Choose Your Home Colors Wisely
categories: Around the House
Gray is a popular neutral, blue is the symbol of the environment, and yellow adds energy and optimism to your surroundings. At least those are the trends reported by the Color Marketing Group (CMG), a not-for-profit association of color design professionals.
Experts at CMG say the top color choices this year are influenced by the public’s concern about the economy and their optimism for the future. People are looking for colors that are safe, familiar and comforting. Consumers also are drawn to colors that reflect a growing desire for an environmentally greener world.
See CMG’s list of top color trends. But remember, if you’re getting ready to sell your home, choose a color palette that will suit a range of buyer tastes.
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Pittsburgh Fireworks: Schedule of Days and Times for 2009
categories: Dormont, Mt. Lebanon, Peters Township, Scott Township, Upper St. Clair
As everyone knows, fireworks are a big part of the July 4th festivities in many Pittsburgh communities. I hope you have some time to check out a fireworks show near you. Have a great holiday!
Downtown Fireworks - July 4th, 9:35 pm, Point State Park
Ambridge Fireworks - July 3rd, 10:00 pm, Walter Panek Park
Bethel Park Fireworks - July 4th, 9:40 pm, South Hills Village
Butler Fireworks- July 4th, Dusk, Big Butler Fairgrounds
Canonsburg Fireworks - July 4th, Dusk, Canon-MacMillan Stadium
Crafton Fireworks - July 4th, 9:30 pm, Crafton Park
Dormont Fireworks - July 4th, 9:30 pm, Dormont Pool Lot
Ellwood City Fireworks - July 5th, 10:15 pm, Ewing Park
Hampton Township Fireworks - July 3rd, Dark, Hampton Community Park
Monongahela Fireworks - July 4th, 9:45 pm, Monongahela Aquatorium
Monroeville Fireworks - July 4th, 9:30 pm, Monroeville Mall
Moon Fireworks - July 4th, 10:05 pm, Moon Park
Mt. Lebanon Fireworks - July 4th, 9:30 pm, Main Park
Robinson Fireworks - July 4th, Dusk, Burkett Park
Scott Township Fireworks - July 4th, 9:31 pm, Scott Park
South Fayette Fireworks - July 3rd, 9:45 pm, El Rancho Soccer Field
Upper St. Clair Fireworks - July 4th, 9:40 pm, South Hills Village
Zelienople Fireworks - July 4th, 10:00 pm, Zelienople Community Park
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Upper St. Clair Recreation Center Now Open
categories: New Developments, Upper St. Clair
Upper St. Clair officially opened its $16.5 million recreation center in Boyce Mayview Park on June 13, and the township is hoping it will attract members, as well as new residents.
According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, “[t]he massive center atop a hill includes a two-story, glass-enclosed lobby, two indoor pools, an outdoor pool, meeting rooms seating up to 240 people, a 10,000-square-foot fitness center, two full-size basketball courts and a 1/8-mile track circling the second level.”
Check out the Upper St. Clair website for more information on hours and membership fees.
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Make Your Home Comfortable for Any Age
categories: Around the House
The majority of people over the age of 45 want to continue living in a familiar environment throughout their maturing years. According to AARP, older homeowners overwhelmingly prefer to age in place, which means living in their home safely, independently and comfortably, regardless of age or ability level.
The National Association of Home Builders in collaboration with AARP developed a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) program to address the needs of these consumers. These
specialists are trained in:
- The unique needs of older people;
- Home modifications that can help people live independently in their homes longer;
- Common remodeling projects;
- Solutions to common barriers.
Read a recent article that recommends seven things that you should always keep in mind for your aging-in-place residence.
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Pittsburgh Makes List of Fittest Cities
categories: Buyers
Pittsburgh was ranked #16 by the American College of Sports Medicine in their second annual American Fitness Index, a list of the fittest of America’s 50 largest metro areas.
Cities were ranked by a number of individual factors and local health resources. The percentage of residents who smoke or who are overweight are factored into the index along with statistics on regular physical activity and number of servings of fruits and veggies eaten daily. These personal details are counted up alongside information on the number of parks, farmer’s markets, primary healthcare providers, and crime rates of the region.
Washington, DC took the top ranking. Read the press release.
Related Posts:
- Pittsburgh Ranked as #3 Arts Destination
- Pittsburgh Is the Most Romantic City for Baby Boomers
- Pittsburgh Ranks as a Top City for Hiring
- Pittsburgh Recognized as a Real Estate Safe Haven
- Pittsburgh Named Best City in the State to Raise Your Kids
- Pittsburgh Makes List of Best Cities for Riding Out a Recession
- Pittsburgh Ranked Third Least Expensive for Homeowners
- Pittsburgh: A Best City for Young Professionals
- Pittsburgh Recognized as a Real Estate Best Bargain
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Your Home: Love It or Leave It
categories: Sellers
If you don’t love your house, then maybe it’s time to sell. Here are some of the top reasons that people move on to a new home:
Home is too small. Increased family size is the main reason home owners say they need a larger home.- Time to upgrade. People often want what they don’t have and long for a
grander, more upscale home. - Purchase mistake. Owners might
believe they made a mistake when purchasing their present home. - Commuting distance. If the drive to work exceeds an hour, some people may want to move closer to their employer.
- Personal relationships. Moving in with a partner can mean one of the parties will need to sell, and break-ups cause owners to sell as well.
- Neighborhood changes. The neighborhood might have changed for the worse, economically, socially or physically.
- Empty nest/Retirement. The older you get, the harder it is to keep a big house clean.
- See family more often. Some people want to be closer to their family and will move to be near relatives.
- Health problems. Knee or back problems make it difficult to climb stairs in a two-story, so a one-story home may be more practical.
Do any of these sound like your situation? If so, it may be time for you to leave your home behind. If you’re ready to sell and find a new home that you absolutely love, give me a call.
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Which Pittsburgh South Side Homes Sold During May?
categories: Sold Property Statistics, South Side
Here’s the list of 6 homes that sold in May on Pittsburgh’s South Side (down from 11 in April):
| Address | List Price | Sold Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2705 Sarah Street | 299,607 | 275,000 |
| 102 S 14th Street | 195,000 | 190,000 |
| 121 S 11th Street | 189,888 | 168,000 |
| 2319 Jane Street | 179,900 | 165,000 |
| 29 Welsh Way | 79,900 | 80,100 |
| 526 Handler Street | 54,900 | 50,000 |
Related Posts:
- Pittsburgh’s South Side: Real Estate Sales Grew in April
- Which South Side Houses Sold During the First Quarter?
- South Side Real Estate Sales Were Low in January
- Pittsburgh’s South Side: Real Estate Sales Didn’t Change Much from Previous Year
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Make Sure Your Home Is Safe During Summer Vacations
categories: Around the House
Now that school is out, you’re probably planning for a much-deserved summer vacation. But keep in mind: this is the peak season for home burglaries, with most typically happening in July and August.
According to The Money Pit home improvement website, here are just a few of the things you should do to make sure your home is safe while you’re away:
Breakers Off - To prevent electrical fires, switch off all non-essential circuit breakers in your home’s electrical box.
- Disconnect Appliances - Unplug all appliances, large and small.
- Lights on Timers - In main living areas, put lights on timers to simulate occupancy.
- Don’t Broadcast Your Absense - A burglar can easily be tipped off to your absence by an unanswered phone, so turn off the ringer.
- Secure Valuables - Stow important papers, jewelry, etc. in a home safe or safe deposit box.
- Improve Lighting - Put all outdoor lighting on timers, and add motion-sensitive lamps in dark pockets as well as natural pathways.
- Collect Mail - Have someone collect mail, parcels and newspapers daily.
- Notify Police - Inform your local police department of your plans so they can add your home to their vacation watch list.
Read the entire checklist before leaving on your next vacation.
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Home Sales in Upper St. Clair Dip in May
categories: Sold Property Statistics, Upper St. Clair
Down from 17 homes sold in April, Upper St. Clair real estate sales dropped to 13 for the month of May:
| Address | List Price | Sold Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1623 Watterson Court | 1,099,000 | 950,000 |
| 100 Thousand Oaks Drive | 549,900 | 524,900 |
| 2661 Cedarvue Drive | 349,900 | 330,000 |
| 1660 Little Meadow Road | 319,900 | 313,000 |
| 2382 Engelwood Drive | 309,900 | 305,000 |
| 1774 Quigg Drive | 260,000 | 253,000 |
| 109 Saxony Drive | 234,900 | 226,000 |
| 2610 Siesta Drive | 185,000 | 177,000 |
| 2672 Sunnyfield Drive | 159,500 | 165,000 |
| 2338 Aetna Drive | 159,900 | 162,000 |
| 2342 Lambeth Drive | 157,500 | 151,000 |
| 111 DeArment Parkway | 139,899 | 137,050 |
| 2671 Sunnyfield Drive | 110,000 | 95,000 |
Call me today if you are ready to buy or sell a home in Upper St. Clair, or in any of our great Pittsburgh communities.
Related Posts:
- Upper St. Clair Real Estate Sales Up a Little in April
- Upper St. Clair Home Sales Continue Slow Growth
- Upper St. Clair Real Estate Sales Improve Slighty in February
- January Sales of Upper St. Clair Homes Show a Slow Start
- Upper St. Clair Home Sales Match Previous Year’s Total
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Display the Flag Properly at Your Home
categories: Around the House
When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting from a window, balcony, or a building, the union should be at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff.- The flag should be raised briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously.
- Ordinarily it should be displayed only between sunrise and sunset. It should be illuminated if displayed at night.
- When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms.
- To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.
- The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.
- When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.
Read more flag etiquette.
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