pittsburgh: Should You Ask For A Seller's Assist - 10/06/15 02:43 AM
Is it a good idea or a bad idea to ask for a seller's assist when making an offer on a home?

The best way to look at a seller’s assist is that it is real money to the seller. For example an offer of $370,000 with a 3% sellers assist ($11,100) is just about the same thing to the seller as an offer of $358,900 without a sellers assist, because in both cases the final net amount they receive in their check at closing is $358,900 (minus their closing costs).

Reasons for asking for a seller’s assist…
You will bring less money … (2 comments)

pittsburgh: Wilkinsburg: The next big thing - 05/20/15 09:45 PM
I am going to talk today about a neighborhood that I see as often overlooked, and a prime opportunity, for investment and redevelopment in the Pittsburgh area - Wilkinsburg. For those who don't believe that, let me present a few interesting facts about Wilkinsburg that might change your mind.

1. Affordability - As east end neighborhoods continue to see significant price increases, the pressure for affordable housing transfers to ajacent communities, one of which is Wilkinsburg. Like several other neighborhoods that have seen their renissance, Wilkinsburg has started to become home for artists and young families looking for inexpensive places to put … (1 comments)

pittsburgh: Joy of Cookies Cookie Tour - 11/20/14 08:10 PM
One of the great things about Lawrenceville is that something fun is always happening and December is no exception. The fifteenth annual Joy of Cookies Cookie Tour is taking place Thursday December 4th through Sunday, December 7th. 30 local businesses are participating so you can get some holiday shopping done and sample the shopkeepers favorite cookies. On Saturday, hit the Cookie Mall at the Saint Augustine’s Social Hall, 220 37th Street to stock up on homemade treats for the holidays and the kids can participate in all the fun activities happening there between 11-2. Yum!
Get your map of Cookie Tour … (5 comments)

pittsburgh: Sellers Disclosure - Don't Hide Problems - 08/06/14 05:04 AM


One of the documents you will be given as a seller is the Seller's Disclosure. This is a 6 page (in PA) document where you will be asked to fill out listing everything you know about your home.
 
For many sellers, their inclination is to only present their home in the best light, and while this can be tempting, the seller disclosure should not be looked at as a sales tool, because in reality is is a liability reduction tool. By revealing up-front everything you know about the home, honestly and to the best of your knowledge, you … (0 comments)

pittsburgh: We Are Franklin Regional! - 04/09/14 09:58 PM
I am sure by now you all know what happened in our school district yesterday. I am blessed that my own children are younger, and while my son goes to Middle School his involvement was limited to a minor inconvenience.
And so yesterday was a surreal experience of watching video of my neighborhood plastered across the national news. Talking to friends and acquaintances who had been directly affected, and today we are praying for the full recovery of the victims, and all our children to have a safe, uneventful day at school.
You have now seen our community from the helicopters flying … (0 comments)

pittsburgh: ReEnergize Pittsburgh - 02/27/14 10:14 PM
Did you know that the average age of Pittsburgh housing is 55 years old, that is compared to just 37 years old for the country as a whole. Even more outstanding is the fact that 22 of the 90 neighborhoods in the city have an average home age of over 100 years old. If you own an older homes, the coming cold weather may mean higher utility bills and a chilly home.
But there is help! ReEnergize Pgh
is focused on helping homeowners find cost effective ways to make their homes more comfortable to live in and less expensive to … (0 comments)

pittsburgh: Interview with ReEnergize Pgh Coaliltion Member, Christa Ross - 01/09/14 09:00 PM
As a Realtor specializing in green and energy efficient homes I work with a group called ReEnergize Pittsburgh that is working to reduce residential energy waste throughout Allegheny County, help create jobs, and improve air quality. One of the goals of the real estate committee is to consider ways to make energy efficient upgrades more valuable in the real estate market, including helping to make sure that when people sell they are getting value for those improvements in their market price and appraisal and making it easier for people who are looking for green homes to find them. A few weeks ago … (1 comments)

pittsburgh: PA's Transportation Bill Must Include Money For Biking and Walking - 11/18/13 01:40 AM
Biking and walking trails are important to me, to the future of our region and our country.
More people biking and walking will improve the health of our population, leading to reduced health care costs. Fewer cars on the road will lead to less dependence on foreign oil, less stress on our existing transportation infrastructure and better air quality. More biking and walking also leads buyers to consider homes closer to the city core, where they can choose from several options for short commutes, reducing sprawl.
It is amazing that a simple shift from car-dependence to a cycling or walking focus can benefit … (0 comments)

pittsburgh: Get ready for winter at the Energy Faire in Regent Square - 09/24/13 04:21 AM
Get your home ready for the winter by attending the Energy Faire tomorrow evening, September 25th from 6-8:30pm. The event is being held at 1400 South Braddock Ave. Pittsburgh, Pa and is hosted in partnership with the Sustainability at Penn State' s National Energy Leadership Corp [NELC} and ReEnergize Pgh
"We are inviting homeowners to meet local and trusted energy professionals and financiers that can help them make the right decisions for upgrading their homes - Think of it as “speed dating for your home improvement needs”.
All professionals were prescreened by ReEnergize partners to ensure quality work.
Home improvement upgrades … (0 comments)

pittsburgh: 2013 Pittsburgh Solar Tour - 09/23/13 01:31 AM
I am passing this upcoming event on to those that are considering solar for their homes or businesses, here is an opportunity to see how it has been done and ask questions of the owners. Penn Future is hosting the 2013 Pittsburgh Solar Tour is October 12, 2013 from 11-4pm. The self guided tour is free or you can sign up for a $10 guided bike tour. Locations are all around our area, both the city and the suburbs. Click here to RSVP for the tour, for more information and to see the included sites.
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pittsburgh: Bike Score Now Available For Pittsburgh - 12/18/12 09:52 PM
WalkScore.com has now added BikeScore to their site in 25 cities, including Pittsburgh! Overall we have a 39 score, considered somewhat bikeable. We rate pretty well for things like "destinations" and "bike commuters", particularly in the East End neighborhoods. And a bit lowers on the "Hills" scale, no surprise there. Some of our neighborhoods, like Lawrenceville have higher bike scores (63) and walk scores (91) than the city as a whole. Now when you are looking for a home you can use WalkScore to see just how easy a bike commute will be. See more about the new bike score here...http://www.walkscore.com/bike/PA/Pittsburgh
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pittsburgh: Two Homegrown Holiday Events in Lawrenceville and East Liberty - 11/26/12 07:16 AM
Two really fun events are in store this upcoming weekend, and they may be the perfect antidote to the pain of watching Wal-mart shoppers last weekend fist-fighting over Chinese hand towels. (Truly in the holiday spirit :-(
East Liberty's Bakery Square is holding it's 6th Annual "I Made It" Holiday Market starting on Friday, November 30th from 5pm-10pm and continuing all day Saturday, December 1st. Handmade goods from 90+ local artists, including the perfect, one-of-a-kind gifts for all the unique people in your life. On Friday, Bakery Square will be lit Red in honor of World AIDS day. On Saturday, Santa … (1 comments)

pittsburgh: Mon Valley Micro Farms Plow Ahead Urban Farm Expo - 08/28/12 09:11 PM
Learn tips and tricks for farm to table living by the experts!Join the Mon Valley Initiative and North Braddock Cares, for demonstrations and information from expert urban farmers! Participants include Pittsburgh Post-Gazette columnist and organic gardener enthusiast, Doug Oster, the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA), McGinnis Sisters, Burgh Bees, Pittsburgh Poultry Garden Dreams Urban Farm and Nursery and Garfield Farms. Refreshments will be provided, lawn games will be available to play and entertainment will be provided by the Living Spirit Praise Band. Event is free to the public!
Date: Saturday September 8Time: 2:00 pm—5:00 pmLocation: 707 Parkview Avenue, North Braddock
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pittsburgh: Hatfield + Home Development Extends Lawrenceville Renewal - 08/28/12 01:11 AM
 
Construction and Sales Underway at Lawrenceville's Newest Housing Development  
(Pittsburgh, PA) – Crews from Mistick Construction have begun work on Lawrenceville’s newest housing development, Hatfield + Home with fourteen new houses along Hatfield Street between Home Street and Cotton Way.
The site, located about a block away from the Allegheny River, is one of the first new housing developments in the Central Lawrenceville neighborhood. “Along with the Botero renovations at 48th Street and the Locomotive Lofts rental housing, Hatfield + Home will help to establish the neighborhood as a key anchor to our Allegheny Riverfront Development Plan. We are … (1 comments)

pittsburgh: Golf For Miracles - RE/MAX Select Realty - 08/24/12 01:14 AM
I am not a golfer but my company does hold a very nice charity golf outing that benefits Children's Miracle Network each year in September. I am told it is a great event and if you do golf you might be interested... you can sign up by clicking here.
 
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pittsburgh: Craftsman Bungalow For Sale in Pittsburgh Area - 05/14/12 02:16 AM

Beautiful Craftsman style bungalow home for sale in Turtle Creek, just 10 miles east of downtown Pittsburgh and 2 miles from Monroeville and new UPMC East hospital. View details of the home and community. For more information go to www.monvalleyhome.com.
Presented by Christa Ross from RE/MAX Select Realty, at 724-933-6300 x214 (office) or 724-779-1437 (direct) or visit my website at www.bestpittsburghhomes.com.
(1 comments)

pittsburgh: The Future of Energy Efficiency in Pittsburgh - 04/23/12 10:06 PM
 This looks like a really fun event being held in Lawrenceville by the people at Penn Future. Learn about the future of Energy Efficiency and have some cocktails too! Click here for registration and more information.
 
The Electrifying Future of Efficiency
Open House and Trivia Quiz
What's your EE IQ? Test your knowledge at The Electrifying Future of Efficiency, our open house and quiz show on saving energy.
Join usStop by any time between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. to learn all about the newest trends in energy efficiency. Enjoy a cocktail whipped up by the Ladies United for the … (0 comments)

pittsburgh: Lawrenceville Alleghey Riverfront Green Boulevard Planning Meeting - 04/18/12 06:19 AM
A few weeks ago I attended the Allegheny Riverfront Green Boulevard Planning Meeting held in Lawrenceville. A big part of my interest is that this plan will significantly change the neighborhood near the new Hatfield+Home development that I am marketing, and has the potential to make our homes some of the hottest properties going.
What was being presented was a vision for the future of Pittsburgh and especially the city side of the riverfront from Downtown to beyond the city limits, and specifically the area around 43rd Street in Lawrenceville.

There were three areas of discussion at the meeting: Transportation, … (0 comments)

pittsburgh: Penn Hills Energy Efficiency Event - 04/17/12 01:45 AM
Time to make your home more efficient! Learn how at the Energy Efficiency Event in Penn Hills.
Attend a FREE energy efficiency event in Penn Hills!Learn how to make your home healthier, more comfortable and more affordable to save energy and lower your bills!
Win prizes and giveaways!Increase Home Values!Start Improving Your Home!Attend on 4/18!
Come to:Linton Middle School Cafeteria260 Aster St. Penn Hills (Bus Rt. 77)Wednesday, April 18th, 6-8pm
Food & Refreshments Provided!Families are Welcome!Spring is the perfect time to weatherize your home for future energy savings. Connect with programs and contractors at this session to learn how!
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pittsburgh: EPA's Greenhouse Gas Emitters Map - 03/18/12 10:49 PM
If you are concerned about the air quality in the area you are moving you might want to check out this recently released tool from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). An interactive map featuring data from its greenhouse gas report that lets you see what facilities in your area are the largest suppliers of fossil fuels and highest direct emitters of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Users can search for emitters by region, down to the street level, to see what type of greenhouse gases have been released as of 2010, at what quantities, and by whom.
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Christa Ross, Helping you buy and sell Pittsburgh's Best Homes (RE/MAX Select Realty - REALTOR and Green Homes Specialist)

Christa Ross

Helping you buy and sell Pittsburgh's Best Homes

Pittsburgh, PA

More about me…

RE/MAX Select Realty - REALTOR and Green Homes Specialist

Address: 5842 Ellsworth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15232

Office: 7249336300 x214

Mobile: (724) 309-1758

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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