PHOTOS BY PREP SOLUTIONS

From the street at least, 7711 Kifer Lane appears to be a typical, well-kept brick home in North Huntingdon.

A double front door welcomes guests into a spacious and bright living space, and the nicely updated home only sprawls out from there. A living room at the front of the house gives off cabin vibes thanks to a bay window, vaulted ceiling and wooden beams.

A family room off the kitchen offers even more gathering space for game nights, parties or movie nights. The main kitchen (yes, there’s more than one, but more on that later) is designed for entertaining, with easy access to the family and dining rooms.

The warm wooden cabinets and dark stone countertops feel cozy and inviting, and there’s no shortage of space; stainless steel appliances, including a stainless range hood and pot filler behind the cooktop, help make the kitchen a home chef’s dream.

Upstairs, the original portion of the home has four spacious bedrooms, including three with ensuite bathrooms (there are 7 ½ .bathrooms total in the home). A craft room with built-in workspace and a sink could also be converted into a fifth bedroom. Walk-in closets and built-in storage are found throughout the home, including a massive walk-in closet in the primary suite.

But beyond the original portion of the home is where the fun really begins.

Owner Nick Costa, who purchased the home in 2014 from a family friend, says there is something for everyone on the property. From the indoor pool accompanied by a second kitchen, gas fireplace, and pizza oven to the seven garage bays and bullet-proof panic room located in the basement of the home (Yep, you read that right; It’s even got a landline), the home’s interior is full of surprises at every turn.

While the Costa family has enjoyed many parts of living in this one-of-a-kind house for a decade, the indoor pool tops their list.

“Being indoors, it’s very low maintenance, requiring only monthly chemicals and filter cleaning semi-annually,” Costa says. “The extremely low maintenance, plus the 365-day access to private swimming for exercise and relaxation, adds so much value.”

Realtor Jeni Drass of RE/MAX Select Realty has now listed the home for $749,000. She says the property is well constructed and maintained.

“Mechanically, everything is in solid working order, and the seller has taken great care of the property,” she says.

The finishes, paint choices and fixtures in the home’s various rooms have all been refreshed recently. In particular, Drass says she loves how the home gym is adjacent to the pool, envisioning post-workout cooldown dips.

“It’s truly move-in ready for the right buyer who wants to add their personal touch over time,” she says.

The house is also perfect for families who like toys — big ones.

“The garages are perfect for someone who enjoys having a vehicle for every occasion,” Drass says. “Whether it’s parking a sporty car for sunny days, storing ATVs or snowmobiles, or space to tinker on a hobby vehicle, there’s plenty of space here to do that.”

Costa, who grew up in North Huntingdon, says Kifer Lane is so quiet and serene that he didn’t even know it existed as a kid. Now, he’s come to appreciate that solitude as well as the wildlife that parades through their yard regularly.

While the home is secluded, there are some two-legged neighbors nearby.

“They are all amazing, and many are close friends,” says Costa. “We very often help each other with projects or share time around a fire, chatting.”

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: North Huntingdon
Population: 31,806
Planes, Trains, & Automobiles: Located in Westmoreland County, North Huntingdon is about 30 to 40 minutes from the city of Pittsburgh and is a large suburban community where most residents need a car. The Pittsburgh International Airport is about an hour drive, but the regional Arnold Palmer Regional Airport is just about 30 minutes away.
Schools: Norwin School District (norwinsd.org)
Neighborhood: With a suburban feel, North Huntingdon is made up of various housing communities and rural homes. There is a large variety of national chain restaurants and retail spots as well as plenty of parks. Of note, North Huntingdon is the home of the Big Mac — there’s even a quirky museum dedicated to it.