A Winter Wonderland - 12/31/09 07:18 AM
We woke up this morning in Murrysville to this...

Nothing real estate to say, just enjoying our own little Winter Wonderland...

And wishing everyone a Happy, Prosperous and Peaceful New Year - 2010!
 
Looking to buy or sell a home in Murrysville, PA? Call Christa Ross from RE/MAX Select Realty, at 724-933-6300 x214 (office) or 724-779-1437 (direct) or visit my website at www.bestmurrysvillehomes.com.
 
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5 Markets Expected to Fare Best in 2010 - 12/29/09 05:10 PM
Here is to Starting the New Year Off Right! Pittsburgh is one of the 5 markets expected to fare best in 2010 according to Moodys.
They predict home prices to appreciate by .89% this year, not a big jump but way better than a decrease and much better than most of the rest of the country.
One factor that is cited as a reason we are doing well is that prices basically stayed in sync with household income. Another mentioned is that we have managed to maintain a stable economy through the downturn.
You can read the whole story here.
Now … (4 comments)

Murrysville Home Sales in 2009 - 12/28/09 12:57 PM
As the year comes to an end I thought it would be interesting to look at how home sales in Murrysville did this year and how they compared to the year before.
In Murrysville in 2009...
197 homes were sold
The majority ranged in price from $100,000 to $399,999
The median price was $191,450
The average price was $240,558

 
In Murrysville in 2008...
209 homes were sold
The majority ranged from $120,000 to Over $500,000
The median price was $232,900
The average price was $262,398

It is good to see that from a volume standpoint there were only … (0 comments)

Happy Holidays and To All a Great New Year - 12/26/09 10:38 AM
Enjoy my wish to you. I hope everyone has a happy, healthy holiday and a joyful, peaceful and profitable new year! Here is to a great 2010!

 
Looking to buy or sell your home in Pittsburgh this coming year! Call Christa Ross from RE/MAX Select Realty, at 724-933-6300 x214 (office) or 724-779-1437 (direct) or visit my website at www.greenhomespgh.com.
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Energy Efficient Mortgages – Getting the ‘Green’ for Green Building' - 12/23/09 04:02 PM
Great information on EEMs that is worth passing along.
Via Jerry Rouleau (BuilderRadio.com):
BuilderRadio talks with Dave Porter, Porterworks.com
There is plenty of good training available on how to build and sell green homes. Builders and contractors have the NAHB Green Building Program; Realtors have their own NAR programs and EcoBroker.  But, where do mortgage lenders go to bone up on green building so that they can adjust their loans to fit new energy-saving construction and retrofits?
Dave Porter has an answer.  Dave spent years as Senior Vice President of one of the largest construction lenders in the country. He and his … (0 comments)

Northeast Home Sales Climb in November - 12/23/09 03:39 PM
I got the opportunity to talk to a reporter from the Associated Press this week who was writing a story on Northeast home sales. She was interested in finding out what was going on in the Pittsburgh market and I was happy to oblige. As I told her, Pittsburgh has done very well compared to other areas of the country. One thing that seems to be driving our resilience is the low cost of living and low cost of homes.
You can read a few of the stories, that feature a quote from me :-), at the links below. Such Good … (1 comments)

Walk Score adds Public Transit Option - 12/15/09 11:02 AM

Walkscore, the site that lets people see the walkability of their neighborhood has added public transit information to their website and introduced a new App website called City-Go-Round. The walkscore app helps you find location and public transit information right from your phone. Find out more information at City-Go-Round.
Find a walkable neighborhood in the Pittsburgh area! Call Christa Ross from RE/MAX Select Realty, at 724-933-6300 x214 (office) or 724-779-1437 (direct) or visit my website at www.greenhomespgh.com.
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Pittsburgh City Paper: Replanting Cranberry - 12/14/09 03:32 PM
There is an excellent story in the City Paper about the overgrowth and new "smart growth" development going on in Cranberry Township that is worth a read.
REPLANTING CRANBERRY, PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER
Most of us from the Pittsburgh know that Cranberry may be the poster child for suburban sprawl, but you have to at least give the area credit for trying to get that problem under control by developing new housing options that have less impact on the environment. As someone who grew up in North Pittsburgh I remember the area as rural countryside. Even though I spend a fair amount … (0 comments)

It's Not About Global Warming - 12/09/09 02:12 PM
It seems these days lines are being drawn between those that "believe" in global warming and those that don't. Well guess what, I am not an environmentalist ("tree-hugger" as some might call me) because of global warming, although it is worth mentioning that I do believe the planet is warming, and I do believe that people do have some effect on that process.
Here are the OTHER reasons that I think green practices are important:
Because I think that dependence on foreign oil puts the country in a bad political position. Because I think that people waste to0 much and that … (55 comments)

America's Best Bang-For-The-Buck Cities - Pittsburgh #22 - 12/09/09 10:24 AM
More good news for Pittsburgh. Forbes Magazine ranked us #22 out of the top 100 largest American cities for Best Bang-For-The-Buck. A solid housing market, relatively stable employment picture, low cost of living and quick commutes were among the factors that were considered by the magazine.
Pittsburgh scored high marks for Housing Affordability (#17), Home Price Forecast (#6), Foreclosure Rank (#14) and Unemployment rank (#24). We didn't do so well in Real Estate Taxes Rank (#79) and Home Vacancy Rates (#84).
You can read the entire study here.
Now is a great time to buy a home in Pittsburgh! Call Christa … (1 comments)

Great Pittsburgh Neighborhoods: Greenfield - 12/08/09 03:54 PM
Greenfield is the kind of neighborhood that Pittsburgh is known for. Close-knit, working class, bedroom communities that once were considered the “burbs” until the city expanded to meet them. The area, located just south east of the city, still holds true to its roots with a friendly atmosphere and affordable home prices.
Greenfield is a prime location for a home buyer that wants a suburban atmosphere combined with the convenience of city living. Most homes are walking distance, or a bike ride, from Schenely Park, Squirrel Hill and Oakland. Just four miles from downtown, some residents even can watch the 4th … (0 comments)

Home Energy Assessments - 12/07/09 09:47 AM
Getting a home energy assessment is one of the best ways to save money on your utility bills and improve the comfort of your home. Energy assessments come in several different varieties that will achieve different goals. A few of your options include:
Online Energy Assessment - These are online tools, like The ENERGY STAR Home Energy Yardstick,  that allow you to enter your utility usage, cost and home description. The tool will then let you compare your energy usage to others around the country. It also provides general ideas of how you might be able to lower your energy usage.
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IRS Presentation on The First Time Homebuyer Credit - 12/05/09 03:25 PM
If you have heard about the extension on the first time homebuyers credit but still have questions here is the official word directly from the IRS. Follow the link below to a powerpoint presentation that contains all the details on the extension, expansion and rules.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/23297630/IRS-Homebuyer-Tax-Credit
Looking to buy your first home in the Pittsburgh area? Call Christa Ross from RE/MAX Select Realty, at 724-933-6300 x214 (office) or 724-779-1437 (direct) or visit my website at www.greenhomespgh.com.
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The Benefits of a Green Home - Video - 12/03/09 09:55 AM
Here is a great video that really speaks to the economic benefits of purchasing a green home. Enjoy.
 
Find an energy efficient home in Pittsburgh! Call Christa Ross from RE/MAX Select Realty, at 724-933-6300 x214 (office) or 724-779-1437 (direct) or visit my website at www.greenhomespgh.com.
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Pittsburgh ranked 4th Fastest-Recovering City - 12/02/09 09:36 AM
There's an old joke here in Pittsburgh that when the world ends we'll still have 7 years left. I've even heard people talk about how the recession really hasn't hit Pittsburgh yet. I don't agree.
In my opinion, Pittsburgh has been able to weather the downturn because it is a stable, down-to-earth city that already went through the bad times. It was able to diversify it's economy and attract new investment. Like the rest of the country we saw a decline in home prices but nothing like the huge drops that were happening in other areas, just a few percentage points. … (2 comments)

Electronics Recycling Program at Best Buy - 12/01/09 09:42 AM
If you are planning to upgrade to a flat panel TV, a new computer monitor or even something smaller this year, take your old one with you to Best Buy. Their recycling program takes all sorts of electronics that can then be turned into new gadgets and gizmos. There is a $10 charge for monitors, laptops and CRTs but they give you a $10 gift card in return. You can find out more information on their website.
 
Find out more about living green in Pittsburgh? Call Christa Ross from RE/MAX Select Realty, your certified green agent and RE/MAX green specialist … (2 comments)

There is a lot going on Downtown for the Holidays - 12/01/09 08:33 AM
The Holiday Season is the perfect time to spend a little time downtown and perhaps pick up a few gifts. Macy's front windows are decked for Christmas and sure to delight your kids and you can join Santa for breakfast at Macy's at 10am on weekends in December.

Or try ice-skating at the Rink at PPG Plaza. The rink is actually bigger than the one at Rockefeller Center and boasts a 60ft tall Christmas tree in the center. Also at PPG Plaza is the annual Wintergarden Holiday Display featuring Santa's around the world, trains and beautiful Gingerbread houses.

Free … (0 comments)

 
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Christa Ross

Pittsburgh, PA

More about me…

RE/MAX Select Realty - REALTOR and Green Homes Specialist

Address: 1667 Route 228, Suite 200, Cranberry Twp, PA, 16066

Office Phone: (724) 933-6300 x 214

Cell Phone: (724) 309-1758

Email Me

Full-time experience, creative home marketing & outstanding service for Pittsburgh's home buyers and sellers. Real Estate agent serving Allegheny, Butler and Westmorland County. Pittsburgh, Shadyside, Regent Square, Point Breeze, Edgewood, Churchill, Monroeville, Penn Hills, Plum, Murrysville, Oakmont, Hampton, Richland, Cranberry and North Hills.


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