The saying goes that bigger is not always better. That is definitely the case with a pair of townhouses for sale in Pittsburgh's First Ward whose history goes back almost 100 years to the immigrant days when the community was officially known as Soho. Both are on the market for $89,900 and are redevelopment projects of the Uptown Community Action Group. Open houses will be held at both from 1 to 4 p.m. Feb. 21.

The first at 1713 Forbes Ave. is six blocks from the new home of the Pittsburgh Penguins, two blocks from UPMC Mercy Hospital and a short stroll to the A.J. Palumbo Center.

This two-bedroom, one-bath townhouse boasts an efficient 1,243 square feet of living space within its red brick walls. The structure is just 14 feet wide -- common in townhouses of that era.

The house has been brought up to speed with new wiring, plumbing and updated 11-by- 7-foot kitchen. Room sizes are not huge, but adequate for a single person or young couple. The largest bedroom is 11 by 11 feet and features a large double-door closet. The other bedroom measures 11 by 7 feet.

---

Soho
At a glance

• Website: city.pittsburgh.pa.us
• Size: .327 square miles
• Population: 6,423
• School district: Pittsburgh Public, www.pghboe.net
• Enrollment: about 28,000
• Average SAT scores: 458 verbal; 483 math; 445 writing (2008, Brashear High School)
• Taxes for house assessed at $89,900: $2,644
  
  County: $422 (4.69 mills)
  City: $971 (10.8 mills)
  School: $1,251 (13.92 mills)
• Wage tax: 3 percent (1 percent to the city, and 2 percent to the school district)
• Fun fact: The Soho neighborhood is more commonly known as the Bluff or Uptown. Originally part of Pitt Township, it was annexed in 1846, the year after a great fire destroyed 56 acres and 1,000 buildings in the heart of the city.

---

The 13-by-11-foot living room has a decorative fireplace and plenty of natural light. The galley kitchen, although small, has a good work triangle, laminate countertops and plenty of storage in new cabinets.

The house at 1713 Forbes is on a corner with an empty lot next door. The lot is also for sale separately and the group is looking to package it with the townhouse. The new owner could use it as a side garden and outdoor space.

The other property is just around the corner at 114 Miltenberger St. and is also available for $89,900. It is also an end unit but is a bit larger, with three bedrooms that each measure 12 by 10 feet, with one full bathroom. The living room and dining room are each 14 by 12 feet and the kitchen 12 by 11 feet.

The kitchen is equipped with a dishwasher, gas stove and refrigerator. There is also a finished loft area on the third floor that would be a great office or guest area with plenty of natural light.

Deanna Davis of Coldwell Banker Real Estate's Shadyside office points out that because both properties are community projects, they are eligible for special financing from the Urban Redevelopment Authority.

The URA is offering a second deferred mortgage of up to $40,000 at zero percent interest for as long as you live in and own the home.

Simply put, homeowners making up to $35,000 per year would be able to defer $40,000 of the sales price and only have a mortgage for $49,900. The deferred mortgage is paid back out of the proceeds when the house is sold again. Buyers also would qualify for up to $8,000 in federal tax credits if they sign a contract by April 30.

1713 Forbes Ave. has an assessed market value of $24,100 and a total current tax bill of $708.

114 Miltenberger St. is assessed at $25,800 and has a current tax bill of $758.

Uptown Community Action paid $11,500 and $7,550, respectively, in June 2002 (www2.county.allegheny.pa.us/RealEstate/Default.aspx).

For more information on the townhouses, call Tim Fabian (Forbes Avenue) or Deanna Davis (Miltenberger Street) of Coldwell Banker's Shadyside office at 412-363-4000 or go to www.pittsburghmoves.com

Doug Oster writes a blog, "Growing With Doug," exclusively at PG+, a members-only web site of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.