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Buying Here: Edgewood
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This three-bedroom Tudor in Edgewood is on the market for $160,000. -
Pocket doors separate the living room and the 15- by 12-foot dining room, which has wood wainscoting and a built-in window seat. -
The kitchen features granite countertops, a tile backsplash and stainless-steel appliances. -
The living room features a brick fireplace and horizontal wood beams across the ceiling. -
A mural with blue skies and fluffy clouds fill the 14- by 12-foot ceiling in one of the bedrooms. -
The back patio -
Large second floor bedroom -
Vibrant second floor bathroom -
Stained glass window on staircase landing between first and second floor.
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With its classic Tudor styling and old world character, 104 Oakview Ave. is fairly typical of the older homes in Edgewood.
"I think one of the best things about the house is the woodwork and the architectural features. There is something about having a nice, old house that you can't replicate with newer construction," said homeowner Colin Swaysland, who bought the house with his wife, Rachael, almost two years ago.
Forced to relocate for work, they have put the 1930s house back on the market for $160,000 through Realtor June E. Yonas of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services (412-421-9120 or www.howardhanna.com).
The three-bedroom, 1 1/2-bath home has its original footprint, stained-glass windows, hardwood floors and stained woodwork. Outside, the multiple gables and decorative half-timbering are accented by a contrasting paint job and a wide, welcoming porch. There will be an open house from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.
The 21- by 14-foot living room has as its focal point a hefty brick fireplace with gas logs between two high windows with decorative mullions. Beefy horizontal wood beams run across the ceiling and a large bank of windows on the right side of the room features more decorative mullions.
A pair of pocket doors that work like a charm separate the living room and the 15- by 12-foot dining room, which has wood wainscoting and a built-in window seat. It is painted a bright yellow and has easy access to the 11- by 9-foot kitchen.
The homeowners aren't afraid of bold colors and that's clearly apparent in the bright green kitchen. Although the current owners selected the color scheme, previous owners renovated the space with granite countertops, a tile backsplash and stainless-steel appliances. "We added a freestanding butcher-block cabinet," Mr. Swaysland said.
The appliance package includes a dishwasher and a tall pantry in the efficient workspace. Other improvements include some structural repairs in the basement, he said.
The landing on the staircase has a large stained-glass window with a center floral motif.
A hefty bannister takes you up safely.
Of the three bedrooms on the second floor, one stands out thanks to a beautiful mural added by previous owners. Bright blue skies and fluffy clouds fill the 14- by 12-foot ceiling while a flower-dappled meadow draws the eye toward mountains in the distance.
"It was a nursery for a toddler," Mr. Swaysland said. "It's a Swiss valley. It would be a shame to paint over it."
The master bedroom is 14 by 11 feet with an original decorative fireplace that has an accent mirror and white subway tile surround. A third bedroom measures 11 by 10 feet and is painted sage green.
A full bath is painted a bright apple green and has a stained-glass window, single vanity and a bath/shower combination. A tile-look vinyl floor is both durable and decorative.
Two bonus rooms measuring 15 by 12 feet and 14 by 12 feet are on the third floor. They are carpeted and finished but have no heat source or closets, so they technically cannot be considered bedrooms. A new homeowner could quickly remedy that.
The laundry is in the unfinished basement, which has its original sandstone walls and a gas furnace.
The backyard has a small porch overhang, a retaining wall and a large oak tree that provides shade. A concrete pad runs the length of the house back there and there is no grass. In the front, a retaining wall supports a bed of perennials and a walkway to the back. Of course, if you really want grass, there is plenty of it at nearby Frick Park.
The owners loved the house's proximity to the park and the Regent Square shopping district just a mile away. Parking is on-street.
The property has an assessed value of $75,000 (www2.county.allegheny.pa.us/RealEstate) Over the past three years, 12 properties have sold on Oakview Avenue for prices ranging from $82,500 in July 2012 to $197,500 in March 2012 (www.realstats.net).
| 12TH WARD/LARIMER -LINCOLN | ||
| 2011 | 2012 | |
| SALES | 46 | 61 |
| MEDIAN PRICE | $12,000 | $9,000 |
| HIGHEST PRICE | $63,600 | $150,000 |
| 13TH WARD/HOMEWOOD | ||
| 2011 | 2012 | |
| SALES | 70 | 61 |
| MEDIAN PRICE | $7,954 | $5,000 |
| HIGHEST PRICE | $130,000 | $65,000 |
| 14TH WARD/SQUIRREL HILL | ||
| 2011 | 2012 | |
| SALES | 396 | 430 |
| MEDIAN PRICE | $250,500 | $270,000 |
| HIGHEST PRICE | $2,300,000 | $1,805,163 |
| 15TH WARD/HAZELWOOD | ||
| 2011 | 2012 | |
| SALES | 180 | 189 |
| MEDIAN PRICE | $60,000 | $79,000 |
| HIGHEST PRICE | $238,900 | $318,500 |
| BRADDOCK | ||
| 2011 | 2012 | |
| SALES | 19 | 25 |
| MEDIAN PRICE | $3,500 | $8,000 |
| HIGHEST PRICE | $57,500 | $60,000 |
| BRADDOCK HILLS | ||
| 2011 | 2012 | |
| SALES | 12 | 15 |
| MEDIAN PRICE | $45,000 | $74,900 |
| HIGHEST PRICE | $89,691 | $109,200 |
| EAST PITTSBURGH | ||
| 2011 | 2012 | |
| SALES | 32 | 27 |
| MEDIAN PRICE | $14,500 | $20,000 |
| HIGHEST PRICE | $65,134 | $103,000 |
| EDGEWOOD | ||
| 2011 | 2012 | |
| SALES | 68 | 67 |
| MEDIAN PRICE | $177,500 | $167,500 |
| HIGHEST PRICE | $445,000 | $369,000 |
| NORTH BRADDOCK | ||
| 2011 | 2012 | |
| SALES | 58 | 75 |
| MEDIAN PRICE | $11,200 | $10,000 |
| HIGHEST PRICE | $125,000 | $98,000 |
| RANKIN | ||
| 2011 | 2012 | |
| SALES | 14 | 19 |
| MEDIAN PRICE | $12,000 | $12,000 |
| HIGHEST PRICE | $55,000 | $39,000 |
| SWISSVALE | ||
| 2011 | 2012 | |
| SALES | 138 | 133 |
| MEDIAN PRICE | $57,800 | $72,000 |
| HIGHEST PRICE | $318,000 | $372,000 |
Correction/Clarification: (Published November 6, 2012) The Buying Here feature on Sunday included an incorrect address and misspelled the name of the homeowners. Colin and Rachael Swaysland live at 104 Oakview Ave. in Edgewood.
First Published November 3, 2012 12:00 am
