This Week in Yinzerlandia

🏡 Real Estate Revelations
July 25, 2025 Edition | Read Online

It’s the last weekend of July, which means:

• Every event this weekend has the words “fest” or “market” in it

• Sellers are sweating price reductions while buyers sip cold brew and wait

• And yeah, you’re probably reading this from your phone… halfway into a tan on some beach across the U.S.

No judgment — you deserve the vacation. But back in Pittsburgh:

• A bold blue beauty in Bloomfield’s sister neighborhood is this week’s standout

• Rates are hanging tight (again), but the market’s not standing still

• Plus, you’ll find goats in the South Side, art in every direction, and the best museum you still haven’t visited

If you're new here, I’m Pittsburgh’s Go-To Realtor, Expert in Luxury Homes & Strategic Real Estate Solutions, and someone who’s proud to combine small-town roots with big-city results. Over the years, I’ve sold millions of dollars worth of real estate, met some incredible people, and had the privilege of helping them buy and sell some truly amazing properties.

Let’s get into it — SPF optional.

🌟 Standout Property: 131 S Aiken Ave — The Big Blue Beauty of Bloomfield

Some homes just stop you in your tracks—and this is one of them.

Welcome to 131 S Aiken Ave, affectionately dubbed the "Big Blue House" of Friendship (Bloomfield’s artsy, residential sister). This 5-bed, 3.5-bath stunner was fully rebuilt down to the studs with thoughtful, high-end craftsmanship. Think: working pocket doors, 5” wide solid oak floors across all 3 levels, foam insulation, zoned HVAC, and every inch smart-lit.

The kitchen alone deserves a round of applause—with Bosch + Frigidaire appliances, a huge island, a beverage fridge, and sunlight beaming in through the southeast-facing windows.

The third floor gives major flex vibes: office, guest suite, exposed brick, sleek new bath, and a family room. Oh, and let’s not skip the spa-like primary suite with a marble shower and cozy sitting nook.

Parking? You got it. With a 1-car garage and parking pad.
Privacy? Surprisingly yes—thanks to a beloved neighboring garden that creates a peaceful buffer.
Location? Absolute 🔥 with easy access to Penn Ave Arts District, Bloomfield’s espresso bars, and the charm of nearby Shadyside & Lawrenceville.

This one’s not just renovated—it’s reimagined.

🔗 See full listing + more pics

📊 Market Snapshot – July 25, 2025

Inventory is holding steady, buyer activity remains consistent, and rates… well, they’re still doing the two-step.

🔍 7-Day Activity (Residential)

🏷️ New Listings: 746
🔁 Back on Market: 139
✅ Sold: 615
📝 Contingent: 534
🔒 Under Contract: 320
🔻 Price Reductions: 684
🆙 Price Increases: 16
❌ Withdrawn: 90 | Expired: 172

🏡 Sold Home Stats

💰 Median Sale Price: $240,000
🧮 Average Sale Price: $285,402
⏳ Average DOM: 44
🔥 SP/LP Ratio: 97.77%

💸 Mortgage Rate Check

📈 30-Year Fixed: 6.81% (+0.03%)
💵 Jumbo: 6.91% | FHA: 6.38% | VA: 6.40%
📉 15-Year Fixed: 6.05%
🔄 7/6 ARM (SOFR): 6.27%

📉 Rates drifted slightly higher this week after a modest rally earlier in the month. Nothing drastic—just more of the slow dance we've seen for months. The Fed’s next moves are still up in the air, and the bond market isn’t showing its hand just yet.

🔥 Real Talk: This Ain’t HGTV — It’s a War Zone Out Here

Let’s be honest:
The market right now is like your ex — unpredictable, hot one minute, cold the next, and somehow still thinks it’s the prize.

To the buyers:
This is your jungle now. Interest rates? High. Inventory? Meh. But guess what? You hold the cards. Sellers are sweating like it’s July in a house with no AC and no offers.
➡️ Use that power.
➡️ Ask for the credits.
➡️ Push for the repairs.
➡️ Don’t settle for a “vintage” bathroom that’s just code for “peach tile nightmare.”

To the sellers:
Stop pretending your outdated kitchen is “retro-chic.” It’s not. If your listing photos show a cat tree in every room and lighting dimmer than a dive bar, don’t act surprised when nobody’s showing up.
You want that top dollar? Then:

✅ Clean like your nosy aunt is visiting.
✅ Paint like you’re covering up all your bad design decisions.
✅ Price like it’s 2025 — not your Zillow dream from 2021.

Bottom line?
The market doesn’t care about your feelings. But it will reward strategy, effort, and a reality check. Bring those — or bring snacks, because it’s gonna be a long sit on the sidelines.

📰 Real Estate Headlines – July 25, 2025

• The pricing standoff is heating up: on average, sellers are now asking $39,000 more than buyers are willing to pay, and instead of adjusting, many are pulling their homes off the market entirely (Yahoo Finance).

• June home sales dropped 2.7%, marking the slowest pace since last fall — yet prices still surged to a record-high median of $435,300, making affordability even more brutal for first-time buyers (CNBC).

• According to Oxford Economics, the housing market is crumbling under the weight of high prices and stagnant demand, and they’re warning of a broader correction unless something gives (Yahoo Finance).

🎉 Happening This Weekend in Pittsburgh

🎶 Allegheny County Summer Concert Series: Ashley Cooke
🗓️ July 25 | 📍South Park Amphitheater
Opening acts Johnny Clawson and Kyle Sturrock kick things off at 7:30 PM. Local food trucks, Hop Farm Brewing, and Black Dog Winery roll in by 6:00 PM. Bring a chair—this one’s open-air, rain or shine.
👉 Event Info

🖼️ Wood Street Galleries Art Crawl Crave
🗓️ July 25 | 📍Wood Street Galleries
A live-mixed mash of industrial, dub, post-punk, and tape noise—courtesy of Cube and curator Adam Keith of Baited Area. A sensory trip and a half.
👉 See More

🎨 Art Mart Pop-Up Fair
🗓️ July 25 | 📍Cultural District
Prints, comics, ceramics, zines, art books, and vegan Korean food from Manduhandu—this one-day-only pop-up market features artists from Pittsburgh, NYC, and Cleveland.
👉 Full Vendor List & Details

🐐 Goat Fest PGH 2025
🗓️ July 26 | 📍South Side Park
What’s better than goats? Goats that eat invasive plants while supporting park restoration. Community-building meets eco-fun at this feel-good outdoor event.
👉 Join the Herd

🥂 Babes & Bubbles
🗓️ July 27 | 📍The Terminal, Strip District
Shop, sip, and brunch your way through this women-led vendor market packed with live music and serious girl power vibes.
👉 Grab the Deets

💎 Pittsburgh Gem Show
🗓️ July 27–28 | 📍Janoski’s Farm & Greenhouse
12,000+ pounds of gems, crystals, fossils, and jewelry. Plus: 100+ crafters, food trucks, and a "Christmas in July" twist. Free admission.
👉 Show Info

🌻 Wildflower Festival at Freedom Farms
🗓️ July 27–28 | 📍Freedom Farms
Tractor rides, sunflower mazes, pony rides, and corn pits. Admission ranges from $10–$20, but the memories? Priceless.
👉 View Details

🧭 Local AF: The Mattress Factory

Art that doesn’t hang on walls—The Mattress Factory is Pittsburgh’s premier contemporary art museum where the installations are as bold as the artists behind them. Housed in a repurposed factory in the North Side, this isn’t your average “look but don’t touch” gallery. Here, you walk into the art. Literally.

Expect the unexpected: mirrored rooms, pitch-dark hallways, disorienting soundscapes, and pieces that make you question everything—perfect for a moody date night or an afternoon escape from reality.

🎨 Pro tip: Your ticket gives you access to multiple buildings, so wear comfy shoes and take your time. The Yayoi Kusama room alone is worth the visit.

This place doesn’t just show you art—it swallows you whole.

📌 TL;DR – July 25, 2025

• 🏠 Standout Property: The bold blue beauty on S Aiken Ave blends timeless elegance with prime city living in Friendship. Check it out.

• 📊 Market Moves: Inventory stays strong, prices are holding, and buyers still rule the game—just don’t expect a bidding war unless your place is flawless.

• 📰 In the News: Sellers are dreaming big with price tags, but buyers? Not so much. Meanwhile, affordability remains a myth.

• 🎉 Events This Weekend: From Ashley Cooke live in South Park to goats in South Side and art raves downtown—it’s a wild weekend out there.

• 🛏️ Local AF: The Mattress Factory isn’t just a museum—it’s an immersive, mind-bending experience you walk through, not past.

👉 Don’t forget: If you're thinking of selling, clean like your mother-in-law's on the way over. Buyers don’t love your mess as much as you do.

📝 Recent Blog Posts you May Have Missed 👇

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Thanks for letting me be a part of your inbox this week! I hope you found these insights helpful, whether you're a curious Pittsburgher, a buyer, a seller, or an investor. As always, I’m here to answer any real estate questions or just chat about the market.

Wishing you a wonderful week ahead,
Tim

Tim Pettigrew
Realtor | eXp Realty
📍 Serving Pittsburgh and Surrounding Areas
📞 412-545-6006 | ✉️ [email protected]
🌐 Visit My Website

Disclaimer:
This email is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a solicitation if your property is currently listed with another broker. All real estate information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Please consult a professional for specific advice.

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