PHOTOS BY PENNSYLVANIA REAL ESTATE PHOTOGRAPHY

When Morgan Pease and her family were being transferred to the Pittsburgh area for work, they secured a realtor to help find them a home. 

Typically, that would be no big deal, but this was in the beginning of 2021, when the coronavirus pandemic was in full swing — and home prices were starting to skyrocket thanks to a combination of a high demand and low housing inventory. 

The brick, four-bedroom, three and ½ bathroom home the family found at 201 English Drive in Cranberry checked all their boxes, but there was no opportunity for a conventional tour.

“We had our realtor walk through it with FaceTime and bought it right there, sight unseen. It had the layout and the space and the amenities,” Pease says. “We moved in two years ago, Memorial Day weekend. Now we have been relocated back to where we came from.” 

The house is listed for $765,000 (MLS#1599100, Emily Wilhelm, Piatt Sotheby’s International Realty, sothebysrealty.com). It is open by appointment. 

Built in 2004, the home sits on 3/4 of an acre and boasts a lot of nice amenities, including a convenient location between Goehring and Franklin roads that provides easy access to the region’s interstates without hitting heavy traffic. It’s also close to North Boundary Park and the many shopping options along routes 19 and 228.

“The neighborhood is very welcoming,” Pease says. “The neighbors are warm to someone who is not from the area.” 

Despite only living two years in the home, the family added many appealing updates, including a dreamy custom dressing room created by Inspired Closets by Tom. 

“I wanted a functional space and [for it] to look like a boutique,” Pease says. “It has two shoe walls, a center island, jewelry drawers and more. There is a fireplace in the corner to warm it all up. It is going to be pretty hard to leave it.” 

The closet opens to a full bathroom with a large soaking tub, double vanity sinks and a large, separate shower. New light fixtures make the space bright. 

“We painted the entire interior with a pretty appealing color palette, and light fixtures have been updated in several spaces,” Pease says.  

On the first level, the entry’s warm, light greige color palette with white trim creates a cozy vibe. To the left, a sitting room decorated in shades of blue, white and gray has new carpet underfoot. The space is a favorite for Pease. 

“It’s a toss-up between that and the family room,” she says.  

Across the hall, the formal dining room has a tray ceiling, panel wainscoting and soft blue walls complemented by a sphere-shaped light fixture. The eat-in kitchen features granite countertops, stainless-steel appliances and a double oven. 

It opens to a family room outfitted with new carpet and plantation shutters on the windows. There’s also a brick fireplace with a gas insert.  

The executive home office features floor-to-ceiling, custom wall paneling and a bookshelf illuminated by ceiling spotlights. Two double-hung windows offer views of the backyard, making a great work-from-home setup.  

Upstairs, the four bedrooms include the spectacular primary suite. Painted a pale blue, the room’s high tray ceiling showcases a new ceiling fan with a drum pendant light. The three other bedrooms include a nursery decorated in calm, neutral colors.  

Painted sage green, the partially finished basement features plenty of bonus space, including a wall with built-in shelves, a tray ceiling and a fireplace. There’s also the setup for a bar, including a niche for a refrigerator. The large, unfinished half of the basement is outfitted as a home gym. 

“There is so much space, you could put in another whole bedroom and bathroom if you wanted to,” Pease says.  

The sizable driveway with a regulation basketball hoop leads to a three-car garage. The level rear yard has room for a patio set; there’s also an automated sunsetter awning that keeps the space cool and dry for three-season use. 

Pease says the neighborhood is very active and hosts an annual Easter egg hunt as well as a yearly block party. 

“Halloween was also a lot of fun,” she adds.

Growing up in Cleveland, Pease admits the only thing she knew about Pittsburgh was its sports rivalry with her hometown, but she soon grew to love the area.   

“We explored the city, taking in dining in Lawrenceville and the Strip; visited the Heinz History Center, Pittsburgh Zoo — and we really enjoyed North Park and walking the lake,” she says. “All in all, it has been a very pleasant surprise.” 

Drawing on her years of experience covering the region’s real estate industry, Rosa Colucci 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. Rosa can be reached at onecordovaroad@gmail.com.

About: Cranberry (cranberrytownship.org)
Population: 33,096
Planes, Trains & Automobiles: A 40-minute commute to the airport.
School: The award-winning Seneca Valley School District (svsd.net) boasts the SV Academy of Choice and the new, cutting edge Ehrman Crest elementary and middle school, which Time Magazine named one of its Best Inventions for 2022.  It also has a thriving theater and musical arts program, competitive sports and an AP-class curriculum at the high school level. 
Neighborhood: Located in Butler County, Cranberry is one of the fastest-growing areas in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. Founded in 1804, the township earned its name from the abundant cranberries that once thrived along Brush Creek in the 1800s. Once a rural outpost, Cranberry today has a thriving community life that features recreational programming for children to seniors, youth camps and family activities that include movies, holiday celebrations and concerts.