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Buying Here: Washington
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This two-story Colonial home at 709 N. Franklin St. in Washington, Pa., is on the market for $139,000. -
The living room in this two-story Colonial in Washington has a hardwood floor. The decorative fireplace has an original tile surround and hearth topped by a beautiful Craftsman-style wood mantel. -
Dark-stained French doors connect the dining room and the living room. -
The kitchen has cherry wood cabinets and laminate counter tops. To the left is the breakfast nook. -
The view of the backyard from the deck.
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Will Julie Graham get to sell the same house three times? From the looks of 709 N. Franklin St. and its price, probably.
The two-story Colonial in Washington, Pa. (MLS No. 925748), has three bedrooms, one full bathroom and is priced at $139,000 by Ms. Graham of Keller Williams Realty (724-350-5543 or www.kw.com).
The property was in foreclosure when Ms. Graham sold it to a couple who were veteran rehabbers in Washington County.
"They had done several houses over the years, but this was one of my favorites," Ms. Graham said. "I think the nice thing is that it's unspoiled. ... This one had everything there and it was untouched. It had a lot of old character."
The previous owners refinshed woodwork, including tall baseboards, crown molding and hardwood floors. They also updated the kitchen and bathroom.
PG graphic: Buying Here: Washington
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"It was our first home and it was move-in ready," said Megan VanFossan, who bought the house through Ms. Graham in 2005.
"They re-did everything. It was gorgeous, hand-rubbed wood everywhere."
Entering from the columned, covered front porch, visitors come first to the 23- by 14-foot living room, which has high ceilings and tall windows. The decorative fireplace's tile surround and hearth are original and topped by a beautiful Craftsman-style wood mantel. An arched opening at one end of the room leads to a small room that is just the right size for a desk and home office.
A pair of dark-stained French doors lead to the 14-by-13 foot dining room, which is connected to the 12- by 9-foot kitchen by a swinging door.
"The kitchen is like a galley kitchen and they used the space really well," Ms. Graham said. "It's got a lot of windows in it so there's lots of light."
The kitchen cabinets are made of cherry wood and the counter tops are laminate. At one end of the kitchen is a hook-up for a wall-mounted television. Over the kitchen sink are two large windows offering views of the backyard and surrounding area.
For that morning cup of coffee, a separate breakfast nook off the kitchen is bright and sunny with neutral patterned vinyl flooring and sliding doors to the back deck. The kitchen features the same hardwood floors as the rest of the house, stripped and refinished in 2005.
Upstairs are three bedrooms measuring 13 by 13 feet, 13 by 11 feet and 11 by 11 feet. The house's only bathroom was updated in 2004 with a shower/bathtub combination, vanity, sink and toilet.
The one-car garage, built into the lower level of the house, is accessible from an alley that runs behind the house. This is a dead end so there is no worry about traffic.
"Everyone around are professional and it's just a nice friendly neighborhood," Ms. VanFossan said.
The roof is covered with asphalt shingles and the siding is aluminum. There is central air conditioning along with electric forced-air heat.
The stainless-steel appliances are not included in the sale.
The property has an assessment of $8,650 (www.co.washington.pa.us). Over the past three years, seven properties have sold on North Franklin Street for prices ranging from $10,000 in June 2009 to $159,900 in March 2012 (www.realstats.net).
The house is a short walk from the Washington & Jefferson College campus and a 35-minute drive to Downtown Pittsburgh via I-79. It's about 5 miles to the Tanger Outlets, Crown Center Mall and Meadows Racetrack & Casino. Ms. VanFossan noted that it's also close to the many stores and restaurants in Trinity Point shopping center.
"I love the location," she said.
SALES SNAPSHOT
CANONSBURG | ||
2011 | 2012 | |
SALES | 118 | 163 |
MEDIAN PRICE | $100,000 | $112,500 |
HIGHEST PRICE | $329,900 | $264,299 |
CECIL | ||
2011 | 2012 | |
SALES | 210 | 328 |
MEDIAN PRICE | $186,500 | $225,241 |
HIGHEST PRICE | $715,000 | $900,000 |
CHARTIERS TOWNSHIP | ||
2011 | 2012 | |
SALES | 82 | 118 |
MEDIAN PRICE | 185,000 | $173,000 |
HIGHEST PRICE | $440,000 | $500,000 |
HOUSTON | ||
2011 | 2012 | |
SALES | 12 | 17 |
MEDIAN PRICE | $105,000 | $79,900 |
HIGHEST PRICE | $135,000 | $136,900 |
McDONALD | ||
2011 | 2012 | |
SALES | 16 | 23 |
MEDIAN PRICE | $39,706 | $40,000 |
HIGHEST PRICE | $220,000 | $250,000 |
NOTTINGHAM | ||
2011 | 2012 | |
SALES | 31 | 39 |
MEDIAN PRICE | $271,500 | $257,500 |
HIGHEST PRICE | $490,000 | $490,000 |
PETERS | ||
2011 | 2012 | |
SALES | 369 | 484 |
MEDIAN PRICE | $341,341 | $335,900 |
HIGHEST PRICE | $1,025,000 | $1,500,000 |
NORTH STRABANE | ||
2011 | 2012 | |
SALES | 296 | 422 |
MEDIAN PRICE | $200,000 | $208,900 |
HIGHEST PRICE | $1,125,000 | $1,125,000 |
SOUTH STRABANE | ||
2011 | 2012 | |
SALES | 130 | 173 |
MEDIAN PRICE | $165,000 | $182,000 |
HIGHEST PRICE | $630,000 | $558,000 |
WASHINGTON | ||
2011 | 2012 | |
SALES | 161 | 222 |
MEDIAN PRICE | $34,000 | $50,000 |
HIGHEST PRICE | $230,000 | $338,000 |
EAST WASHINGTON | ||
2011 | 2012 | |
SALES | 12 | 27 |
MEDIAN PRICE | $175,000 | $142,500 |
HIGHEST PRICE | $404,605 | $355,500 |
First Published March 23, 2013 12:00 am
