House of the week: A five-bedroom Victorian with barn in Northeast Philadelphia for $599,000

The house in the Old Somerton section of Northeast Philadelphia “came to us by mistake,” Dawn Foerst recalled, after another house she and her husband, Steve, had been counting on fell through.

But they have been very happy with the three-story, five-bedroom, 2½-bath Victorian since they bought it in 2017.

Now, however, they plan to live full-time at their home on the Jersey Shore.

Dawn, who is in health care, and Steve, a massage therapist, said that the previous owners had done a good bit of renovation on the house. So they devoted their creative energies to what they call the “entertainment barn,” which sits in the backyard next to an aboveground pool. Their two daughters — one in college, one in high school — have found it to be a great party place.

The main house, built around 1924, is 2,875 square feet. Entry is through a concrete-based front porch.

The living and dining rooms have tigerwood floors. The living room has an original fireplace mantel, stained glass windows, a coffered ceiling, and bench seats.

The large dining room leads to a kitchen with white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, a ceramic tile floor, ceramic tile backsplash, and a wood-topped island that seats five.

A pocket door off the kitchen leads to a home office area and laundry station.

The family room has an original stained glass window, a rustic mantel, and a wood plank accent wall. There is a half bath with a modern vanity.

The primary bedroom has wood grain flooring, and the primary bath, remodeled in 2022, has a dual vanity with stone top, a glass shower door, and a skylight.

There are two additional bedrooms on the second floor.

New HVAC was installed in 2019. The paver stone parking area has space for five cars, and there is easy access to SEPTA Regional Rail.

The house is listed by Greg Boytos of RE/MAX Properties — Newtown for $599,000.