HOT PROPERTY
Dutch Colonial in Swissvale sells in 4 days for $249,000
Unlike many houses, what you see on the outside of this twostory Dutch Colonial gives no clue to the charming surprises that lie inside or the imaginative garden that wraps around it.
The house at 7334 Burton St. in Swissvale, with three bedrooms and 1½ baths, was listed at $249,000 and sold four days later for its asking price. It is now under contract with Donna Howland Klein and Sara Zambotti of RE/MAX Realty Brokers (www.remax. or 412-337-3178).
“Put it up Thursday, got the offer Monday,” said Ruby Western, who owns the house with Ali Hoefnagel.
The couple purchased the home in 2021.
“It was the first house we ever bought and the yard was incredible,” Western said.
But the house was beige throughout. Not anymore. The rooms now feature colorful paint or wallpaper — a pleasant change from the floor-to-ceiling grays foundin many houses on the market.
“As a graphic designer and artist, it’s really important to me to decorate and make the space beautiful. Ali is creative, too,” Western said.
The kitchen, a star in its own right, has dark green cabinets, stainless-steel appliances and a butcher block counter top on the island. Since moving in, Western and Hoefnagel have replaced the refrigerator, dishwasher and washing machine.
The wallpaper behind the range area, reminiscent of a William Morris design, complements the shade of green on the walls. They also replaced the track lighting on the first floor, tying the more stylish look together.
“We have new floors, windows and a porch,” Western said. “We painted everything and removed cabinets for open shelving,along with tons of wallpaper.”
The couple replaced the flooring in the kitchen, dining area and first-floor living space. On the second floor, they removed carpeting to expose original wood flooring and painted two of the bedrooms a brilliant white.
A colorful laundry/mudroom offers easy access to the garden, and what used to be the laundry area is now a bar made byWestern’s brother, a carpenter.
The couple also made changes to the garden. Knowing how much work ponds are and the danger they pose to young children, they filled in three ponds and expanded the outdoor living space.
They also added a new deck, a fire pit and space to the patio. Western said they kept — and love — many of the plants in the garden.
“The previous owners made incredible choices with native plants and pollinating plants and it’s truly incredible.”
Of course, a big draw for any family with young children is the two-story wooden fort in the backyard. The fort is staying where it is as part of the charming experience the couplecreated.
The property’s layout makes it feel like a double lot, with peach and sour cherry trees and several raised garden beds.
The house has radiant gas heating, a full basement and adetached two-car garage.
The three bedrooms are on the second floor. Their daughter’s bedroom, painted a relaxing lavender, reflects the house’s gambrel roofand has a nook.
There is an attic with the potential for additional living space, which the couple had considered before they decided to move.
Another project they considered but decided against was making the fireplace in the living room
operational. It remains a focal point with wallpaper and a new mantelpiece.
The first-floor powder room has more stylish wallpaper above the chair rail and hand-painted tile below, thanks to Western’s artistry.
The upstairs bathroom is painted black and white, a sharp contrast to the more decorative feel of the house, but much easier to deal with when you have young children.
The assessment is $58,900. Over the last four years, five houses have sold in the 7300 block of Burton Street for
prices ranging from $65,000 in January 2024 to $184,000 for this house in July 2021 (www2.alleghenycounty.
The neighborhood is close to the Parkway East and across the Monongahela River from shops at The Waterfront and the bars and restaurants of Homestead.
“Swissvale, a lot is going on there,” Western said. “The Dari Delite is an incredible joint just around the corner, and the Triangle Sandwich Shop is a block away.”
Grocery shopping can mean a trip to The Waterfront or a nearby supermarket on Braddock Avenue. Western said there is easy access to public transportation.
“My partner took the bus to work in Oakland often, and I worked from home, so I did less.”
Making the move means leaving things behind. Two are especially precious to the couple.
“The yard is incredible. I think the yard is the star and something I would love to bring. I did love that kitchen and the bar space inside the house,” Western said.