PHOTOS BY MIKE LEONARDI AT CANDIDLY YOURS

When Robert Youngker moved into his grandparents’ Ross Township home, he planned to live there for just a short time while fixing it up with plans to sell it.

That was 22 years ago.

As it turned out, the family home in the Laurel Garden neighborhood tugged at his heartstrings — and Youngker found he just couldn’t let it go.

“I decided I wanted to stay, and purchased it a few months later,” he says.

Over the last two decades, Youngker and his wife, Lindsay, have made many improvements to 117 9th Ave.

Built in 1940, the classic brick cottage home is now listed by Chads Mullinary of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services for $269,000, which feels affordable in a rising local market. Measuring just over 1,100 square feet, the home has three bedrooms and one full bathroom. There is also plumbing in place for a second full bathroom on the main level near the primary bedroom, which makes this home a great option for aging occupants or homeowners with mobility issues.

“This house is beautifully updated but affordable,” says Mullinary, citing the large level yard and family-friendly community as two draws for the next buyer. “It’s in a great, low-traffic neighborhood, too.”

While the Youngkers lovingly maintained the home throughout their time there, they invested heavily in renovations in 2020.

“The house has a new roof, furnace, kitchen, bath and electrical panel,” says Mulliary, adding that these updates should provide peace of mind for prospective buyers.

Of all the renovations, Youngker says the kitchen stands out the most.

“There is plenty of space to gather and cook at the same time,” says Youngker. “I think the new homeowner will definitely find the kitchen to be their favorite place as well.”

Shaker-style cabinets in a warm wood tone complement the new stone countertops and oversized floor tile. New stainless steel appliances, including a large refrigerator with French doors, complete the renovation; a funky geometric backsplash also adds some visual interest.

Gleaming hardwood floors on the first floor flow throughout the other rooms, and details such as arched doorways and updated lighting add to the home’s quaint cottage feel. The top floor features two bedrooms and a full bathroom under the gabled roof; double-shed dormers make those bedrooms feel spacious and bright.

The unfinished basement includes laundry as well as access to an attached, single-stall garage. The space is dry and bright, making it useful for a workshop, home studio or additional recreation space.

While they invested in improving the home itself, Youngker says the best part of this house is the community. The home is near all of the eateries and businesses on Rochester and McKnight roads, yet tucked away in a quiet corner of Ross Township — the perfect mix of convenience and privacy.

The Youngkers are hopeful that the home’s new owners find their place in the community they loved. Despite not being in their plan, the couple has no regrets about the two decades they spent building a life in their quiet little home.

“The hardest part about moving is leaving the great people and friends in the neighborhood,” Youngker says. “It is a very close-knit, quiet neighborhood with its own park to gather in,”

Meg St-Esprit is a Bellevue-based freelance journalist who covers real estate, lifestyle, education, parenting and travel for a variety of local outlets including Pittsburgh Magazine, PublicSource, Kidsburgh, Pittsburgh City Paper, and City Cast Pittsburgh. Meg offers Hot Property, an inside look into unique and historic homes on the market. Each week, Hot Property goes behind the For Sale sign to share the story of a special Pittsburgh-area home.

About: Ross
Population: 33,213
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Most residents of Ross own cars, as many roads do not have sidewalks, and bus routes are limited within the community. Residents of the township can easily access the Parkway North, Route 28, and other major city arteries. The airport is just a 30-minute drive away and is also accessible via bus from McKnight Road to Downtown, where travelers can catch the Airport Flyer.
Schools: North Hills School District (nhsd.net)
Neighborhood: The expansive community has one of the county’s biggest retail zones along McKnight Road, including the Ross Park Mall. While McKnight may be bustling, the township also contains many smaller communities, like Laurel Gardens. It’s not unusual to see kids out on bikes or families taking a walk in many of these small housing plans and neighborhoods. Most neighbors report a strong sense of community and enjoy seasonal festivals and events with one another. The Ross Township Community Center is a hub for residents as well, with a regular rotation of classes and events for residents.