What do you think about this house?

[kwynn]

I absolutely HATE the outside of the house.

But the inside, price, location, etc, is exactly what I am looking for.

www.pittsburghmoves.com/property/details/206992/MLS-945106/182-Penn-Manor-Road-Irwin-PA-15642.aspx?SearchID=13684883&RowNum=1&StateID=44&RegionID=0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False

What could be done to fix the outside? Anything?

Should I even keep it on the list?

[kwynn]

Jan 12, 2013 0:00:33 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

I don't think the front is so bad but it's weird how it sits sort of below road level. Is that street really busy?

I would plant a small shrub or two under the window to the right and maybe some planter boxes on the railing or hanging plants from the porch ceiling. You could also add shutters to the windows. I think those small changes will help a lot.

I occasionally see where the houses are lower and I have no idea why.

I agree about a tree/shrub---but I can never keep any kind of house plants alive.

Also, why is one part of the front stone and one part sided? Is there anything that can be done to fix that? What in the world would it cost to reside an entire house to make it match?

[Balki.Bartokomous]

I think it's overpriced. And it's sort of a main road. Sort of.

I like this one better, actually, even though the kitchen's older.


www.zillow.com/homedetails/710-Harrison-Ave-Penn-PA-15675/10654825_zpid/#hdp-photo-lightbox

[KaraOrNot]

I also think it is weird that it is below road level, but I don't think it is that bad. I think flowers/shrubs/color would make it look great.

[kwynn]

Jan 12, 2013 0:05:04 GMT -5 Balki.Bartokomous said:

I think it's overpriced. And it's sort of a main road. Sort of.

I like this one better, actually, even though the kitchen's older.


www.zillow.com/homedetails/710-Harrison-Ave-Penn-PA-15675/10654825_zpid/#hdp-photo-lightbox

Do you like that one better? I feel like it needs more work---the kitchen, the second bathroom in the basement isn't really finished, and some of the rooms need work?

Also, I was confused by the slanted walls throughout the house and the brick archway outside.

That second house is probably in an even better school district though, to be honest.

It's a flip maybe? Last sold July of 2011 and they've obviously put some work into it.

[Balki.Bartokomous]

Would you consider buying a TH?

www.zillow.com/homedetails/318-Huntingdon-Ave-North-Huntingdon-PA-15642/2117218767_zpid/


www.zillow.com/homedetails/98-Rockwood-Ave-Irwin-PA-15642/10697144_zpid/


www.pittsburghmoves.com/property/details/194859/MLS-932262/441-Daily-Dr-North-Huntingdon-PA-15642.aspx?SearchID=13685034&RowNum=46&StateID=44&RegionID=0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False

[thinkofthesoldiers]

- Those corner showers are a PITA. I wouldn't want one.
- The bedrooms seem okay, but at least 1 is pretty small.
- The basement is a nice feature. It looks like a walk out, which is nice to have and makes it seem bigger.
- I like the deck.
- I'm not crazy about the kitchen. It isn't the worst I've seen. The dishwasher is in a weird place though.
- The front would look nice with some flowers and bushes.
- Is it sitting on a busy road?

[Balki.Bartokomous]

Jan 12, 2013 0:16:04 GMT -5 kwynn said:

Jan 12, 2013 0:05:04 GMT -5 Balki.Bartokomous said:

I think it's overpriced. And it's sort of a main road. Sort of.

I like this one better, actually, even though the kitchen's older.


www.zillow.com/homedetails/710-Harrison-Ave-Penn-PA-15675/10654825_zpid/#hdp-photo-lightbox

Do you like that one better? I feel like it needs more work---the kitchen, the second bathroom in the basement isn't really finished, and some of the rooms need work?

Also, I was confused by the slanted walls throughout the house and the brick archway outside.

That second house is probably in an even better school district though, to be honest.

It's a flip maybe? Last sold July of 2011 and they've obviously put some work into it.

You're confused about the slanted walls? I'm confused by this statement. In homes with roofs like that, they don't square off the walls.

I think if you're willing to put money into a house, I'd put it into this one instead of the other one. That one you listed looks sort of industrial.

I think Norwin & PT are pretty similar in quality, so I wouldn't worry too much about which district you're in.

[heyrebekah]

Jan 12, 2013 0:05:04 GMT -5 Balki.Bartokomous said:

I think it's overpriced. And it's sort of a main road. Sort of.

I like this one better, actually, even though the kitchen's older.


www.zillow.com/homedetails/710-Harrison-Ave-Penn-PA-15675/10654825_zpid/#hdp-photo-lightbox

Aw,I love this one. It has so much more personality. I'm a sucker for rounded front doors.

[Balki.Bartokomous]

www.pittsburghmoves.com/property/details/179113/MLS-916068/131-Sunrise-Dr-Penn-Twp-PA-15642.aspx?SearchID=13685034&RowNum=49&StateID=44&RegionID=0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False


www.pittsburghmoves.com/property/details/198937/MLS-936502/13541-St-Clair-Dr-North-Huntingdon-PA-15642.aspx?SearchID=13685034&RowNum=50&StateID=44&RegionID=0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False



www.pittsburghmoves.com/property/details/194591/MLS-931975/12229-Herold-Drive-North-Huntingdon-PA-15642.aspx?SearchID=13685034&RowNum=59&StateID=44&RegionID=0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False

[jackpackage]

That is a whole lot of garage!

[kwynn]

I'd absolutely buy a townhouse. I have my eye on one in Plum Boro that's like 90k or so as well.

One thing I really dislike is box/rancher split levels. Like to me, if there's some kind of dimension to the front (a porch, some eaves), I like that, but the totally flat front box style homes aren't my style. (Although I've seen some befores and afters on how to fix up that style of house).

I guess some kind of curb appeal/shape is really important to me since I have so much trouble envisioning how to fix up the outside of a place.

This house is literally the *exact* same house layout as my in-laws--like it freaks me out it's so similar down to stove placement. One thing I don't like about these is the really tiny windows (like the half lengths) in all the bedrooms, I don't understand that. The outside of this one is okay.

www.pittsburghmoves.com/property/details/179113/MLS-916068/131-Sunrise-Dr-Penn-Twp-PA-15642.aspx?SearchID=13685034&RowNum=49&StateID=44&RegionID=0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False

I feel like this one needs so much work from the looks of it? And it's already at the top of my price range: www.pittsburghmoves.com/property/details/198937/MLS-936502/13541-St-Clair-Dr-North-Huntingdon-PA-15642.aspx?SearchID=13685034&RowNum=50&StateID=44&RegionID=0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False

Herold Drive house only has one bathroom and I wouldn't have the budget to put another one in at that price.

How about this one? I like it because it has a lot of windows?

www.pittsburghmoves.com/property/details/204954/MLS-942948/1007-Franklin-Penn-Twp-PA-15636.aspx?StateID=44&RegionID=0

[Balki.Bartokomous]

Jan 12, 2013 1:14:19 GMT -5 kwynn said:

I'd absolutely buy a townhouse. I have my eye on one in Plum Boro that's like 90k or so as well.

One thing I really dislike is box/rancher split levels. Like to me, if there's some kind of dimension to the front (a porch, some eaves), I like that, but the totally flat front box style homes aren't my style. (Although I've seen some befores and afters on how to fix up that style of house).

I guess some kind of curb appeal/shape is really important to me since I have so much trouble envisioning how to fix up the outside of a place.

This house is literally the *exact* same house layout as my in-laws--like it freaks me out it's so similar down to stove placement. One thing I don't like about these is the really tiny windows (like the half lengths) in all the bedrooms, I don't understand that. The outside of this one is okay.

www.pittsburghmoves.com/property/details/179113/MLS-916068/131-Sunrise-Dr-Penn-Twp-PA-15642.aspx?SearchID=13685034&RowNum=49&StateID=44&RegionID=0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False

I feel like this one needs so much work from the looks of it? And it's already at the top of my price range: www.pittsburghmoves.com/property/details/198937/MLS-936502/13541-St-Clair-Dr-North-Huntingdon-PA-15642.aspx?SearchID=13685034&RowNum=50&StateID=44&RegionID=0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False

Herold Drive house only has one bathroom and I wouldn't have the budget to put another one in at that price.

How about this one? I like it because it has a lot of windows?

www.pittsburghmoves.com/property/details/204954/MLS-942948/1007-Franklin-Penn-Twp-PA-15636.aspx?StateID=44&RegionID=0

Nope. That's right in the middle of "downtown" Harrison City. Lol. That is such a stretch to even call it a city. Lolol. I cannot fathom why one would live there when there are actual neighborhoods to live in. Although, you can walk to Janet's Dairy Barn from that house. She's super nice and will give your dog a free ice cream cone, so there's that.

Have you driven around the area? Are you familiar with these places that you're suggesting? I know your budget is not super high, but the houses that you're pulling up are on, like, the least desirable streets to be had in the area.

[Balki.Bartokomous]

And I think you need to keep more of an open mind when you're house hunting. You're asking what kind of work needs to be done to the outside of a home on a bad street but you're not willing to put the same $ toward the interior of a home in a nice area. That doesn't make sense to me.

[cjeanette]

Jan 12, 2013 0:05:04 GMT -5 Balki.Bartokomous said:

I think it's overpriced. And it's sort of a main road. Sort of.

I like this one better, actually, even though the kitchen's older.


www.zillow.com/homedetails/710-Harrison-Ave-Penn-PA-15675/10654825_zpid/#hdp-photo-lightbox

\\I want this.

[Balki.Bartokomous]

Jan 12, 2013 2:07:44 GMT -5 cjeanette said:

Jan 12, 2013 0:05:04 GMT -5 Balki.Bartokomous said:

I think it's overpriced. And it's sort of a main road. Sort of.

I like this one better, actually, even though the kitchen's older.


www.zillow.com/homedetails/710-Harrison-Ave-Penn-PA-15675/10654825_zpid/#hdp-photo-lightbox

\\I want this.

I love homes like this. My parents had a similar one - made of stone w/a slate roof! - offered to them for free, but my dad's grandmother came along with the house, so my mom said no, lol. I still can't believe she did that. That house was beautiful and so well-constructed.

[kwynn]

Jan 12, 2013 1:45:36 GMT -5 Balki.Bartokomous said:

Jan 12, 2013 1:14:19 GMT -5 kwynn said:

I'd absolutely buy a townhouse. I have my eye on one in Plum Boro that's like 90k or so as well.

One thing I really dislike is box/rancher split levels. Like to me, if there's some kind of dimension to the front (a porch, some eaves), I like that, but the totally flat front box style homes aren't my style. (Although I've seen some befores and afters on how to fix up that style of house).

I guess some kind of curb appeal/shape is really important to me since I have so much trouble envisioning how to fix up the outside of a place.

This house is literally the *exact* same house layout as my in-laws--like it freaks me out it's so similar down to stove placement. One thing I don't like about these is the really tiny windows (like the half lengths) in all the bedrooms, I don't understand that. The outside of this one is okay.

www.pittsburghmoves.com/property/details/179113/MLS-916068/131-Sunrise-Dr-Penn-Twp-PA-15642.aspx?SearchID=13685034&RowNum=49&StateID=44&RegionID=0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False

I feel like this one needs so much work from the looks of it? And it's already at the top of my price range: www.pittsburghmoves.com/property/details/198937/MLS-936502/13541-St-Clair-Dr-North-Huntingdon-PA-15642.aspx?SearchID=13685034&RowNum=50&StateID=44&RegionID=0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False

Herold Drive house only has one bathroom and I wouldn't have the budget to put another one in at that price.

How about this one? I like it because it has a lot of windows?

www.pittsburghmoves.com/property/details/204954/MLS-942948/1007-Franklin-Penn-Twp-PA-15636.aspx?StateID=44&RegionID=0

Nope. That's right in the middle of "downtown" Harrison City. Lol. That is such a stretch to even call it a city. Lolol. I cannot fathom why one would live there when there are actual neighborhoods to live in. Although, you can walk to Janet's Dairy Barn from that house. She's super nice and will give your dog a free ice cream cone, so there's that.

Have you driven around the area? Are you familiar with these places that you're suggesting? I know your budget is not super high, but the houses that you're pulling up are on, like, the least desirable streets to be had in the area.

I drove around the area in December, but I'm not in town now and won't be until late February, so I have been trying to narrow it down based on Google searches so I can have my relatives look for me. I feel like the North Huntingdon area is so huge and sprawling that I can't know all the neighborhood info, you know. Every place I drove around to looked totally fine (I admit my standards are pretty low---if I don't see a drug deal going down, I'm generally okay with the neighborhood).

Although I grew up in a not good area (McKeesport), so I guess the idea to me that there are bad parts of Penn Township or Irwin is sort of surprising and relative---what some ppl would say is bad, I would probably say is fine or it wouldn't even phase me.

I am definitely willing to do some work, but I have to be realistic about what a single woman with no help can do while working 80 hours a week. Like painting and some general fixes, I can do, but I can't realistically take on a house that needs work in every room because, admittedly, it will never get done---it will stay the same as the day I moved in for the next ten years if it's something extensive.

My friend that bought a house gave me some advice and she said "Do not buy a house that needs fixes in every room, inside and outside." Her advice to me after her frustration (it was her, her husband, and her parents to help) was to pick something that needs one or two major things but everything else is fine. So if it needs a bathroom and landscaping, fine. Or it needs the kitchen fixed up and paint, fine. But I guess she has warned me against thinking I can do flooring, paint, add a bathroom, finish a basement, update a kitchen, landscape, and do a new facade outside---and she's right, I can't afford to do all of that and I don't have time or help either.

So I think I'm trying to focus on a house that either needs inside or outside work but not both because I guess I feel I can't handle both.

Honestly, if I were in a different state of mind, I'd buy a huge fixer and work hard on it, but I can't---I'm really depressed and have no joy in this process. I don't even really get to look and see places-I have to have others do it for me. Maybe the next place I move, I'll get to do some of the more fun stuff. I just want to be "okay" with how it is right now and not place a lot of big projects on myself right away.

What do you think about this place? I know it is further out?

www.pittsburghmoves.com/property/details/194826/MLS-932217/1334-Ashland-St-Greensburg-PA-15601.aspx?SearchID=13686374&RowNum=4&StateID=44&RegionID=0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False

I don't know if that's Greensburg schools or Hempfield. I understand Greensburg is not considered as desirable. I just love the shape and style of that house, the older look?

I also love this house (I know there's wallpaper everywhere):
www.pittsburghmoves.com/property/details/188206/MLS-925405/430-Brandon-Street-Greensburg-PA-15601.aspx?SearchID=13686374&RowNum=5&StateID=44&RegionID=0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False

Very top of my budget though, very very top.

www.pittsburghmoves.com/property/details/191680/MLS-929031/137-Sioux-Drive-Hempfield-Township-PA-15601.aspx?SearchID=13686374&RowNum=47&StateID=44&RegionID=0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False

This one looks like a nice neighborhood but not sure what happened to the missing shower?

www.pittsburghmoves.com/property/details/204901/MLS-942871/527-Oakland-Ave-Greensburg-PA-15601.aspx?SearchID=13686374&RowNum=55&StateID=44&RegionID=0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False

I also like this one but don't know anything about the neighborhood. Looks like the lots are small and all, but that's okay for me?

www.pittsburghmoves.com/property/details/204329/MLS-942200/502-Harrison-Avenue-Greensburg-PA-15601.aspx?SearchID=13686374&RowNum=76&StateID=44&RegionID=0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False

I like this one a lot too, although I am not a fan of the upstairs layout with that weird open room, but it looks well-cared for?

I think I'm more drawn to the older-style two story homes. I LOVE this house from the outside. I just LOVE it...but I think you mentioned this is an undesirable area of town in Irwin? The back steps/deck are not my tastes, but I put this one high on my list for awhile now?:

www.pittsburghmoves.com/property/details/205361/MLS-943413/606-8Th-Street-Irwin-PA-15642.aspx?SearchID=13686374&RowNum=78&StateID=44&RegionID=0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False

I also ADORE this but it probably needs a lot of work. Originally, Greensburg was too far out from where I wanted to be but I know money-wise I need to be flexible:

www.pittsburghmoves.com/property/details/182365/MLS-919383/134-E-Pittsburgh-St-Greensburg-PA-15601.aspx?SearchID=13686374&RowNum=91&StateID=44&RegionID=0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False

I really love the mature trees here and the old looking sink: www.pittsburghmoves.com/property/details/194736/MLS-932129/335-Center-Avenue-Greensburg-PA-15601.aspx?SearchID=13686374&RowNum=149&StateID=44&RegionID=0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False


Also like this house (it's near the college, so I'm not sure about the area): www.pittsburghmoves.com/property/details/180433/MLS-917421/340-N-Pennsylvania-Avenue-Greensburg-PA-15601.aspx?SearchID=13686374&RowNum=275&StateID=44&RegionID=0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False

LOVE this one too:http://www.pittsburghmoves.com/property/details/204806/MLS-942767/220-Maryland-Hempfield-Township-PA-15601.aspx?SearchID=13686374&RowNum=100&StateID=44&RegionID=0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False

And that's every house in my price range in the county, I think

I really, really appreciate you taking the time to look at these houses for me or just general neighborhood info. None of my family lives that far out of the city so they're not really a good resource on this kind of thing either. Thanks a million times over!

[Here]

Horrible. The garage looks like an auto shop. The inside is tiny.

[kwynn]

Jan 12, 2013 6:09:19 GMT -5 Here said:

Horrible. The garage looks like an auto shop. The inside is tiny.

I do think the garage must be an auto shop of some kind---okay, crossing it off my list.

[bunch]

I came to this post too late. Too much to follow . Did you find a good agent? Are you planning a brig hunting trip?

[kwynn]

Jan 12, 2013 8:38:06 GMT -5 bunch said:

I came to this post too late. Too much to follow . Did you find a good agent? Are you planning a brig hunting trip?

I found an agent---I have no idea if he's good.

I am having my sister look for me over the next couple of weeks and then, when I'm in town for work anyway at the end of February, I'll look at whatever's still available.

Or if there is something really good, I'm planning to fly in and see it, but that would be for something I really, really am seriously considering.

[bunch]

Exciting! I hope you find something that you love.

[kwynn]

Jan 12, 2013 9:13:22 GMT -5 bunch said:

Exciting! I hope you find something that you love.

Me too---photos lie.

[bunch]

Oh and I've only looked at a few that you posted, but removing wall paper is so much more work than just painting. I would be scared of the Victorian styled one.

[topcat]

I missed your house budget numbers but I live in this area and this ones pretty cute. Its Trafford PT school district and close to Monroeville.

400edgewood.howardhanna.com

MLS# 920649

[topcat]

510edgewoodavenue.howardhanna.com

527fairmontave.howardhanna.com
this ones an even better deal.

Trafford is small and not a bustling town or anything but its relatively close to Pittsburgh for things to do.

[Balki.Bartokomous]

Jan 12, 2013 3:40:15 GMT -5 kwynn said:

Jan 12, 2013 1:45:36 GMT -5 Balki.Bartokomous said:

Nope. That's right in the middle of "downtown" Harrison City. Lol. That is such a stretch to even call it a city. Lolol. I cannot fathom why one would live there when there are actual neighborhoods to live in. Although, you can walk to Janet's Dairy Barn from that house. She's super nice and will give your dog a free ice cream cone, so there's that.

Have you driven around the area? Are you familiar with these places that you're suggesting? I know your budget is not super high, but the houses that you're pulling up are on, like, the least desirable streets to be had in the area.

I drove around the area in December, but I'm not in town now and won't be until late February, so I have been trying to narrow it down based on Google searches so I can have my relatives look for me. I feel like the North Huntingdon area is so huge and sprawling that I can't know all the neighborhood info, you know. Every place I drove around to looked totally fine (I admit my standards are pretty low---if I don't see a drug deal going down, I'm generally okay with the neighborhood).

Although I grew up in a not good area (McKeesport), so I guess the idea to me that there are bad parts of Penn Township or Irwin is sort of surprising and relative---what some ppl would say is bad, I would probably say is fine or it wouldn't even phase me.

I am definitely willing to do some work, but I have to be realistic about what a single woman with no help can do while working 80 hours a week. Like painting and some general fixes, I can do, but I can't realistically take on a house that needs work in every room because, admittedly, it will never get done---it will stay the same as the day I moved in for the next ten years if it's something extensive.

My friend that bought a house gave me some advice and she said "Do not buy a house that needs fixes in every room, inside and outside." Her advice to me after her frustration (it was her, her husband, and her parents to help) was to pick something that needs one or two major things but everything else is fine. So if it needs a bathroom and landscaping, fine. Or it needs the kitchen fixed up and paint, fine. But I guess she has warned me against thinking I can do flooring, paint, add a bathroom, finish a basement, update a kitchen, landscape, and do a new facade outside---and she's right, I can't afford to do all of that and I don't have time or help either.

So I think I'm trying to focus on a house that either needs inside or outside work but not both because I guess I feel I can't handle both.

Honestly, if I were in a different state of mind, I'd buy a huge fixer and work hard on it, but I can't---I'm really depressed and have no joy in this process. I don't even really get to look and see places-I have to have others do it for me. Maybe the next place I move, I'll get to do some of the more fun stuff. I just want to be "okay" with how it is right now and not place a lot of big projects on myself right away.

What do you think about this place? I know it is further out?

www.pittsburghmoves.com/property/details/194826/MLS-932217/1334-Ashland-St-Greensburg-PA-15601.aspx?SearchID=13686374&RowNum=4&StateID=44&RegionID=0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False

I don't know if that's Greensburg schools or Hempfield. I understand Greensburg is not considered as desirable. I just love the shape and style of that house, the older look?

I also love this house (I know there's wallpaper everywhere):
www.pittsburghmoves.com/property/details/188206/MLS-925405/430-Brandon-Street-Greensburg-PA-15601.aspx?SearchID=13686374&RowNum=5&StateID=44&RegionID=0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False

Very top of my budget though, very very top.

www.pittsburghmoves.com/property/details/191680/MLS-929031/137-Sioux-Drive-Hempfield-Township-PA-15601.aspx?SearchID=13686374&RowNum=47&StateID=44&RegionID=0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False

This one looks like a nice neighborhood but not sure what happened to the missing shower?

www.pittsburghmoves.com/property/details/204901/MLS-942871/527-Oakland-Ave-Greensburg-PA-15601.aspx?SearchID=13686374&RowNum=55&StateID=44&RegionID=0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False

I also like this one but don't know anything about the neighborhood. Looks like the lots are small and all, but that's okay for me?

www.pittsburghmoves.com/property/details/204329/MLS-942200/502-Harrison-Avenue-Greensburg-PA-15601.aspx?SearchID=13686374&RowNum=76&StateID=44&RegionID=0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False

I like this one a lot too, although I am not a fan of the upstairs layout with that weird open room, but it looks well-cared for?

I think I'm more drawn to the older-style two story homes. I LOVE this house from the outside. I just LOVE it...but I think you mentioned this is an undesirable area of town in Irwin? The back steps/deck are not my tastes, but I put this one high on my list for awhile now?:

www.pittsburghmoves.com/property/details/205361/MLS-943413/606-8Th-Street-Irwin-PA-15642.aspx?SearchID=13686374&RowNum=78&StateID=44&RegionID=0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False

I also ADORE this but it probably needs a lot of work. Originally, Greensburg was too far out from where I wanted to be but I know money-wise I need to be flexible:

www.pittsburghmoves.com/property/details/182365/MLS-919383/134-E-Pittsburgh-St-Greensburg-PA-15601.aspx?SearchID=13686374&RowNum=91&StateID=44&RegionID=0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False

I really love the mature trees here and the old looking sink: www.pittsburghmoves.com/property/details/194736/MLS-932129/335-Center-Avenue-Greensburg-PA-15601.aspx?SearchID=13686374&RowNum=149&StateID=44&RegionID=0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False


Also like this house (it's near the college, so I'm not sure about the area): www.pittsburghmoves.com/property/details/180433/MLS-917421/340-N-Pennsylvania-Avenue-Greensburg-PA-15601.aspx?SearchID=13686374&RowNum=275&StateID=44&RegionID=0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False

LOVE this one too:http://www.pittsburghmoves.com/property/details/204806/MLS-942767/220-Maryland-Hempfield-Township-PA-15601.aspx?SearchID=13686374&RowNum=100&StateID=44&RegionID=0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False

And that's every house in my price range in the county, I think

I really, really appreciate you taking the time to look at these houses for me or just general neighborhood info. None of my family lives that far out of the city so they're not really a good resource on this kind of thing either. Thanks a million times over!

So when I'm saying the "bad" parts, I'm not talking about drug deals or anything. I'm talking about the fact that there is a small two-block "downtown" area with a gas station & a bank & a tiny video rental store and a couple of cheap, crappy houses on a busy road. Of all the places to pick, that's not where I'd buy a house because you can get a nicer house for the same amount of money if you look in an actual neighborhood. Essentially, when you're looking at the map on pittsburghmoves.com, you don't want to buy a house on a yellow street.

You definitely don't want to do a ton of work, and I realize that, but, for example, the place you posted in the OP is at the top of your range AND you're talking about doing exterior work. You need to realize that exterior work is much more work and $ than painting a few rooms and having someone lay new carpet.

I love the homes in Greensburg. I'm not as familiar with the specific areas of Greensburg, but IIRC the area near the college is safe. I knew a lady who had a home like that one you posted on Brandon Street and it was gorgeous and near the college and I always felt safe there.

You'll find that Greensburg and downtown Irwin (near that one on 8th street) are more town-ish because they're homes arranged in blocks. Harrison City is residential neighborhoods (except for near the intersection of Rte 130 & Harrison City-Export Road).

Trafford is also arranged in blocks, but I wouldn't buy there. It's kind of the most run-down part of PT, and basically it was where all of my druggie friends from HS lived.

[kwynn]

@balki---that is SO helpful about the yellow streets on PittsburghMoves.

Thank you SO much for all of your help!

[imojoebunny]

Jan 12, 2013 2:30:07 GMT -5 Balki.Bartokomous said:

Jan 12, 2013 2:07:44 GMT -5 cjeanette said:

\\I want this.

I love homes like this. My parents had a similar one - made of stone w/a slate roof! - offered to them for free, but my dad's grandmother came along with the house, so my mom said no, lol. I still can't believe she did that. That house was beautiful and so well-constructed.

This house looks great. It would be about $400k in my neighborhood, without a garage. The OP house seems like it is on a busy street, it isn't a terrible house, and if you want a semi commercial area for your business, it might be good. I covet garages and basements, they are awesome, wish I had one.

[kwynn]

Jan 12, 2013 19:48:33 GMT -5 imojoebunny said:

Jan 12, 2013 2:30:07 GMT -5 Balki.Bartokomous said:

I love homes like this. My parents had a similar one - made of stone w/a slate roof! - offered to them for free, but my dad's grandmother came along with the house, so my mom said no, lol. I still can't believe she did that. That house was beautiful and so well-constructed.

This house looks great. It would be about $400k in my neighborhood, without a garage. The OP house seems like it is on a busy street, it isn't a terrible house, and if you want a semi commercial area for your business, it might be good. I covet garages and basements, they are awesome, wish I had one.

Everyone loves this house except for me. I think it's just the outside shape I don't love---it doesn't really appeal to me. I'm beginning to think I have terrible taste in houses---I put it on the list though just to see.