding into other cities opens the door to:

✅ Higher cash flow
✅ Lower property prices
✅ Less competition
✅ Landlord-friendly laws
✅ Better rent-to-value ratios
✅ Access to turnkey inventory or rehab-friendly homes

By diversifying your portfolio geographically, you reduce risk, create more stability, and gain flexibility that most local-only investors never achieve.

But where you choose to go matters. Which brings us to...

📍 Why Scranton, PA Checks All the Boxes

Scranton is a classic American comeback story. Once a post-industrial underdog, it's now thriving as a secondary market with growing demand, affordable homes, and investor-friendly fundamentals.

Here’s why investors are loving Scranton:

💰 Affordable Entry Point

• Median home price: ~$158,000 (Redfin, Q1 2025)

• Lower upfront costs mean better cash-on-cash returns and lower risk.

📈 Strong Rent-to-Price Ratios

• 2–3 bed units commonly rent for $1,100–$1,600/month (Zumper).

• Properties routinely hit 6–10% cap rates, even without major renovations.

🚀 Economic Growth & Job Creation

• Major expansions in industrial parks, healthcare, and logistics hubs (including Amazon and Geisinger Health).

• Over 3,000 new jobs added in 2024 alone (BLS).

🏢 Landlord-Friendly Laws

• No rent control

• Fast, court-driven eviction process

• Low property taxes compared to high-cost states

🌍 Lower Competition

Scranton flies under the radar compared to flashier metros. That means less bidding war pressure, more negotiating power, and better deals for smart investors.

👀 What to Look For in an Out-of-State Market

When evaluating a new market, ask yourself:

• Does it offer strong cash flow and potential for appreciation?

• Are there jobs, infrastructure, and population growth to support demand?

• Are local laws friendly to landlords and short/long-term investors?

• Can I find a trusted team on the ground to support my purchase?

Scranton passes all of the above—with flying colors. And Revolve Real Estate is the local partner who can help you confidently navigate it.

🎯 Final Word: You Don’t Need Familiar—You Need Profitable

Out-of-state investing isn’t about gambling on places you don’t understand. It’s about expanding your lens, thinking strategically, and getting help from local experts who live and breathe the market every day.

Scranton, PA may not be where you live—but it might just be where your next five rental properties live.

📲 Let’s connect. We’ll help you identify smart properties, crunch the numbers, and build a profitable out-of-state portfolio—starting with your very first deal.

Revolve Real Estate
Helping local & out-of-state investors win in Northeast Pennsylvania
📍 Scranton-Based | 💼 Investor-Focused | 🔍 Data-Driven Deals
🌐 revolvepa.com | 📱 @revolvepa