Located just minutes away from the Five Points intersection of Wilkins Avenue and Beechwood Boulevard in Squirrel Hill, the up/down duplex at 1430-1432 Severn Street presents an opportunity to become both homeowner and landlord in one of Pittsburgh’s most desirable neighborhoods. 

The completely remodeled, all-brick, Tudor-style property is listed for $625,000 with Fred Harr of Howard Hanna Real Estate (MLS# 1548556). It is open by appointment. 

Owner Meagan Carpenter says her parents bought the rental property more than 30 years ago — and she also has lived there.  

“I was working Downtown and going to graduate school,” she says. “I remember when I lived there you would be able to smell the baking coming up from the old Nabisco Plant [at Bakery Square on Penn Avenue].”

These days, you can get a baked treat simply by walking around the corner to the family-owned Five Points Artisan Bakeshop. The property is also within walking distance of the Squirrel Hill business district with restaurants and shops, Mellon and Frick parks and the historic Homewood Cemetery.

The attractive exterior has two large, two-story columns as a distinctive design detail.  Behind each column are arched entry doors to the separate units. The porch floor is painted a bright cherry red. 

The first-floor unit has new luxury vinyl plank flooring and a new fireplace façade in a statement-making black granite. Through another arched entry is the dining room. 

Just beyond, the kitchen has new white Shaker-style cabinets, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and a lovely neutral backsplash. The entire interior also has been repainted, including doors, ceiling, walls and trim. 

The showroom-fresh bathroom features a white-on-white vanity with extra storage and gray walls. The tub features a built-in tile surround, new bath fixtures and built-in shelving. 

The two bedrooms are generously sized and have large windows that let in plenty of natural light.

“All of the renovations were done in the last 18 months,” Carpenter says. “Everything is new, and I hired a contractor to do the work. The home was dated and needed a complete refresh before it was sold.”  

The second-floor unit has all of the same updates and features as the first floor but includes a small third bedroom with the potential to be a home office or nursery.  It also features a pretty covered balcony accessed through a pair of French doors.

Each unit has its own washer and dryer and radiator gas heating. There are window air conditioners but no central air. The rear has a small, fenced-in yard. 

Carpenter says her family never had trouble finding renters for the units, and now that they are completely updated, she believes they will be in even more demand. The new owners (and renters) will also have the benefit of longtime neighbors. 

“When I came back after 25 years and visited the property, the neighbor recognized me,” Carpenter says. “It was so nice.”

About: Squirrel Hill  (shuc.org)
Population: 15,110
Planes, Trains & Automobiles: A 27-minute commute to the airport. Daily transport via Port Authority bus. Street parking.
Schools:  City of Pittsburgh (pittsburghschools.org).
Neighborhoods: One of the city’s most popular neighborhoods, Squirrel Hill’s tree-lined streets are home to several business districts and parks. The community is tight-knit and diverse, making it a popular place to call home for long-time homeowners, students and newcomers alike.