THAT HOUSE SOLD FOR HOW MUCH?
From affordable homes to multimillion-dollar estates, see what sold and what is still up for grabs
Pittsburgh is still a hot real estate market. The average housing price was $182,000 and sales were up 7 percent in the third quarter, according to the West Penn Multi-List. Year-end sales had not yet been totaled.
But what about the properties featured in Buying Here? Our annual roundup shows that some affordable homes sold quickly in 2018 while multimillion-dollar estates are still looking for buyers.
Hunting bids
The high bid will take a nearly 200-acre estate in Ligonier’s hunt country that was featured in early December. Originally listed for $7.5 million, Woodmere will be sold in a no reserve auction on Thursday through Platinum Luxury Auctions.
The main house has five bedrooms, five bathrooms, one powder room and 9,310 square feet of living space. A video also shows the four-bedroom guest house, a three-bedroom staff house, a three-car garage and a chicken coop. Along with approximately 7 miles of walking trails, a stream and 10 ponds stocked with trout, bass and catfish, there is a shooting range for clay pigeons.
The no reserve auction will take place at the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago. Real estate auctions are usually held at the property, but in this case the owner is also selling homes in Florida, New Mexico and Colorado.
Trayor Lesnock, a Pittsburgh native who is president of Platinum Luxury Auctions, said about half of the property auctions he handles have a reserve, which means it’s not sold if bids don’t meet or exceed the reserve price.
Bidders can bid in person or by phone, but phone bidders must have a representative there and meet these conditions: By 5 p.m. Wednesday, submit a refundable deposit of $100,000 via wire or a cashier’s check and fill out a terms of sale agreement, found at www.platinumluxuryauctions.com.
“Bidders can also submit an opening bid. It is not required, but they will receive a 10 percent discount on any opening bid they provide,” Mr. Lesnock said. “It is applied to your winning bid.”
Gateway Towers
A new owner is going to be enjoying spectacular wraparound views from the 19th floor of Gateway Towers, a Downtown property featured in October. Unit 19L, which has 1,400 square feet of living space, was listed for $325,000. It is currently under agreement for an undisclosed amount.
Historic Elizabeth
A little 1830s farmhouse in the Tanner Alley section of Elizabeth Borough was listed for $64,900 in July. Despite its original beams, old floors and other woodwork, the house at 510 4th Ave. did not sell. Jamie Rossi of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services (412-337-8936 or www.howardhanna.com) is the listing agent.
Butler Victorian
The Italianate-style house at 236 E. Pearl St., Butler, was built in 1879 and got rave reviews when it appeared in the newspaper in June. Decorator Suzanne Hulton and her late husband spared little expense in decorating the home with period wallpapers, light fixtures and period-appropriate upgrades.
Originally listed at $265,900, the historic property sold for $225,000.
Creekside retreat
Maggie Hardy Magerko’s Farmington hideaway lured lots of jealous anglers and other online lookers when the story ran in November. The bucolic home belonging to 84 Lumber’s owner was priced at $1.6 million and came with a Nemacolin Woodlands membership. Bailey Sherrier, director of Marketing for Piatt Sotheby’s International Realty, said the marketing campaign was a winner even though the property didn’t sell.
“Maggie took the house off the market . ... She said she fell back in love with it. A bittersweet moment for us, but we are so happy that we were able to show how special this home is — even to its owner.”
White Oak bungalow
The oh-so-charming cottage at 1143 Fawcett Ave. in White Oak was built in 1924, listed in July for $105,000 and sold in November for $99,000. With three bedrooms, original stained-glass windows, hardwood floors and built-in cabinets, this home is making the new owner very happy.
Handyman special
Brian DeVito and his wife are on the move — buying, rehabbing and selling houses every two years. Last January, they listed 1301 Mississippi Ave. in Dormont for $249,900. They had renovated the kitchen and bathrooms, reconfigured walls and played up original features such as 9-foot ceilings. The property sold in February for $240,000 — a nice score for the owner and the seller.
Perry South charmer
After renting 2714 Perrysville Ave. on the North Side for many years, Ross Paulett decided to renovate it one last time and sell it. He painted the pretty paneled entry and pocket doors, refinished hardwood floors and put in a new kitchen and bathroom.
Listed last January for $135,500, the property sold for $132,500 in May.
Own in Oakland
The owner of 3231 Parkview Ave. loved Oakland and moved to that neighborhood upon his retirement. When he died before finishing its renovation, his family deeded it to the Oakland Land Trust with a provision to sell with owner-occupancy.
The three-bedroom, threebath home with a new kitchen and restored fireplaces is just blocks away from Schenley Park and the central business district.
Listed in August for $219,000, it is currently on the market for $179,900. Contact Blair Kossis of Coldwell Banker Real Estate (www.coldwellbanker.com) at 412-592-1605 for a showing.
Crafton quick sale
Realtor Lu Ryan lives in the city’s West End and specializes in properties there. In April she had three similar listings in Crafton, including 1579 Barr Ave. Nicely rehabbed with fireplaces, hardwood floors and sharp gray paint and trim, the handsome home with four bedrooms and two baths did not sit long. Listed for $224,900, it sold in July for $205,000.
Hammer brothers
The Iagnemma brothers tackled a 100-year-old farmhouse at 118 Central Ave. in South Fayette and spent years working on its four bedrooms, three bathrooms, kitchen and roomy yard. They listed it in the spring for $189,900, and it is still on the market with Jonathan Bursich of Keller Williams Real Estate (412-760-3860).
Thornburg Craftsman
The historic home at 1137 Cornell Road in Thornburg has a cobblestone facade and stunning Craftsman-style interior.
Originally built as a spec house by Frank Thornburg, the century-old house was used as a community center for a time. It boasts original hardwood floors, tiled fireplaces and a library with wall-to-wall mahogany cabinetry and glass doors.
The house, listed in May for $549,000, is still on the market with a new price of $529,900. Contact Lu Ryan of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services at 412-276-5000, ext. 203, or www.howardhanna.com.
Mario’s castle
The Lemieux castle near Montreal is still available for the quirky price of $21,999,066. Mario Lemieux, who wore No. 66 for the Penguins and is now co-owner of the team, listed his nearly 17,000-square-foot lakefront cottage in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, in July.
Le Magnifique, his wife, Nathalie, and their four children enjoy two swimming pools, eight bedrooms, eight full bathrooms,17 fireplaces, 4½ dining areas, a paddle tennis court, five washers and dryers, and a 12-by-12-foot refrigerated garbage room.
Although it was advertised as a summer home, the property is adjacent to the Mont Tremblant ski resort, said agent Michel Naud of Engel & Voelkers (www.engelvoelkers.com). By email, he said the property “has received serious interest and is in a market that is pretty active despite the price.
“This type of buyer doesn’t question the quality of such property and the time allocated to build it. So far, the price has not been the issue,” Mr. Naud said.
“The castle is just like Mario was as a player — grand, elegant, classy. It is a hall of fame property just like Mario.”