When Everything Feels Like a Grind

Oct. 18, 2025 Edition | Read Online

It’s one of those gray October Saturdays — chilly, quiet, and perfect for taking stock. The kind of day where you realize fall’s here for real, and maybe life’s been throwing a few curveballs lately. But hey, that’s the season for it — messy, unpredictable, and still pretty good if you just keep showing up.

If you’re new here — I’m Tim Pettigrew, Pittsburgh’s go-to Realtor. I’ve sold millions in real estate and helped folks buy and sell some amazing homes. Now, I’m giving you the pulse of the 412 (814 & 724) every week.

1 day late but STILL here with this weeks Pittsburgh news! Added a bit of halloween/pumpkin flare, hope you like it!

🏡 Market Watch

Rates barely budged this week, holding near their lowest levels in almost three years. After weeks of movement, the calm feels like a deep breath for both buyers and sellers heading into late October.

30-yr fixed: 6.23% ( 0.00%)
15-yr fixed: 5.81% (+0.01%)
FHA: 5.99% (+0.01%)
VA: 6.01% (+0.02%)

Allegheny County Numbers (Oct 11 – 18):
🏠 New listings: 724 ( down from 792 )
🔻 Price reductions: 803 ( steady trend of corrections )
✅ Closed sales: 512 ( off from 579 last week )
⏱ Days on market: 48 avg | 33 median

National & Local Signals:
🏦 Rates are holding just above three-year lows — a rare plateau that could give buyers breathing room as the Fed eyes its next move.
🏗 Nationally, housing starts are expected to dip slightly as builders pivot toward smaller, more affordable projects.
📉 Locally, Allegheny County’s median price ($244K) remains nearly flat week-to-week, but list-to-sale ratios are still strong at 98.5%.
💡 Inventory continues to tick down as we head into the holiday window — a seasonal slowdown that may benefit well-priced homes still on the market.

The Bigger Picture:
After a rollercoaster summer, the fall market feels balanced — steady rates, motivated buyers, and sellers getting real about pricing. There’s no panic in the air — just a quiet shift toward what feels normal again.

👉 Translation: No wild swings, no meltdowns — just a stable October market that rewards consistency and smart pricing. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to list before winter, this might be it.

🏠 Yinz. Gotta See This

If sophistication had an address, it’d be 6324 Marchand Street — a Shadyside stunner that perfectly marries historic character with refined, modern design.

Inside, the details are everything: crisp trim, soaring ceilings, and a statement fireplace that feels like art. The palette is bold but balanced, blending deep hues and sleek textures for a timeless city feel. The kitchen? A showstopper — custom cabinetry, Thermador appliances, a butler’s pantry, and space to entertain without ever leaving the conversation.

With 6 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, and nearly 3,800 sq ft, this home offers flexibility for families, creatives, or anyone craving breathing room without leaving the heart of the East End. The top floor’s tucked-away bonus rooms and the fenced backyard with deck and two-car garage make it as practical as it is polished.

And the location? Steps from Walnut Street’s cafés and boutiques, a short stroll to Bakery Square, and surrounded by the kind of tree-lined architecture that makes Shadyside one of Pittsburgh’s most admired neighborhoods.

Quick Hits
💰 Price: $1,850,000
📍 Neighborhood: Shadyside
🏡 Year Built: 1920 | Style: Victorian Elegance
🛏️ 6 Beds | 4.5 Baths | 3,700+ Sq Ft
🚗 Two-Car Garage | Fenced Yard | Deck
🔥 Custom Kitchen | Modern Fireplace | Bold Design Touches
🗓️ Open House: Sunday, Oct. 19, 1–3 PM

🔗 Take a Closer Look →

✍️ Personal Note: There’s just something about a home in Shadyside that commands quiet admiration — and this one’s elegance makes it easy to see why the neighborhood’s still one of Pittsburgh’s crown jewels.

🍺 Pittsburgh Life

Some interesting stories that caught my attention.

Quick Hits:

• Quick Hits:

  • Women We Admire Announces Top 50 Women Leaders of Pittsburgh for 2025

  • Penn Avenue bike 🚲 lane project moving forward in Pittsburgh's Strip District.

  • 🏈 Pitt takes on Syracuse Orange (away), tonight at 7:30 PM. Will they crack under pressure or ride off into the sunset with win.

  • No flight boost yet after PIT's $1.7B upgrade

🎡 What’s Rolling This Weekend

No Steelers game means Pittsburgh’s stage is wide open — and this weekend, it’s packed with everything from holiday markets to haunted lights.

• 🎦 Pittsburgh Public Theater’s Noises Off (Oct 1–19, O’Reilly Theater – Downtown)
  Regarded as the ultimate theatrical farce, Noises Off is a riot of slamming doors, backstage chaos, and hilarious meltdowns. Watch a troupe of hapless actors try to hold it together as everything that can go wrong… does.

• 🎭 Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show (Oct 14–Nov 8, Greer Cabaret Theater – Cultural District)
  A cult classic live on stage — sci-fi, seduction, and rock ’n’ roll rebellion collide as Brad and Janet stumble into Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s mansion. Bring your energy (and maybe a costume).

• 🎄 31st Annual Pennsylvania Arts & Crafts Christmas Festival (Oct 17–19 & 25–26, Washington County Fairgrounds)
  Over 200 vendors with handcrafted gifts, décor, and delicious treats. Family fun, live music, and enough holiday spirit to get even the grinchiest Yinzer in the mood.

• 🐶 Bark or Treat (Oct 17, Hartwood Acres Park Dog Park – Allison Park)
  Dress your pup for Howl-o-ween! A tennis-ball treasure hunt, treats, and prizes for the best-dressed dogs. Noon – 2 p.m., free to attend.

• 💦 The Last Splash (Oct 18, Allegheny Landing Park – North Shore)
  The Shore Thing season wraps up with one final riverfront party — live music, food trucks, and playful art activations celebrating a summer well spent.

• 🧙 Witch Fest 2025 (Oct 18, Monongahela Aquatorium)
  The 8th Annual Witch Festival brings 70+ vendors of oddities and curiosities. Costumes welcome, dancing encouraged — maybe leave the little ones at home for this one.

• 🎃 Jack O’Lantern Extravaganza (Through Oct 31, Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium – Highland Park)
  Thousands of hand-carved pumpkins light the paths for a nighttime stroll that blends Halloween magic with artistry.

🍂 Weekend Pick: Start classy with Noises Off downtown, swing by Hartwood Acres for costumed pups, then close the night glowing at the Zoo’s pumpkin wonderland.