Your 412 Day Survival Guide: Events, Eats, Rates & Real Estate to Watch

^{Pittsburgh Events}

🎉 What’s Happening This Weekend in Pittsburgh?

🖤 Saturday is 412 Day — and the city is showing out

• Bakery Square’s 412 Fest is bringing the heat with live music, trivia, local art, pop-up shops, a scavenger hunt, and even mascot photo ops. Expect high vibes and all things Yinzer.

• Kennywood opens for the season on 412 Day for the first time since the 1930s — new rides, revamped themed areas, and enough Potato Patch fries to feed half the Burgh.

• Studio 4 on Tap at Trace Brewing delivers art, music, Pittsburgh-inspired drinks, and a collaborative local showcase that screams: “Only in the 412.”

• Puppies & Yoga at Javo Studios = instant serotonin. Flow through a light session, then cuddle with adoptable pups. Yes, it’s as cute as it sounds.

• 412 Food Rescue's block party at Velum Fermentation celebrates 10 years of fighting food waste. Expect craft brews, food trucks, flash tattoos, and live mural painting.

🎭 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

• Final weekend to see Jesus Christ Superstar at the Byham Theater — this reimagined rock opera still hits like the first time.

• Brit Floyd recreates the Pink Floyd experience at the Benedum on Saturday with lasers, precision, and a whole lot of nostalgia.

• Stefon Harris & Blackout bring jazz fusion to the Greer Cabaret Theater. Think: vibraphone-led soul meets head-nodding rhythm.

🎶 LIVE MUSIC

• Gerstein Plays Tchaikovsky with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra runs Friday–Sunday at Heinz Hall — a masterclass in drama, emotion, and big energy.

• Kool Keith hits Spirit Hall Friday night with eccentric bars and old-school swagger.

• Kevin Ross brings smooth R&B to City Winery — a perfect lowkey Friday night groove.

🎞️ FILM & CULTURE

• Dive into the Showcase of Brazilian Cinema at the Harris Theater with screenings of Elis & Tom, Black God, White Devil, and Executive Order. A visual and emotional journey, all weekend long.

🐣 FAMILY & KID-FRIENDLY

• The Bunny Trolley at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum runs through Sunday — hop on for crafts, Bunny meet-and-greets, and vintage charm.

• Don’t miss Allegheny County’s Easter egg hunts:
  → Saturday at White Oak Park
  → Sunday at Settlers Cabin
  Registration is required, and spots go fast!

👀 Still looking for plans? See the full event guide →

^{Standout Properties}

🏡 My Standout This Week: 2527 E Mt Royal Rd, Squirrel Hill

There’s just something about these mid-century modern homes that stops me in my tracks. Maybe it's the clean lines. Maybe it’s the way the layout just flows without trying too hard. Whatever it is, you don’t come across homes like this very often—especially not in the city of Pittsburgh, where most of our housing stock dates back to the early 1900s.

Built in the 1960s, this place feels like a unicorn in Squirrel Hill. It’s perched on a peaceful cul-de-sac right near Frick Park, and from the moment you see that brick facade and the way the home sits on the lot—you know it’s different. Garage? Check. Yard? Check. An open layout that doesn’t need to be “opened up”? Big check.

The lower level is another surprise. It’s fully above grade, has its own entrance, and is massive. You’ve got a second kitchen, game room, bedroom, and two additional baths down there. It’s rare to find this kind of functional space that doesn’t feel like a basement.

I love homes that don’t try to blend in—and this one clearly didn’t get the memo.

📍 Squirrel Hill | 🛏 3 Beds | 🛁 5 Baths | 📐 2,100 sq ft | 💰 $825,000
🔗 See more of 2527 E Mt Royal here

^{Local Eats}

🍜 Must-Try Restaurant: Szechuan Express – A Pitt Legacy with Flavor That Hits

Good ol’ Oakland Ave. If you’ve ever gone to Pitt, CMU, worked at UPMC Presby—or honestly just wandered through Oakland hungry—you know this spot.

Szechuan Express is a Pittsburgh staple. Tucked in that bustling stretch of Forbes, it’s been fueling students, med workers, and noodle lovers for decades. I still remember grabbing takeout from here during my time at Pitt—usually something spicy and slurpy between classes or on the go.

Fast forward to now, and the place is still cranking out incredible, authentic Chinese food, but with a modern twist: the owner, Jason, is basically a TikTok celebrity. You can catch him streaming daily as he runs the restaurant, serves regulars, and shows off the behind-the-scenes magic. In fact, I ended up on his TikTok when I stopped in for their legendary roast duck noodle soup — no joke.
🎥 Here’s the video

📍 Szechuan Express, Oakland
🥢 Favorites: Roast duck noodle soup, pork chop over rice, General Tso’s chicken
📖 Full menu here

Whether you're reliving college memories or trying it for the first time, this is one of those places that just sticks with you.

📌 And if you’re looking for more of my go-to eats in the city, I’ve got you: Check out my custom Pittsburgh food map.

📉 Market & Interest Rate Snapshot – March 12, 2025

If this week taught us anything, it’s that the market is on edge. After enjoying some of the lowest mortgage rates in months just last week, we’ve now seen a sharp reversal. Rates are climbing, buyer behavior is mixed, and confidence is getting rattled as national headlines ripple through local activity.

💰 Mortgage Rates (as of 4/11/25)

📌 That’s nearly a half-point jump across the board in just one week—marking one of the most dramatic week-over-week rate increases since last summer.

📊 Market Activity – Pittsburgh (Past 7 Days)

💡 What This Means

🛑 For Buyers:
The drop in rates last week triggered activity—but that window may have slammed shut. With rates back above 7%, affordability is shrinking. If you’re still in the game, rate-lock strategy matters more than ever.

📊 For Sellers:
Listings are still climbing, but sales dipped. That tells us buyers are hitting pause, especially at higher price points. Pricing with precision—and being flexible—will make the difference between “under contract” and “sitting stale.”

🧐 For Everyone:
It’s wild out there. This week alone, we saw markets tumble, rates spike, and consumer confidence shake. Don’t let the headlines dictate your moves—but stay sharp, stay informed, and have a plan.

Thinking about selling this spring? 👉 Curious what your home’s worth in today’s market? Click here to find out.

📌 Special Note: This data includes Allegheny, Butler, Beaver, Washington, and Westmoreland counties. These stats reflect single-family homes only—if you're looking for multi-family investment data, email me!

^{Local Headlines}

🗞️ Popular & Local Headlines

🎢 Kennywood kicks off 127th season this weekend
The iconic Pittsburgh amusement park is back for its 127th season. Expect a revamped Thomas Town, new family attractions, and fresh energy from its new owner, Herschend Family Entertainment. If you haven’t been in a while, this might be your sign to go.

🛠️ New report reveals top remodeling projects for ROI & homeowner happiness
NAR’s 2025 Remodeling Impact Report shows kitchen upgrades, roof replacements, and new steel front doors topping the charts. Pro tip: A simple bathroom reno may offer a better return than you’d think.

🌄 Two Pittsburgh-area towns named best in the Northeast
Ohiopyle took the #1 spot and Sewickley landed at #4 in USA Today’s list of best small towns in the region. One’s a nature lover’s paradise, the other’s a picture-perfect main street town — both are worth a spring weekend visit.

🧱 Pirates catch heat over missing ‘Bucco Bricks’
Turns out, fan-purchased bricks once displayed at PNC Park have been quietly removed (again) and relocated to a local recycling yard. Team officials say a more permanent solution is coming... eventually. Fans? Not happy.

📉 Markets rally after Trump tariff pause (kind of)
President Trump’s 90-day pause on most tariffs — with the exception of increased tariffs on Chinese goods — sent stocks soaring. Real estate markets also responded positively. Temporary relief or calm before the storm?

🧠 Real Estate Tip of the Week

The #1 Mistake First-Time Buyers Make?
Waiting until they “feel ready.”

Here’s what they don’t tell you:
You don’t need perfect credit.
You don’t need 20% down.
And you definitely don’t need to have it all figured out.

You just need a starting point.
➡️ Take the 60-second Game Plan for Homeownership and see how close you really are.

Your future home might be a lot closer than you think.

📝 Recent Blog Posts You May Have Missed

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🏡 Real Estate Revelations: Fresh Market Trends & Weekend Highlights
Get the latest insights on Pittsburgh’s housing market and what’s happening around town. Catch up here →