BLUE KID ON THE BLOCK
Big 1890 farmhouse priced at $287,000 in Westwood
The house at the top of Queensbury Street in Westwood is big, blue and ready for a buyer who’s not into renovation projects. This is a place where you move in your furniture, unpack your suitcases and settle into a well-designed, rehabbed house larger than most in the city in this price range.
Built in 1890, the threebedroom, two-bath Colonial farmhouse at 1553 Queensbury St. (MLS No. 1476322) is listed at $287,000 with the Sorco Team, Tammy and Carlos, of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services (412-758-6544 or www.howardhanna.com). An open house is set for 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday.
Owner Kebra Murphy said the house’s bold color and corner location attracted her. “That and a lot of space for me and a 7-yearold.”
The original wooden double entry doors and a stainedglass transom window give a hint of what’s inside. Manufactured wood flooring starts in the large entry and continues throughout the first floor. Bright white paint and broad arches link the front hall, living room and dining room, creatingan open floorplan.
The dining room has tall windows and a built-in cabinet with original beadboard backing and drawers for linens.
“It’s a very big house, spacious for family gatherings with an open concept,” Murphy said.
Next to the dining room is the kitchen, which boasts Samsung stainless-steel appliances, including a convection oven, dishwasher and microwave purchased in 2019. The large refrigerator is going with the owner unless the buyer wants to make an offer.
The Shaker-style cabinets’ clean lines are complemented by a mosaic tile backsplash in a mixture of blues and greens that carry over to the crystal cabinet knobs. Shades of brown in the laminate counter tops contrast with the kitchen’s blue-green accents. Several windows and a door offer views and access to the fenced-in backyarda nd a small porch.
Murphy designed the kitchen herself.
“You could totally change it to another color, get the knobs and peel-and-stick tiles from Amazon and spend less than $100 to get them,” she said.
Off the L-shaped kitchen is a pantry with shelving and a refrigerator.
One of two full bathrooms is off the front hall. It has a stand-up shower, bathroom fixtures with a brushed gold finish and the same flooring as the rest of the first floor.
Upstairs are four bedrooms, two large ones on the second floor and one that takes up all of the third floor. The third, smaller bedroom on the second floor is currently used as a crafts room. It’s an excellent place for this former Marine to relax and indulge in candle-making. This room has wood flooring and the other bedrooms have wall-to-wall carpeting. Since Murphy is moving to Hawaii, she said the interior furnishings are available for purchase.
The family bathroom on second floor has a vanity, a built-in linen cupboard and a shower-tub combination.
The third floor is ideal for children who want their own space.
“My son loves it,” Murphy said. “He has a play area, a sleeping area and a homework area.”
The house has lots of outdoor space for entertaining. The front porch is begging for a few rockers, and the large deck on the right side of the house has room for several tables, a grill and a dance party, if you’re so inclined.
The three-story house has vinyl siding, forced-air gas heating, central air-conditioning and an ADT home security system. The full basement is unfinished and there are two off-street parking places next to the deck. The garden shed in the backyard stays with the house.
The house is within walking distance of Westwood Elementary School and a 10minute drive to Downtown.
Over the past five years, four homes have sold on this block of Queensbury Street for prices ranging from $59,500 in August 2016 to this house for $225,000 in December 2019 (www2.alleghenycounty.
The property assessment is $87,800 and annual taxes are $1,987.