There's a lot of debate in the neighborhood recently about whether or not the market in West Deutschtown will support $200K and above houses. I have also had my doubts, but again and again those doubts are erased by new sales. Five eleven Tripoli Street is a new example. I recently noticed that a sale is in progress. I don't know the details, but the home was listed at $199,900. Likewise 1010 Cedar, a large home that needs renovated, is graced with a sold sign. The listing price was $149,900.

Market examples of homes that sold for more than $200,000 include five sixteen Lockhart which sold for $210,000. Four seventeen Lockhart sold for $254,500 this year as well.

But those are renovations of Victorian homes South of East Ohio Street, an area that is perceived as having fewer rough edges.

The two contingencies I first mentioned are North of East Ohio, and one isn't even renovated. And we still ahve the example of new construction sales north of East Ohio. One thousand two Middle Street sold for $188,000 in 2003. Add five percent a year for inflation and that's more than $205,000 in today's dollars.

There remain the matter of three unsold homes renovated by the East Allegheny Community Council that are also North of East Ohio. A look back shows this neighborhood has frequently been ahead of the market, and while some homes stay on the market for long periods of time, they do eventually sell.

Perhaps I am just in an optimistic mood today, but looking back, I'd guess new homes developed today and listed at $200,000 or more are closer to market reality than $150,000 homes listed in 2002.

Existing home sales are up, new home sales are down, condo sales are back up... it's credited to the weather, but wouldn't a warm January put all sales up? Perhaps it's showing the market favorability of existing homes in more central locations where there isn't much new construction. That would help explain why condo sales are also up.

The Commerce Department reported that sales of new single-family homes dropped by 10.5 percent in February. Previously on the downslide, sales of condominiums and co-ops were up again, this time by 8.8 percent in February and sales of existing single-family homes were up 4.7 percent.

I have an inclination that what we could be seeing here is a failure of development to keep up with an increasing demand for housing that's smaller, more efficient, low maintenance and centrally located near transportation and amenities.

I'll be on the lookout for supporting evidence.

I read in Pop City this morning that Brighton Heights is planning to construct a grand entrance to the neighborhood, which includes a traffic circle. Brighton Heights went up on my scale of a livable neighborhoods earlier this year when I discovered The Vault, a coffee shop, had opened on California Avenue.

When I read the article this morning, I had the idea that a traffic circle which once existed next to the McKees Rocks Bridge was being recreated. It turns out that's not the case (the new circle will be a block or so away,) but still recalls an earlier desire to make things look good. Yes, there was a time when function followed form!

I don't mean to bring into question the function of traffic circles. They are of course aethstetically pleasing. They're also functional once the locals learn how to use them.

In any case, creating an entry way for Brighton Heights is a welcome idea.

If you haven't discovered it, it's worth a look. I was there on Monday visiting a client who was busy restoring a very large home. What a task! I would think the results will be quite satisfying.

There are also some condo's available in buildings designed by a noted architect (Osterling) just steps from the coffee shop.

If you don't know where Brighton Heights is, soon it will be easier to find. If you'd like to check out some properties there, give me a call at 412-322-2000.

I just heard about another artist who had moved to Pittsburgh. This one is a costume designer from Germany. Earlier this month I had taken picture-frame restoration classes from a French guilder, also now a Pittsburgher (he says his wife liked it here). Later today I'll meet up again with a San Franciscan who works in the opera there. She hasn't taken the plunge of becoming a full-time Pittsburgher, but she has purchased a home here.

I often hear Pittsburghers downplay the qualities of the city they both love and love to make fun of. I used to hear the question "why?" from Pittsburghers who had found out I had moved here after six years in San Francisco (I had lived in Pittsburgh previously). Today fewer are asking that questions, and even less are laughing.

The Pittsburgh landscape has inspired artists for generations. Andy Warhol might have left, but before him there was George Hetzel, Mary Cassatt and others. Today Pittsburgh's art scene is thriiving from Penn Avenue in Garfield to Penn Avenue downtown, Sampsonia Way, Regent Square and throughout the city. I know there's a significant cluster of artists on Spring Hill.

There perhaps two are two reasons they are coming. The first is the obvious beauty of the city and landscape (obvious to everyone but natives!) The second is the affordability and attractiveness of the city's building stock. There's a lot of great space in this place.