A Welcoming Front Porch in a Friendly Community

As the spring market warms up in Pittsburgh — with new listings hitting the market each day — there’s a good reminder: the region remains one of the most affordable housing market in the country.

Amidst Candy King mansions and soaring choir-loft condos sit well-maintained, classic Pittsburgh homes, such 3518 Simen Ave. in Brighton Heights.

“This house reminds me of an English cottage, with a lovely terraced front yard and a nice flat backyard,” says Jessica Baker of Achieve Realty, who first listed the house before the current owner, Seth McClarey, purchased it. “It’s on a quiet street with lots of caring neighbors. You can plug right into the community from this house.”

Baker adds she loves the updates McClarey made to the home — and she’s pleased to have the chance to sell it once more.

“Not only has he increased the curb appeal, and the cosmetic updates he has made to the inside, he also replaced the furnace and AC, installed a new roof and replaced windows,” says Baker.

The tidy, Craftsman-style bungalow is fronted by a wide porch perfect for sitting and chatting with neighbors in the friendly Brighton Heights community. From the porch, the home opens into a sunny living room that runs the length of the home and includes architectural details such as original woodwork and built-in bookcases, which flank an original fireplace; there’s also a wallpapered accent wall along the staircase.

The living room flows into the spacious dining room, which also features an original fireplace. A gilded tree branch-inspired chandelier drips with crystal leaves, adding a fun twist to a space that already feels unexpected.

“I love the spacious dining room,” says McClarey. “It can fit a massive table, and filling it with family and friends while I’ve been here has been a highlight. With the nice, large and open rooms, it has allowed me to go full-tilt with my decorating for the holidays.”

The kitchen, which is separated from the dining room by only the fireplace, is compact but well-laid out. White cabinets and dark stone counters complement each other and keep the space feeling bright. A door opens to the back porch and leads to a flat yard perfect for an additional patio space or for a round of backyard sports.

“It has a nice, perfectly flat backyard for my dog, which was important,” says McClarey.

He adds the house was vacant before he moved in; the backyard, which he says had become a bit unruly, acted as a quiet retreat for local wildlife.

“It was cool to watch all the animals from the dining room windows,” he says. “It still remains a quiet shaded area for deer and other animals to pass through and rest on a hot summer day.”

Upstairs are three freshly painted bedrooms with wall-to-wall carpeting. McClarey says that while he loves the house itself, he’d be remiss to pass up a chance to brag about the neighborhood; this is his second home on the North Side.

“My previous house was also in Brighton Heights, so I have been here in the neighborhood for nine years total,” he says. “I really love the community aspect we have here.”

McClarey also enjoys the local businesses and walkability of the neighborhood.

“The California Coffee Bar is a great asset to the neighborhood, as well as Tom Friday’s market,” he says.

He adds, “Getting involved with Brighton Heights Citizens Federation, the neighborhood civic group, has been a great way to meet neighbors, welcome new ones, and is very active with very involved members, putting on a number of activities for the neighborhood throughout the year.”