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Improve Your Home for Less than $1,000

Casey O. Smith - Pittsburgh Real Estate (Prime Realty Group at Keller Williams) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:31:55 -0500

Many home improvement projects can be accomplished with a modest amount of cash and yet deliver lots of value, particularly when it's time for you to sell your house. From the Money Pit, here are some upgrages that will cost under $1,000:

Replace kitchen counter tops - Cook up a new look by upgrading kitchen work surfaces with one of the many sleek, budget-friendly materials available.

Accessorize the bathroom for comfort and safety - If you plan to stay in your home for many years to come, start making small changes that create easy access for family members of all ages and abilities.

Brush on a new look - Paint is one of the most affordable home improvement products around, so make it your go-to technique for updating a living space.

Spruce up an outdoor room - Expand both your living space and your home's value by building a small deck or a patio of brick, natural stone or cement pavers.

Enhance curb appeal - Your front yard is an instant register of home value for every passerby, so green it up for a lush, lively look.

Improve energy efficiency - The climbing costs of home heating fuel make penny-saving improvements all the more valuable.

Accessorize to organize - Make more space by clearing away clutter and installing organization systems.

Read the entire article.

Pittsburgh's South Side: Home Sales Increased Again in July

Casey O. Smith - Pittsburgh Real Estate (Prime Realty Group at Keller Williams) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:28:36 -0500

Here's the list of 13 homes that sold in July on Pittsburgh's South Side (up from 10 in June):

Address List Price Sold Price

2619 Stromberg Street	289,900	283,000
2905 Sarah Street	285,000	280,000
1709 Edwards Way	194,000	184,500
2516 Mission Street	195,000	183,000
2334 Larkins Way	169,900	162,370
51 Pius Street	154,900	158,000
143 S 19th Street	159,900	140,000
429 East Carson Street	139,900	130,000
102-104 Handler Street	91,000	84,000
1911 Baldauf Street	57,000	49,900
2623 Stromberg Street	44,900	25,000
45 Sterling Street	36,100	12,000
2411 Salisbury Street	9,900	9,900

Upper St. Clair Home Sales Nearly Tripled in 2 Months

Casey O. Smith - Pittsburgh Real Estate (Prime Realty Group at Keller Williams) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:26:32 -0500

Real estate sales in Upper St. Clair showed good growth over the last two months. From 13 homes sold in May, to 22 in June, sales jumped again in July with 37:

Address List Price Sold Price

2001 Murdstone Drive	540,000	540,000
1700 Ewing Circle	395,000	395,000
1836 Tragone Drive	394,900	382,500
2080 Outlook Drive	399,900	375,000
1802 Tragone Drive	389,000	375,000
2677 Gloucester Drive	349,000	340,000
435 Cadberry Court	349,900	315,000
2146 Meadowmont Drive	300,000	295,000
3416 Brookdale Drive	295,900	295,000
217 Carriage Lane	279,000	260,000
2384 Rexford Drive	274,000	251,000
1317 Manor Drive	265,000	250,000
1188 Sky Ridge Drive	242,500	239,468
1220 Ridgewood Road	250,000	237,875
1809 Taper Drive	259,900	235,000
504 Trotwood Ridge Road	259,900	233,000
2433 Huntington Drive	225,000	228,000
1604 Terrie Drive	229,900	225,000
2631 Old Washington Road	229,900	222,000
2304 Weston Drive	224,900	220,000
1603 Seegar Road	224,900	220,000
1721 Partridge Run Road	229,000	216,300
368 Lorlita Lane	219,900	215,750
2140 Clairmont Drive	229,900	215,000
471 Laredo Drive	229,000	215,000
1166 Billings Drive	221,500	212,000
219 Lesnett Road	189,900	200,000
1321 Rose Circle	210,000	197,000
210 Johnston Road	194,900	194,900
14 Keifer Drive	184,750	177,500
2513 Partridge Drive	174,900	174,900
3507 Myrna Drive	174,900	168,450
2274 Washington Road	179,900	165,000
103 Royanna Drive	156,000	156,000
153 Highview Drive	149,000	143,500
1329 Sun Ridge Drive	140,000	139,000
472 Long Drive	125,000	125,000

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.

Water Your Home Lawn the Green Way

Casey O. Smith - Pittsburgh Real Estate (Prime Realty Group at Keller Williams) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:23:41 -0500

Do you water your lawn ... and the sidewalks and street? From Best Green Home Tips, here are some rules for eco-minded summer lawn watering:

Many lawns only need about one inch of water per week to thrive and, in areas that see more rain, your lawn may need even less.
Timed sprinklers can help you water less and more efficiently.
Water in the morning or in the evening. If you water midday, most of the water is evaporated by the hot sun and can't actually do its job.
Set your sprinklers up to cover actual vegetation areas, not the sidewalk or street.
Use recycled water - easy if you have a rain barrel.
Use a hose or watering can for smaller areas vs. a sprinkler. When doing this, water slowly which helps the roots to get the water they need.
Create an earth-friendly rain garden.
Water less by planting native plants and by eliminating lawn areas where possible.

Peters Township Real Estate Sales Dip Slightly in July

Casey O. Smith - Pittsburgh Real Estate (Prime Realty Group at Keller Williams) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 08:20:15 -0500

There were 24 homes sold in Peters Township during the month of July, compared to 28 in June. Here's the July list:

Address List Price Sold Price

Lot 24 Windsor Court (New Construction)	699,900	741,250
1131 Moccasin Drive	619,900	570,000
Lot 610 Wild Briar (New Construction)	373,068	568,900
620 Sagewood Drive	559,900	520,000
202 Fox Run Drive	534,500	510,000
41 Lintel Drive	514,900	510,000
203 Bridle Trail	500,000	485,000
208 Windermere Court	495,900	475,000
317 Buffalo Ridge Road	475,000	460,000
163 Druid Drive	432,900	432,000
139 Elm Grove Drive	429,900	429,900
404 Bridle Trail	439,900	405,000
113 Blackmore Drive (New Construction)	395,000	395,000
218 Walnut Drive	369,900	375,000
116 Spring Meadow Drive	339,900	330,000
105 Standing Rock Drive	330,000	325,000
595 Bower Hill Road	299,900	283,500
352 E McMurray Road	281,900	270,000
133 Marble Drive	255,000	258,000
106 Lampliter Lane	248,745	250,000
202 Grandview Drive	249,900	242,000
122 W Edgewood Drive	239,900	239,900
120 McClintock Drive	227,500	227,500
516 E McMurray Road	225,000	210,000

There are a lot of great Peters Township homes on the market, so give me a call if you want to take a look at what's available.

Do You Need a Home Security System?

Casey O. Smith - Pittsburgh Real Estate (Prime Realty Group at Keller Williams) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 08:18:57 -0500

One of the first investments that you should consider after buying a new house is a home security system. Protecting your home with a security system provides a much safer environment for your family and eases your mind in 4 areas:

1. Dissuasion - if a burgler sees a home security label on your window, he may move on to an easier target.

2. Minimum loss - if someone enters your home, he won't stick around very long when the alarm sounds.

3. Avoiding confrontation - if you arrive home and the alarm is sounding, you know not to enter the house.

4. Protection against fires - smoke detectors can be incorporated into the system.

For more information, read the Home Alarm Systems Buying Guide.

Mt. Lebanon Home Sales Are Still Going Strong

Casey O. Smith - Pittsburgh Real Estate (Prime Realty Group at Keller Williams) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:15:16 -0500

Mt. Lebanon real estate sales were strong again in July (52 homes sold, slightly better than the 51 sold in June). The last time more than 50 homes sold in Mt. Lebanon was in August 2007.

Address List Price Sold Price

3 Forest Glen Drive	630,000	630,000
253 Morrison Drive	489,900	480,000
734 Pinoak Road	449,000	402,000
347 Parker Drive	425,000	385,000
257 Vee Lynn Drive	375,000	375,000
194 Mayfair Drive	399,000	370,000
142 Crescent Drive	387,500	365,000
448 Parkview Drive	389,900	352,500
121 Mayfair Drive	349,900	340,000
850 Macarthur Drive	335,500	325,000
33 Altadena Drive	319,900	299,000
248 Orchard Drive	325,850	298,500
1431 Mohican Drive	296,900	286,000
114 Woodhaven Drive	274,900	265,000
844 Foxland Drive	273,000	264,000
108 Bradley Court	269,900	259,000
555 Sandrae Drive	265,000	256,525
460 Willow Drive	255,000	245,500
813 Hillaire Drive	249,500	241,000
870 Bridgewater Drive	259,000	240,000
1145 Pinewood Drive	259,900	239,000
99 Newburn Drive	229,000	238,500
1206 Pinewood Drive	235,000	230,000
1017 Larchdale Drive	269,900	226,800
115 Seminole Drive	224,900	217,000
282 Magnolia Place	219,900	212,750
1305 Firwood Drive	209,900	212,180
110 Shady Drive West	219,900	208,000
439 Marlin Drive	214,900	207,000
760 Gypsy Lane	209,000	205,000
487 Duquesne Drive	208,500	196,500
109 Elatan Drive	199,900	195,000
138 Poplar Drive	194,000	195,000
1159 Driftwood Drive	197,900	190,000
32 Academy Avenue	189,900	190,000
273 Roycroft Avenue	192,500	189,000
698 Fruithurst Drive	194,900	178,000
106 Morrison Drive	199,900	175,000
26 Rosemont Avenue	174,900	174,900
618 Crystal Drive	169,900	172,120
331 Jonquil Place	169,900	165,000
211 Altoona Place	168,350	165,000
774 Lebanon Avenue	168,900	164,375
719 Kewanna Avenue	159,900	160,000
800 Ella Street	154,900	154,900
619 Moreland Drive	150,000	149,000
610 Briarwood Avenue	138,500	142,500
517 Clemson Drive	139,900	142,000
472 Sleepy Hollow	134,000	133,560
460 Broadmoor Avenue	134,900	130,000
1347 Sylvandell Drive	127,900	118,000
938 Segar Road	119,900	117,000

If you are ready to buy or sell a home in Mt. Lebanon, I live in the community and know it well - so give me a call today.

Take a Weekend to Make Simple Green Home Changes

Casey O. Smith - Pittsburgh Real Estate (Prime Realty Group at Keller Williams) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 08:17:30 -0500

If you've got a weekend, then you have enough time to green your home. According to Best Green Home Tips, here are some small changes you can make quickly:

Clean your refrigerator coils - Your fridge coils may be costing you in both energy and money. Dirty coils have to work harder to cool your fridge which pumps up your electricity use, and in turn your bill. You can easily clean off the dust and grime with a long brush and your fridge will run better.

Hang a clothes line - With warm summer air here, you've got no excuse not to hang a clothes line. This will save energy and money plus is a super cheap fix to start with. It'll only cost you about $10 for a decent clothesline and about 50 clothespins either online or at your local hardware store.

Clear out some plastics - Go through your kitchen cupboards and clear out some toxic plastic dishes and containers. Aim to ditch plastics #3, 6, or 7 first as these are the most toxic. Cleaning out toxic plastics leaves you space to stock up on some eco-friendly food storage containers.

Read the entire article.

South Side Real Estate Sales Increase in June

Casey O. Smith - Pittsburgh Real Estate (Prime Realty Group at Keller Williams) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:40:18 -0500

Here's the list of 10 homes that sold in June on Pittsburgh's South Side (up from 6 in May):

Address List Price Sold Price

148 S 17th Street	419,900	395,000
1101 Sarah Street	275,000	250,000
2705 Josephine Street	239,000	232,500
1823 Sarah Street	235,000	225,000
506 Bingham Street	177,000	170,000
1818 Jane Street	159,000	150,000
1513 Sarah Street	119,500	110,000
200 15th Street	87,500	87,500
62 Magdalena Street	31,000	31,500
1014 Warrington Avenue	29,500	25,000

Home Buying and Single Women

Casey O. Smith - Pittsburgh Real Estate (Prime Realty Group at Keller Williams) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:38:49 -0500

Are you a single woman looking for a new home? Well, you're not alone. According to the report, Buying For Themselves: An Analysis of Unmarried Female Home Buyers, single women drive at least 20% of home sales.

If you're like the average woman in this report, your home buying requirements may be a little different from your partnered female friends. Instead of looking for more space or a change of locale, most single women simply want to own their own home. Friends and family are important to these women and they tend to buy closer to these people. Single women are not as likely to give up location or neighborhood quality as they are amenities and home size.

For more information, visit the National Association of Realtors' website for its Field Guide for Women Homebuyers. And, if you're ready to buy a home, give me a call today so I can help you find a house that matches your priorities.

Upper St. Clair Real Estate Sales Improve in June

Casey O. Smith - Pittsburgh Real Estate (Prime Realty Group at Keller Williams) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:36:45 -0500

June was the best month so far this year for real estate sales in Upper St. Clair (which was also true for Mt. Lebanon and Peters Township).

Compared to 17 sales in April and 13 in May, there were 22 homes sold in Upper St. Clair during June, including a million dollar home:

Address List Price Sold Price

216 Warwick Drive	1,300,000	1,150,000
2102 Blairmont Drive	650,000	537,000
216 Devonwood Drive	492,500	466,500
2172 Truxton Drive	414,900	395,000
1799 Robson Drive	375,000	375,000
1719 Hathaway Lane	352,000	352,000
1736 Hathaway Lane	299,900	299,900
172 Topsfield Road	298,000	298,000
2534 Chapelwood Drive	314,500	295,000
1745 Taper Drive	299,900	295,000
543 Locust Lane	289,900	289,900
201 Seegar Road	309,500	285,000
2366 Harrow Road	254,900	240,000
1785 Partridge Run Road	239,000	221,000
529 Long Drive	209,900	205,000
116 Saxony Drive	219,900	203,900
504 Fort Couch Road	199,900	191,000
326 Johnston Road	179,900	176,900
1289 Star Ridge Drive	179,900	170,000
2464 Old Washington Road	169,900	158,500
228 Gerrie Drive	132,000	135,680
594 Trotwood Ridge Road	139,900	125,000

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.

Celebrate National Ice Cream Month in Pittsburgh

Casey O. Smith - Pittsburgh Real Estate (Prime Realty Group at Keller Williams) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:34:18 -0500

President Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month, so go out and get yourself a couple of scoops! Here are just a few of the nearby spots for delicious ice cream and frozen treats:

Bethel Park

Dairy Queen - 4846 Library Road
Eat ‘n Park - 5220 Library Road
Rita's Italian Ice - 5029 Library Road

Dormont/Mt. Lebanon

Bruster's - 1810 Dormont Avenue
Dairy Queen - 1693 McFarland Road
Eat ‘n Park - 2874 West Liberty Avenue and 1300 Banksville Road
Scoops on Beverly - 311 Beverly Road

Peters Township

Bruster's - 444 Valley Brook Road
Dairy Queen - 1017 Waterdam Plaza Drive and 3351 Washington Road
Eat ‘n Park - 3528 Washington Road
Rita's Italian Ice - Donaldson's Crossroads Center
St. Petersburg Ice Creamery - 210 Valley Brook Road

Scott Township

Dairy Queen - 1000 Washington Avenue
King's Family Restaurant - 2100 Washington Pike
Rita's Italian Ice - 2070 Greentree Road

South Side

Dairy Queen - 1223 East Carson Street
Rita's Italian Ice -2429 East Carson Street

Upper St. Clair

Dairy Queen - 300 South Hills Village
Eat ‘n Park -285 Fort Couch Road
King's Family Restaurant - 155 McMurray Road

There are many other places to get delicious ice cream in the Pittsburgh area. Share your favorite spot by sending me a comment, so the rest of us can check it out too!

Peters Township Home Sales Continued to Climb in June

Casey O. Smith - Pittsburgh Real Estate (Prime Realty Group at Keller Williams) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:27:33 -0500

Real estate sales in Peters Township increased again in June with 28 homes sold, compared to 22 in May and 14 in April. Here's the June list:

Address List Price Sold Price

111 Golden Eagle Drive	739,000	690,000
106 Willoughby Court	645,900	580,000
103 Equestrian Drive	549,900	525,000
402 Longleaf Drive (New Construction)	495,000	495,000
105 Horizon Drive	485,900	480,000
99 Alexander Drive	459,800	455,000
107 Alyson Drive	469,900	450,000
177 Bittersweet Circle	454,500	425,000
240 Fox Run Drive	429,900	420,000
107 Georgetown Court	399,900	399,900
125 Oak Ridge	389,000	375,000
214 Walnut Drive	365,000	350,000
133 Lake Colony Drive	349,900	349,900
157 Lakeview Drive	350,000	335,000
182 Gateshead Drive	325,000	310,500
208 King Richard Drive	319,900	300,000
250 King Richard Drive	294,500	294,500
115 Kathy Ann Lane	319,900	290,000
100 Fieldstone Court	289,900	289,900
343 Stonebrook Drive	298,745	285,400
227 Timberlake Drive	279,900	260,000
138 Lakeview Drive	249,900	249,900
233 Tepee Road	229,599	232,000
144 Marion Drive	224,900	210,000
122 Thomas Road	199,000	195,000
142 Brookdale Circle	177,900	170,000
233 Highway View Drive	159,900	154,900
104 Mervin Drive	28,772	40,250

There are a lot of great Peters Township homes on the market, so give me a call if you want to take a look at what's available.

Don't Buy if You Can't Stay Put (and Other Things Home Buyers Should Know)

Casey O. Smith - Pittsburgh Real Estate (Prime Realty Group at Keller Williams) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:25:14 -0500

According to CNN Money, here are the top 10 things you should know before buying a home:

1. Don't buy if you can't stay put

2. Start by shoring up your credit

3. Aim for a home you can really afford

4. If you can't put down the usual 20%, you may still qualify for a loan

5. Buy in a district with good schools

6. Get professional help

7. Choose carefully between points and rate

8. Before house hunting, get pre-approved

9. Do your homework before bidding

10. Hire a home inspector

Read the entire article.

Mt. Lebanon Real Estate Sales Up Again in June

Casey O. Smith - Pittsburgh Real Estate (Prime Realty Group at Keller Williams) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:21:30 -0500

Home sales in the Mt. Lebanon community grew again in June (51 compared to 41 in May). And this is higher than last June's total of 47.

For the first 6 months of 2009, however, real estate sales in Mt. Lebanon are still lower than the first half of 2008 (171 vs. 193). Here are the 51 homes that sold in June:

Address List Price Sold Price

152 Rock Haven Lane	850,000	843,000
888 Old Hickory Road	399,000	389,000
374 Midway Road	359,900	350,000
135 Crestvue Manor Drive	325,000	320,000
214 Hoodridge Drive	319,900	316,900
142 Mohawk Drive	309,900	305,500
246 Kenforest Drive	294,900	284,500
1014 Summer Place	289,900	281,000
716 Scrubgrass Road	279,900	279,900
290 Twin Hills Drive	269,900	260,500
941 Florida Avenue	269,000	260,000
883 MacArthur Drive	259,900	259,900
1207 Pinewood Drive	244,900	242,000
15 Iroquois Drive	239,900	233,500
875 N Meadowcroft Avenue	239,000	230,000
1505 Vallimont Drive	244,900	229,950
1440 Mohican Drive	239,900	227,000
201 Sunridge Drive	222,500	223,200
247 Baywood Avenue	225,000	218,000
20 Altadena Drive	218,000	218,000
466 Old Farm Road	219,900	215,000
114 Markham Drive	244,900	206,800
420 Old Farm Road	209,900	205,000
732 Kewanna Avenue	199,900	195,000
462 Summit Drive	197,500	195,000
548 Oxford Boulevard	195,000	195,000
505 Lyndhurst Avenue	199,900	190,000
114 Seneca Drive	199,900	189,000
241 Woodhave Drive	189,900	184,000
286 Sleepy Hollow Road	189,500	183,500
617 E Shady Drive	189,900	181,000
91 Seneca Drive	184,900	179,500
460 Mapleton Avenue	179,900	177,000
625 Overlook Drive	196,900	175,000
476 Sleepy Hollow Road	175,000	171,000
323 Sleepy Hollow Road	169,900	164,000
1175 Cedar Boulevard	164,900	160,000
266 Cochran Road	169,900	155,000
780 Brafferton Drive	154,000	154,000
35 Marlin Drive East	153,000	152,900
228 Questend Avenue	154,900	145,000
988 Lindendale Drive	149,900	145,000
154 Piper Drive	164,900	141,500
270 Mabrick Avenue	144,900	140,000
128 Shady Drive West	139,900	138,000
921 Margaretta Avenue	134,900	132,900
401 Carnegie Drive	144,995	119,000
780 Scott Road	129,900	119,000
878 McNeilly Road	113,900	113,500
454 Mapleton Avenue	104,900	108,000
224 Martin Avenue	29,000	35,750

If you are ready to buy or sell a home in Mt. Lebanon, I live in the community and know it well - so give me a call today.

Don't Be a Drip at Home

Casey O. Smith - Pittsburgh Real Estate (Prime Realty Group at Keller Williams) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:20:13 -0500

Many people believe that water will always be available, that there's a never-ending supply. Not true! We should all learn to conserve water now. From Green Healthy Home, here are some tips that will help you conserve water, save you money, and help the environment:

Leaky Faucets - This is a common example of water waste. Fix these, even if you have to call a plumber. It will help your water bill and conserve water at the same time.

Low Flows - When you invest in shower heads with a lower flow or toilets with a low flush level, you're working to conserve water.

Running Water - When washing dishes, brushing your teeth, etc., shut the water off and turn it back on when you need it. This is something simple that makes a big impact.

Washing Dishes - If you're doing them by hand, adjust the stream to the smallest that you can manage to get the job done, but minimize the water waste at the same time. If you have a dishwasher, make sure it's energy efficient and that you do full loads.

Doing Laundry - Make sure you're doing full loads, instead of smaller ones. And be sure that you're using a washing machine that's energy efficient. This can save as much as 40% water in your household.

Happy 100th Birthday, Dormont

Casey O. Smith - Pittsburgh Real Estate (Prime Realty Group at Keller Williams) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 08:50:32 -0500

To help Dormont celebrate its centennial, check out the book that chronicles the borough's history from its earliest years to the present. Dormont is a softbound 128-page book, with 207 pictures, that covers the borough's first 100 years in six chapters.

Muriel Moreland, president of the Dormont Historical Society, wrote this book. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "[d]uring her research, Mrs. Moreland said she was surprised by the population and housing boom that came to Dormont after the completion of the Liberty Tunnels in 1924 and the Liberty Bridge in 1928. She said from 1928 to 1938, the borough experienced a 478 percent growth."

For more information, visit the Dormont Historical Society website.

Happy birthday, Dormont!

Choose Your Home Colors Wisely

Casey O. Smith - Pittsburgh Real Estate (Prime Realty Group at Keller Williams) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 08:49:23 -0500

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.

Pittsburgh Fireworks: Schedule of Days and Times for 2009

Casey O. Smith - Pittsburgh Real Estate (Prime Realty Group at Keller Williams) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:46:12 -0500

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

Upper St. Clair Recreation Center Now Open

Casey O. Smith - Pittsburgh Real Estate (Prime Realty Group at Keller Williams) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:11:12 -0500

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.

Make Your Home Comfortable for Any Age

Casey O. Smith - Pittsburgh Real Estate (Prime Realty Group at Keller Williams) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:08:08 -0500

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.

The CAPS program goes beyond design to address common remodeling projects and their costs, product ideas, and resources needed to provide aging-in-place solutions.

Read a recent article that recommends seven things that you should always keep in mind for your aging-in-place residence.

Pittsburgh Makes List of Fittest Cities

Casey O. Smith - Pittsburgh Real Estate (Prime Realty Group at Keller Williams) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:05:50 -0500

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.

Your Home: Love It or Leave It

Casey O. Smith - Pittsburgh Real Estate (Prime Realty Group at Keller Williams) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:04:05 -0500

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.

Make Sure Your Home Is Safe During Summer Vacations

Casey O. Smith - Pittsburgh Real Estate (Prime Realty Group at Keller Williams) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 09:16:50 -0500

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.

Home Sales in Upper St. Clair Dip in May

Casey O. Smith - Pittsburgh Real Estate (Prime Realty Group at Keller Williams) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:15:47 -0500

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.