Ol’ Two Foot gets second life in Perry South
When Ross Paullet purchased a 118-year-old house on the North Side 10 years ago, he planned to use it as a rental. But after the last set of tenants vacated, he decided it was time to remodel and sell.
“They were really hard on the house,” he said.
He hired contractor Steve Furge to put things back together. “I have high praise for Steve. His dedication and perfection was second to none.”
The owner and renovator took to calling the house Two Foot after Mr. Furge said, “I only have to move 2 feet and there is more work to be done.”
After a long renovation, the house at 2714 Perrysville Ave., Perry South, is on the market for $135,000 (MLS No. 1297712) with Brian Larson of Coldwell Banker Real Estate Services (412-363-4000 or www.coldwellbanker.com). An open house is set for 1-3 p.m. Sunday.
Mr. Paullet said his wife was in charge of the color and finishes. After determining that the stained paneling in the entry could not be refinished, they painted it white. The floors, also beyond saving, were replaced with engineered hardwood.
On the left, original pocket doors open to a 15-by-14-foot living room with a stone fireplace and ornamental plaster ceiling. Another set of pocket doors leads to the adjacent 17-by-15-foot dining room, where the decorative fireplace has its original tile surround. Nine-foot ceilings and a bow window add to the feeling of spaciousness.
The new 16-by-12-foot kitchen has white cabinets, stainless-steel fixtures and appliances and granite counter tops. Mr. Paullet acknowledged that most houses in this price range do not have granite counters. A large window and a trio of pendant lights make the space bright.
There is a new powder room off the entry and space in rear mudroom for a stackable washer and dryer.
“We will call the contractor back to install for a new owner for a fee,” Mr. Paullet said, noting that there are laundry hook-ups in the basement.
The house has front and back staircases to the second floor, where the largest of three bedrooms is the 24-by-19-foot master. It has a bay window, ceiling fan and new carpet. The other two bedrooms measure 11 by 10 feet and 15 by 14 feet. They also have new carpeting.
In the hall is a charming walk-in linen closet with original drawers and a full bath with new tile, vanity, flooring and lighting. On the finished third floor, dormers add visual interest to the 16-by-14-foot space.
The house has a slate roof, forced-air heat and replacement windows that are 11 years old. There is on-street parking and a small backyard with a second level that can be landscaped.
The Allegheny County assessed value is $66,300 (www2.county.allegheny. Search.aspx). Over the last three years, two houses have sold in the 2700 and 2800 blocks of Perrysville Avenue for prices ranging from $58,500 in September 2014 to $350,000 in December 2013 (www.realstats.net).
“I would be comfortable selling this house to a young person who has no experience with home repairs,” Mr. Paullet said. “Steve did such nice work. He took care of everything. We would be proud to live in this house ourselves.”