From French doors, to original hardwood floors and stone fire places, we scoured the market for the top five most charming homes for sale in Pittsburgh right now. Keep reading to find out more about these gorgeous homes from Highland Park to Mount Lebanon and everywhere in between!

What makes this home charming: Right from the start, the striking blue paint accents on the outside are eye-catching. Add in plenty of French doors, refinished hardwood floors, a fireplace in the living room, original built-ins, a decorative fireplace in the dining room, and a built-in china closet and you have one very charming home. The updated kitchen also features the original pantry and powder room. See the full listing here.

What makes this home charming: This three story Victorian stunner has its original brick and stone facade and includes unique architectural features such as stained glass windows, original woodwork, high ceilings, marble fireplace mantles in living and dining areas, and a backyard garden and patio. See the full listing here. 

What makes this home charming: This 18th century castle-inspired brick Tudor is full of old world charm with two Juliet balconies, soaring ceilings, and a turret staircase. The living room features a cathedral ceiling, balcony, stained glass, a stone fireplaces, and a crystal chandelier. Beamed cathedral ceilings, French doors, palladium windows, an open concept turret staircase, and much more all add to the charm in this beautiful home. See the full listing here.

If you're on the hunt for a charming home in or around the Pittsburgh area, our team of experienced real estate agents is here to help. Check out our About Us Page to learn more!

Maybe you've heard of the tiny house trend from a friend, or perhaps you've seen the television shows: Tiny House Hunters, Tiny House Nation, Tiny House Builders, Tiny House, Big Living, and more. Maybe you're just hearing of this unique movement in the real estate industry. 

The tiny house movement is an architectural and social movement that promotes living simply in smaller-than-average homes. There isn't a set definition as to what constitutes a tiny house, but it is generally accepted that any home under 1,000 square feet is considered a small home, while any home less than 400 square feet is considered a tiny home.

In 1950, the average size of a new single family home was 983 square feet. Home sizes have been growing since then, with the average size of a new single family home being reported at 2,662 square feet in 2013. It's no wonder many people are perplexed by the growing popularity of the tiny house movement. We did some research and found out the driving forces behind the tiny house trend. ​

It should come as no surprise that a tiny house has a smaller price tag than a mansion. The money saved on one's mortgage can be used for other purposes. According to the Huffington Post, a tiny house usually costs homebuyers $20,000 to $50,000. 

​Not only are tiny homes generally less expensive, taxes, building costs, heating, maintenance, and repair costs are also lower the smaller a home is. 

Some tiny home owners report that they chose their new abode in order to live a more simple life. Less clutter, minimalism, self-sufficiency, financial freedom, and reduced consumption are all appealing to those looking to downsize to a tiny house. 

Homeowners are also flocking to tiny houses due to the smaller impact on the environment. The carbon footprint of a tiny house is noticeably smaller than the average home today. Because buildings cause an estimated 1/3 of greenhouse gasses, having a tiny home will dramatically reduce this number.

​Some tiny houses are built with reclaimed or recycled materials, and utilize energy efficient tools such as solar panels and rain water gathering, which are also great for the environment.

Quite a few tiny housess can be hitched to a truck and moved to a new location. Homeowners find this appealing and enjoy the fact that they can bring their home with them whenever and wherever they want to travel. 

What does the future of the tiny house movement look like? It seems like this trend isn't going anywhere anytime soon. With new television shows cropping up each season, businesses offering customized tiny homes, and some companies putting plans into motion to build tiny home developments, we can expect to see more tiny houses in the future.