After exploring historic Pittsburgh estates, a sleek city condo and a stunning stone Tudor-style home in Mt. Lebanon with an indoor pool, Hot Property this week is focusing on a charming neighborhood that often flies under the radar — Bellevue. 

The three-bedroom, one-bathroom home for sale at 38 S. Fremont Ave. is classic Pittsburgh. Built in 1915, the century-old property also is just blocks from the shops and restaurants of Lincoln Avenue.

Owner Sherry McGinnis says she only is selling the home because she is taking on more caregiving duties for an aging family member. She has listed it at $237,000 (MLS# 1547215, Jennifer Waters, Howard Hanna Real Estate, howardhanna.com). It is open by appointment. 

Adding character to the yellow-sided home is a front porch with a stone façade and the original terracotta tile floor. McGinnis says it’s also a great gathering spot to take in live music being played at Revival on Lincoln, a fine-dining restaurant housed in a historic building. 

“On Saturdays, I would sit on the porch to listen,” McGinnis says. “The neighbors would be walking up, and I would invite them up. It is always such a nice evening.”

Inside, the welcoming feeling continues, thanks to new windows on the sun-filled first floor and a spacious layout.

“I walk in and I just feel like I am home,” McGinnis says. “You can see the living room, dining room, kitchen and the sunroom. It is like an open concept because the doorways are so wide.” 

The 16-by-12-square-foot living room is centered by the original stacked stone fireplace and hardwood floors, which McGinnis discovered after having the carpets pulled up. 

“When the refinishers came, they said it was the first time the floors had ever been touched,” McGinnis says. “For a 100-year-old home, I was shocked.” 

The 15-by-12-square-foot dining room features a coffered ceiling and a bank of windows. The light-filled front sunroom, which has seven windows, was used as an office during the pandemic. 

“It was just great to sit in there and watch the snow fall,” McGinnis says. 

The kitchen has solid oak cabinets, formica countertops, a stainless-steel sink and new appliances. The luxury vinyl plank floors installed by McGinnis are easy to maintain.  

Upstairs are three generously sized bedrooms as well as an updated bathroom with a new vanity and light fixtures. 

“I loved [my] huge bedroom. It has a walk-in closet in the bedroom, then a second walk-in closet,” McGinnis says. “It is really unusual for an older home.” 

The basement has dry storage, laundry and utility space. The home also has radiator heating. 

In the rear of the building is a one-car, integral garage and a flat, fenced-in backyard that’s perfect for a small pet. 

McGinnis adds her neighbors, whom she often met at Bellevue’s restaurants, are what she’ll miss most about the area. 

“I have a retired policeman next door who looks out for me and a neighbor down the street who takes care of the pets,” she says. “Saturdays, when I head to 202 [Hometown Tacos], I always run into friends. It is just a nice homey town.” 

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. 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.

About: Bellevue (bellevuepa.org)
Population: 8,370
Planes, Trains & Automobiles: A 21-minute commute to the airport. Daily transport via Port Authority. Street parking. Rideshare.
Schools: Northgate School District (northgatesd.net).
Neighborhood: Incorporated in 1867, the tiny borough is just 1 square mile — but it packs a punch. There is a public library, three public parks and a public swimming pool. The business district running along Lincoln Avenue features the popular Lincoln Bakery. Recent additions to the food scene include the Lincoln Brewery, 202 Hometown Taco and classic local restaurants such as Joe’s Rusty Nail, Thai Tamarind and Grille 565. Bellevue is popular for many first-time homebuyers who are attracted by the affordable housing, public transit options and the high walkability score.