PHOTOS BY GENE YUGER

For sisters Karen McKee and Susan Bursby, the home at 419 Forest Ave. in Bellevue has always been more than just a house. 

Bought by their parents in 1989, it was chosen because it was the perfect gathering spot for their large family. 

“It certainly wasn’t a cookie-cutter home from the 1950s or ‘60s,” says McKee. “They could envision the whole family coming together for holidays, family celebrations and casual barbecues.” 

And that’s just what happened over the course of several decades. Bursby notes her parents loved the home, but loved even more when family came to visit them there.    

“My mom and dad made the attic into a kids’ fun dream area,” adds McKee. “They called it the Bat Cave because my son, the only male grandchild, liked superheroes.”

While it’s full of good memories, the sisters have decided to not keep the house they inherited; it needs a new family to enjoy it, they say. Instead, the sisters have invested in custom renovations that make the home stand out from the more basic flips for sale on the market. 

Now listed for $435,000 (down from $450,000 in March), Realtor Katina Hunter of Coldwell Banker says this house gives off literary vibes. 

“When I’m giving tours of this home, I feel like I should have a mint julep in hand,” she says. “It gives off a Great Gatsby feel with the grandiose entry being the first thing you see.”

The list of amenities — a fenced-in yard, two-car garage, stained glass and finished basement — mean the home is more than move-in ready. 

“It seems like an impossible-to-find list of features,” says Hunter. “However, they’re all here in one house.”

Built in 1905, the home has had updates both inside and out. The well-maintained slate roof also should last another century with regular maintenance. A third floor primary suite features double walk-in closets, a jetted tub and the original (but functional) windows. 

“I save this room to show last because I know it’s a show-stopper,” says Hunter. 

The second floor has three more spacious bedrooms, plus two newly renovated full bathrooms; a finished basement with a sunken conversation pit is an unexpected highlight. 

McKee says her favorite feature of the home though is the grand entrance, which sets the tone for the rest of the open, airy, first floor. Her sister agrees. 

“I love the large windows that let in an amazing amount of natural sunlight. I love the grand feeling of the front entry hall,” says Bursby. 

In the time since the sisters inherited the home, they’ve renovated it from top to bottom with crisp, bold design choices and fresh paint throughout. 

Some of the unique details, such as the intricate pattern on the stair risers, are easily customizable, adds Hunter. Most who tour the home love the attention to detail, though.

“If the new owner is opposed to some of the ornate touches, they could easily be modified,” Hunter says. “The decorative stair risers may not be for everybody, but they are secretly just decals. Removing those will only take a few minutes and you easily have a more neutral space.” 

The roomy outdoor area is a rare gem in Bellevue, with a covered patio, flat yard and two-car garage. McKee recalls playing tag with neighborhood friends in the yard and watching her dad tinker over his workbench. 

“The neighbors are friendly and engaging, always up for a quick conversation catching up on each others’ lives over the fence in the backyard,” she says. 

Bursby says she and her sister have put a lot of thought into who will enjoy their parents’ house next. 

“I will miss everything about this home, but most importantly the memories with my family and the time spent with my parents,” she says. “We have lovingly refreshed every room with the new owners in mind. We intentionally used a very neutral palette so that the new owners can easily put their own personal stamp on it with ease.” 

McKee echoes her sister’s hopes for a new family to fill the home with chaos and love, just as they did. 

“I think the next owner will love the safety and peacefulness of the neighborhood, the walkability of the quaint town of Bellevue with unique stores and restaurants and the casual elegance of the home,” she says. 

About: Bellevue
Population: 8,236
Planes, Trains, & Automobiles: Bellevue borders Pittsburgh’s city limits to the north along the Ohio River. Several bus routes pass directly through town and head Downtown, including two standard routes and a commuter express route. Route 65 and the Parkway North border Bellevue on either side, making it a perfect spot for commuting both in or out of the city. The airport is under a 30-minute commute and ride shares are plentiful in the neighborhood. Residents do not need to have a car due to the amount of walkable amenities in town; students walk to school.
Schools: Northgate School District (northgatesd.net)
Neighborhood: Bellevue, which Pittsburgh Magazine just named one of the region’s hot spots, is a walkable, close-knit community that includes a mix of families and young professionals. The neighborhood has every amenity residents could want — including grocery stores, retail shops, a brewery, restaurants and coffee shops. The town is anchored by Bayne Park and Library, where a weekly farmers market features food trucks, live music and local goods. 

Neighborhood data provided by Niche.