This is the Perfect Little Starter Home — Or Investment Property | Pittsburgh Magazine

When Oren Jackson and his business partner, Avi Harow, first stumbled across the home located at 11 East Sycamore St. on Mount Washington, it needed a great deal of work — but they saw its potential. 

Long interested in investing in short-term rentals, the pair bought the home and began renovations that would increase the property’s size and make it livable for guests. 

While the century-plus-old building has certainly stood the test of time — contractors removed newspapers dated from the 1880s from inside the fireplace during renovations — there was little that could be salvaged, says Jackson. Instead, the duo hired a team to renovate the home from top to bottom, with a few exceptions. 

“My favorite feature is the front door,” Jackson says. “It is older, and we were able to refinish it and continue to use it.” 

Beyond that, Jackson and Harow enlisted the skills of architect Ryan England of citySTUDIO, LLC and construction group Pittsburgh Modern Restorations to nearly double the size of the home. 

Listed for $300,000, the 1,300-square-foot, two-bedroom home is compact, but cozy. The main floor includes a large living room and eat-in kitchen. While there’s no dedicated dining room, the kitchen is spacious and has room for a full-sized table. 

The second floor of the home features the primary bedroom while the second bedroom is tucked into a loft space in the rear of the home. The pair wanted to make the property work for families or larger parties visiting Pittsburgh, so they got creative when expanding the bedroom space. 

Realtor Michael Pohlot of Pittsburgh’s Hardest Working Realty Team says the loft really enhances the property. “My own personal favorite is the upstairs loft, with plenty of light coming into the home.” 

Beyond the new finishes and increased space, Jackson says he and Harow replaced all of the home’s mechanics; there are no surprises hidden behind fresh sheetrock. From utility lines to HVAC and plumbing, the pair took their time in an effort to complete quality restorations. Jackson says their goal was to avoid the quick flips that they’ve seen other investors attempt. 

“From the foundation up, everything is new,” he says. “We insulated as well. It’s like a new house now.” 

The duo also chose high-end finishes, including marble countertops and stainless steel appliances in the kitchen. These touches are not only lovely, but withstand the wear-and-tear of vacation home usage. 

Neutral colors throughout work perfectly for a rental — and also provide a full-time resident with a blank slate to make their own design choices — while a new deck off the back of the home provides a perfect hangout spot that’s easily accessible from the kitchen. 

Jackson says the property has been popular on Airbnb, which the pair attributes to its prime location. 

“We are just a half block from the great Shiloh Street shops,” he says. “It is walking distance to the incline and easy to access Downtown. The beautiful skyline is a tourist attraction, too.” 

The owners have had positive experiences with their guests; Jackson adds a future owner could easily live in the home — or continue to rent it out. 

“If circumstances hadn’t changed, we would not be attempting to sell it,” he says. “It’s a great house.” 

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: Mount Washington
Population: 8,592
Planes, Trains, & Automobiles: Few places in Pittsburgh are as centrally located as Mount Washington. A quick trip down the hill provides access to all of the city’s major arteries, and both inclines run directly from Grandview Avenue to parts of Station Square (the Duquesne Incline descends farther up the Mon River toward the Point at 1197 W. Carson St.). Several bus routes through the region and a walkable business district with a grocery store mean residents of Mount Washington do not necessarily need a car.
Schools: Pittsburgh Public Schools (pghschools.org)
Neighborhood: Mount Washington has a vibrant, walkable business district with both sit-down and quick service restaurants. Many young professionals call the neighborhood home due to the easy commute and vibrant nightlife, but there are also many families with children in the community. It is ranked as one of the top 10 Pittsburgh neighborhoods to buy a home in, with a strong camaraderie among residents and plentiful green space for recreation. 

Neighborhood data provided by Niche.com