LIVING IN PITTSBURGH PA: Local Realtor Krista Lorenzo gives a tour of the Brookwood Brownstones townhouse community in Peters Township, Pennsylvania. She gives an in-depth showing of a finished, furnished unit, as well as the construction process of the final 5 units.
Not upsizing, not downsizing, just Right-Sizing!
When you hear the word townhouse, what do you think of? Many people imagine small living quarters that aren’t well suited for young adults or families, but offers the convenience of less exterior maintenance at the cost of downsizing. While you can absolutely find small townhouses on the market, just like any home, there’s a wide variety of options to choose from! Don’t assume downsizing is your only choice. Did you know there are townhouses that offer all the benefits of low maintenance living, while maintaining the large, open feel of a typical detached home? Rightsizing could be what you need! Practicality and convenience are just as important (if not more!) than the aesthetics of your dream house… that’s where rightsizing comes in. Buyers can get blinded by design choices, and end up settling for a pretty house with a layout that just doesn’t work! Maybe your home doesn’t necessarily need to be smaller, but the current layout isn’t working for your everyday life. Forget everything you know about downsizing and townhouse living, because these modern townhomes in Peter’s Township are offering the convenience you need without making you sacrifice square footage! In addition, I’ll be breaking down the best questions buyers need to consider when deciding if a home is the right one for them!
Visualize your day-to-day life
One important factor I always remind my buyers to consider is the practicality of a home. Imagine your typical day… what you like to do, how much time you spend in the house, where you congregate, and how much downtime you truly have for home maintenance. When you take time to answer these questions, it makes it easier to pinpoint what you truly need versus what you’re able to go without. Some people host on the regular, so a large dining room for dinner parties is a must-have! Perhaps as you’re getting older, carrying baskets of clothes up and down the stairs to your basement-level laundry room is becoming a daunting task. Stairs might be a dealbreaker entirely, or you might just need a laundry room right by your bedroom! Do you work from home and need a room dedicated to being your office? Do you frequently have extended family visiting and need a nice room for guests to stay? Maybe the most important thing to you is a large private backyard for your dog to run around, so a townhouse just won’t cut it. What works for one person won’t work for everyone, so it’s crucial to ask yourself these questions before your home search! After all, your perfect home is one that is convenient and well-suited for your lifestyle!
Brookwood Brownstones are changing the game for Peters Township living
If you’re looking for a home in the suburbs surrounding Pittsburgh, you likely have seen Peters Township homes popping up in your search. In Peters Township, you’ll predominately find neighborhoods lined with the standard detached single-family houses. Although those make up the majority of the home selection in this area, that isn’t the only available option! The Brookwood Brownstones townhouse community is a fantastic alternative for those who love the location, but are looking for something different that’s a little better suited for their needs. These beautiful modern townhouses have plenty of luxuries to offer, and don’t leave you short on space. While each unit differs slightly from the next, every home is thoughtfully designed and typically features 3 bedrooms, 2+ bathrooms, upper level laundry, a spacious 2-car garage, open main-level living, and over 2000 square feet of living space! Instead of downsizing, these homes suggest a different approach- the same amount of space as your typical house, but with a carefully constructed, practical layout and less of the maintenance! Additionally, residents enjoy a centralized community courtyard with benches and lush greenery. This community is attracting a vast demographic of homebuyers, from young families looking for a place to start, to couples wanting to stay in Peters after their kids went off to college, and everyone in between! The perks are countless, so don’t assume downsizing is your only choice. Snow removal can be a huge pain in Pennsylvania, but Brookwood Brownstones has that covered. Yard work? Also covered! Townhouses aren’t for everyone, but communities like Brookwood Brownstone are the perfect option for many people and are too often overlooked.
Weigh your Pros and Cons
Every person’s life is unique, therefore every person’s housing needs are unique. There’s no correct or incorrect answer- whatever works, works! My job as your Realtor isn’t to tell you what house you’re supposed to want, it’s to make sure you understand the differences between them all in order to figure out the best fit for you! Hopefully you’ve already started thinking about your lifestyle and what features of a house you’d prefer, but now it’s time to focus on which of these are most important to you. The next step is deciding what is non-negotiable and what you’re willing to compromise. For example, you’d really like a backyard, but you fell in love with a townhouse that doesn’t have one. Since the home checks all your other boxes, you decide it’s worth giving up the yard space since it has room on the patio for your flower boxes and a central community courtyard! The trade-offs you make need to feel worth it to you! It’s important to be realistic and honest when determining what you’re willing to sacrifice, so you don’t end up settling for a house that doesn’t work for you. Take your time to consider each specific feature. Stairs? Are they a dealbreaker, no big deal, or okay as long as you don’t have to carry laundry up and down them? How about an en suite? Necessary, not needed, or worth giving up for the walk-in closet of your dreams? It’s also crucial to ask all the questions before making your home purchase. Townhouses often advertise “low maintenance living” which sounds appealing (that’s the point!), but that statement alone doesn’t provide enough information to make an informed decision. Part of my job as a real estate agent is knowing the big questions to ask and finding the answers you need. It’s easy to get confused, overwhelmed, or frustrated in your homebuying journey when you can’t figure out where to start! Your agent is here to think about the details you might unknowingly overlook and answer every question. Don’t stop listening when you hear low maintenance, instead ask exactly what is covered by the HOA and what remains the homeowners’ responsibility? How much will the HOA fees cost you and how frequent are the payments? These details can make a huge difference!
Available upcoming townhouses in Brookwood Brownstones!
Though most of this community has already been built, construction is currently underway on the neighborhood’s final building… and one could be your dream home waiting for you! Building 101 on Magnolia Drive holds 5 spectacular homes, each featuring 3 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, 2 partial bathrooms, a 2-car garage, convenient upper level laundry, a modern open-concept main level, and over 2,450 square feet of living space that you can make all yours. Buyers also have the option to upgrade their home with a luxury rooftop terrace! Each unit includes a bonus “flex room” on top of all that, giving you full creative liberty to utilize it however fits your lifestyle! Whether you need an office, hobby space, home gym, or kids playroom, you get the freedom of crafting a space unique to your needs that can remain the same or change with you over the years! Construction is expected to be completed in February or March of 2027, meaning there could still be time to customize aspects of your new home to your liking! Since construction is already in progress, certain features have already been decided, such as floor plans, materials, and additions. However, the finishing interior details could be all yours- paint colors, flooring options, cabinetry, countertops, and more! If the idea of new construction intrigues you, but starting from square one is overwhelming, this is the perfect middle-ground option for you. Again, if this is an option you’re considering, it’s important to ask all the questions and find out what can still be modified. Don’t just assume something is included… if you want it, ask! These available upcoming homes are priced in the upper 500’s and are attracting many interested buyers, so don’t miss your chance to get your hands on yours!
As of November 5th 2026, there are still 4 remaining units in the final Brookwood Brownstones building, waiting to be claimed: 101B, 101C, 101D, and 101E.
What I want you to consider
Here’s what I want you to ask yourself- “Does the house I’m currently living in (or that listing you’ve had your eye on!) fit my lifestyle? Have I considered all the choices, or are there options I haven’t yet explored?” Don’t let any preconceived notions about downsizing or townhouses minimize your home search until you’ve given it fair consideration. Take each potential property and visualize your normal day there, take note of the features you’d benefit from, weigh what things are crucial to you vs what you’re willing to compromise, and explore every option with an open mind before ruling it out! As I always say, my job isn’t to tell you what home you’re supposed to want; as your Realtor, it’s my job to provide you with the information and guidance you need to have a clear understanding of your choices, then helping you narrow down your search and find the home that best suits you!