House with 130 years of TLC priced under $130,000 in Brighton Heights
Larry Czerpak has done lots of renovation on his North Side house since he bought it 14 years ago. It was the first time someone outside the Vogeley family had lived there since it was built in 1890.
“It was remarkable. It was passed down through the same family for more than 100 years,” Mr. Czerpak said. “It was very well taken care of.”
Now he is ready to pass 3426 Fleming Ave., Brighton Heights, on to someone else. The three-bedroom, one-bath house is on the market for $129,900 (MLS No. 1442402) with Hollie Hooper of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services (412-956-2599 or www.howardhanna.com). There is an online virtual tour. Contact the agent for additional showing information in compliance with state COVID-19 restrictions.
The house has vinyl siding. original trim and a new front porch with a vintage-looking beadboard skirt. Mr. Czerpak says the three columns, original window frames, soffit and fascia were in excellent shape when he bought the house.
A front door with its original lockset leads to a double vestibule. Off the entry is the original staircase with a carved balustrade, a brass statue and lamp on the newel post and an oak-paneled wall. All of the wood trim is original.
Mr. Czerpak replaced the wood flooring on the first floor and installed vinyl in the kitchen and bathroom. The living room fireplace has a two-colored tile surround and a working gas insert.
“The gas insert was there, and so I had it hooked up,” he said. “It really heats the room up nicely.”
Original oak pocket doors separate the living and dining rooms. The dining room has an old brass chandelier and a decorative fireplace. Tall windows let in lots of light and offer a view of an empty side lot.
“The brother of the original owner was supposed to build his family home there, but he died, so it remained with the original home,” Mr. Czerpak said.
The side lot contains a lawn, carport and rock garden. “The carport is large, and access is through a dead-end alley. It is only used by me and the neighbor. It is very private,” Mr. Czerpak said.
The cheery yellow kitchen was renovated and has oak cabinets, laminate counter tops, a ceramic tile backsplash, a dishwasher and a gas stove. There is a small breakfast room and a rear staircase. Out back is a large covered deck that overlooks the grassy yard and garden.
On the second floor are three bedrooms and one full bathroom. Each bedroom has original baseboards and large windows. The bathroom boasts a cast-iron tub and a Victorian shower rail.
The third floor has a large finished bonus room with a red vinyl floor that could be a guest
bedroom. In the basement is a laundry area and a large workshop with bench.
Mr. Czerpak has installed new windows, a furnace and central air conditioning. He had the house rewired. “The home also has new attic and wall insulation. It is quiet and warm,” he said.
The property’s Allegheny County assessment is is $49,400. Over the past two years, nine houses have sold in the 3400 block of Fleming Avenue for prices ranging from $7,507 in April 2018 to $225,000 in June 2018 (www2.alleghenycounty.us/RealEstate/ Search.aspx).
“The community is changing,” Mr. Czerpak said. “More families are moving back in there, and the home is close to a bus line into town. It’s a really comfortable place to live.”