PHOTOS BY ROSEANNE R. MARTIN | PENNSYLVANIA REAL ESTATE PHOTOGRAPHY

Downsizing isn’t easy; It’s hard to get rid of things that have sentimental value, harder to get rid of things you paid “good money” for — and even harder to justify that it really needs to be done at all. 

For every homeowner who successfully makes the transition, there are just as many who cannot. 

That’s the story of 313 Woodbridge Drive in Ross, which is listed for $199,900 (MLS# 1527935, Garrett Freund, Piatt Sotheby’s International Realty, piattsothebysrealty.com). 

Realtor Garrett Freund sold the townhouse to its current owners just six months ago. 

“They bought this unit with the intention of downsizing from a 3,500-square-foot home to this 1,300-square-foot townhouse,” he says. “They were going through the process and decided it was just too difficult to part with their belongings, so they have decided to stay put for now.” 

While the couple started renovations on the space, they never moved in. Built in 1978, the two-bedroom, 1½-bathroom unit is an anomaly in the popular townhome community. 

“The unit had the footprint for the three-bedroom model, but the original owners who bought into the community wanted two massive bedrooms instead,” Freund says.

The tudor-style townhome is spread over three levels of living. The main level has a one-car garage, a large closet and a utility/laundry room. 

The second level features a remodeled kitchen tackled by the unit’s original owners just three years ago. It has a cantilevered island that seats four, new cherry cabinets, granite countertops and a new stainless appliance package.  

A large living room offers plenty of space for entertaining, and there’s an attached bonus area that can be used as an additional dining room or a roomy home office.

New laminate flooring and carpet on the stairs, upstairs bedrooms and hallways take away a huge expense for the next owner. 

The owners “also upgraded several electrical items, including installing new ceiling fans and smart switches upstairs,” Freund says. “The living room has been repainted.” 

Wearing wallpaper with a beach theme, the powder room has an updated vanity and sink. 

Upstairs, the main bathroom was completely renovated several years ago and features a walk-in shower with a bench seat and handshower and a gray vanity topped with black granite. The walls are a soft Caribbean blue. 

While pricing in many new townhome communities has gone up — entry-level prices typically start in the $300,000 range — the older Woodbridge neighborhood has a lot going for it beyond a more palatable price point. 

Because the home is located on Thompson Run near the intersection of Babcock Boulevard, residents are able to avoid the traffic on the main roads, including busy McKnight Road. It also is located just three miles from Ross Park Mall. 

“You can get Downtown in less than 10 minutes on a normal day, it’s quick to the airport and, if you take Babcock, you are in Millvale and Lawrenceville in 10 to 15 minutes,” Freund says. 

The community itself is heavily wooded with mature trees, walking trails and other amenities, including a swimming pool and a community room. 

“It has been established for so long. It is in a really great location,” Freund says. “The only comparable plan is the Mews on Upper McKnight.”  

The realtor also points out that there is a lot of privacy in Woodbridge.

“With all of the trees and the design, you are virtually assured you will not be staring at a neighbor on one side,” he says. “You have complete and total privacy in the back. That is not happening in the new townhome plans.” 

The HOA fee of $305 per month covers snow removal, road maintenance, landscaping and exterior maintenance, including painting, roofs, decks, trash removal and pool maintenance.

“A lot of people are enamored with new builds, but you get a lot here that a new build just can’t offer,” Freund says.  

Hot Property is 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. And four times a year, Hot Property gives an in-depth look at the region’s real estate market in Pittsburgh Magazine HOME, tracking housing prices and sales and detailing where the hot properties can be found. Rosa can be reached at onecordovaroad@gmail.com.