An original
One of Castle Shannon’s oldest houses features porch, gingerbread trim and $179,000 price tag
The house at 3191 McRoberts Road in Castle Shannon had just been flipped by another owner when Diane Nath toured it. She didn’t care.
“The doors and frames are all original,” she said. “The pillars in the front of the house are all original pieces.”
Built in 1900, the twostory house near the top of a hill overlooking Route 88 is one of the oldest in Castle Shannon. Ms. Noth enjoyed it for 10 years, but she now has put it on the market for $179,000 (MLS No. 1426498) with Angela Watson of Century 21 American Heritage Realty (www.century21.com or 724-335-4700). It is open by appointment.
The original front porch and some gingerbread trim are still intact. The exterior is covered in vinyl siding.
Inside, 9-foot ceilings add a spacious feel to the 1,800-square-foot home. Ms. Nath added hardwood floors.
The 18-by-15-foot living room features an original built-in storage cabinet. All of the woodwork is painted white, and the walls are a light green.
The 15-by-13-foot dining room has a decorative fireplace with a rich stained wood mantel, granite hearth and original black iron insert. The window trim is all original and features rosette corners.
A updated kitchen measures 15 by 12
feet and has an L-shaped layout, oak cabinets and laminate counter tops. An original pie cabinet has glass-front upper doors, two drawers and lower storage. There is room for an eat-in table in the fresh blue space with white wainscoting.
There are full bathrooms on the first and second floors. Ms. Nath believes the second floor was added later. It contains three bedrooms: a master measuring 18 by 15 feet and two others that both measure 15 by 15 feet. The carpeted master bedroom has an attached full bathroom.
The backyard is one of Ms. Nath’s favorite features.
“We love the huge yard. There is a also a patio that we built,” she said.
The patio has brick pavers and a 48-inch-tall retaining wall. The backyard has lots of room for parties and mature trees for shade and privacy. There is a parking pad that can hold two vehicles and space for two more in front on the street.
The home has forced-air heat and a laundry in the basement. Although the basement is unfinished, Ms. Nath installed an Everdry waterproofing system when she moved in. Its warranty is transferable to the new owners.
The property’s Allegheny County assessed value is $119,500. Over the past four years, five houses have sold in the 3100 block of McRoberts Road for prices ranging from $35,280 in May 2017 to $135,000 in November 2016 (www2.county.allegheny.pa.us).
“We are in walking distance from the municipal park. My daughter played softball up there,” Ms. Nath said. “There is a little playground for the kids. It’s a nice location.”