PHOTOS COURTESY BRIAN SELLS PITTSBURGH

When Caitlin Healy and Patrick Boland got married in 2021, one of their first moves was to buy a starter home in which they could begin a family.

While they owned a townhouse at the time, they were also often frustrated with the lack of entertainment space afforded by the townhouse’s narrow layout. There weren’t any such issues at 1024 Dallett Road in Whitehall; The three-bedroom bungalow they bought as newlyweds was move-in ready, with an open layout and enough space for little ones.

“We painted and updated some fixtures, but it was in great shape,” Healy says. “There is good storage and a finished basement, which were a plus, too.”

In fall of 2023, the couple welcomed their first child; as they expected, the house made the perfect spot for their growing family.

Built in 1948, the home measures just over 1,100 square feet. The first floor’s updated living room, dining room and kitchen are bright and flow together well for entertaining; there is also a bedroom on the first floor that could be utilized as an office or den.

The large, covered porch and terraced backyard extend the property’s entertainment space, and there’s a finished basement with a bar that was used often by the couple.

“We have people over all the time for Steelers games,” says Healy. “My husband is also a huge UFC fan, and six of the seven siblings in his family live within a 10-minute drive of the house. There’s many times when all six brothers are in the basement together.”

The home’s attached garage and parking pad are also great for outdoor entertaining, the couple adds. Before their child was born, they hosted a “Huggies and Chuggies” party there, which they say will remain one of the most poignant memories of their first house.

The primary suite is tucked under the eaves of the home’s upper floor, which has charming sloped ceilings and arched doorways.

“You can do a lot with the upstairs,” says Healy. “There are so many options for configuring the two rooms, which share a full bathroom.”

The couple used the second floor’s other bedroom as a massive walk-in closet, but it could also be used as a home office, nursery, workout room or studio.

While realtors started the year in Pittsburgh hopeful for a hot market, it has been a bit slower than anticipated — with some sellers slashing prices to drive sales, including last week’s Hot Property in Shadyside. Despite that uncertainty, Healy and Boland’s home, which is listed for $289,473, went under contract within a week.

Realtor Brian Teyssier of RE/MAX Real Estate Solutions says the quick offer did not surprise him in the least.

“It’s the perfect starter home at a great price point; it’s right around the median home price for Pittsburgh,” he says.

The home’s solid condition and neutral aesthetic details help, too. Buyers walking through the front door did not have to focus on needed renovations, Teyssier says. Instead, they could envision unloading their moving truck and settling in easily.

“It’s also in an area that is affordable and attractive for first-time home buyers,” he says of the Baldwin-Whitehall community.

Healy and Boland love the community so much that they don’t plan to move far; they just want to have a little more space as they make plans to expand their family.

“Despite the good storage, we’ve realized that kids take over every nook and cranny, and [we] are ready to size up before adding more kids,” Healy says.

They love the walkability of the Whitehall community and the close proximity to Boland’s family, as well as the number of kids around the neighborhood.

“If I stand at my front door and look around, I can see 10 houses — and half of them have kids under 12,” Healy says. “It’s a great place to raise a family.”

About: Whitehall
Population: 14,863
Planes, Trains, & Automobiles: The Whitehall community is perfectly positioned for commuters. It’s a quick jaunt to Downtown, and access to the Parkway West is also simple from this area of the city. While most residents have a car, there is also public transportation and ride shares readily available. The airport is 20-minute commute.
Schools: Baldwin-Whitehall School District (bwschools.net)
Neighborhood: The Baldwin-Whitehall community has a reputation of being a great spot in which to raise a family. The area is full of smart buys and starter homes and has an affordable price point overall, with residents reporting high satisfaction with the local schools. Due to these factors, there are many young families in the community. People know their neighbors, stop for sidewalk chats, and kids play outside together safely. The community is also close to a wide variety of restaurants and retail spots at Caste Village Shopping Center.