real estate: Do You Need a Home Security System?
- 08/12/09 01:18 AM
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 … (0 comments)
real estate: Home Buying and Single Women
- 07/15/09 02:38 AM
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 … (0 comments)
real estate: Choose Your Home Colors Wisely
- 07/07/09 01:49 AM
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 … (0 comments)
real estate: Make Your Home Comfortable for Any Age
- 06/30/09 02:08 AM
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 … (0 comments)
real estate: Pittsburgh Makes List of Fittest Cities
- 06/30/09 02:05 AM
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 … (0 comments)
real estate: Your Home: Love It or Leave It
- 06/30/09 02:04 AM
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 … (0 comments)
real estate: Make Sure Your Home Is Safe During Summer Vacations
- 06/17/09 02:16 AM
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 … (0 comments)
real estate: Display the Flag Properly at Your Home
- 06/16/09 02:14 AM
In honor of National Flag Day on June 14, here are some rules for displaying and handling the flag at your home: 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; … (0 comments)
real estate: Essential Advice for First-Time Home Buyers
- 06/10/09 01:22 AM
According to Kiplinger, here are 7 crucial tips to keep in mind when buying your first home: 1. Lay the groundwork. The first step is figuring out how much house you can afford and how much you can borrow. 2. Take your time. You might not find your dream home, but you don't have to settle for any old house just because you feel under the gun to buy something. 3. Realize you won't find the perfect home. You won't find a house that has everything you want. Make a list of what's important so you can zero in on a home that comes closest to suiting … (0 comments)
real estate: 10 Reasons to Remodel Green
- 06/03/09 06:25 AM
According to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, there are lots of reasons to go green when you remodel your home: Lowers energy consumption Reduces operating costs in the home by increasing efficiency Conserves natural resources Increases the value of the home Improves indoor air quality and in turn, overall health Reduces waste and emissions Lowers pollution, causing less harm to the environment Increases productivity of occupants Improves quality of life and raises comfort Saves money Learn more, including ways you can implement green concepts into your home in small ways. … (0 comments)
real estate: Relocating to Pittsburgh? You're Not Alone
- 06/02/09 02:05 AM
Pittsburgh appears on two lists related to relocation, so it looks like people are continuing to see the benefits of our city. U-Haul released the results of its annual National Migration Trend Report called "The 2008 Top 50 U.S. Destination Cities." According to moving data for the last calendar year, Pittsburgh came in at #26. Also, Relocate-America compiled its list of the Top 100 Places to Live using data regarding education, employment, economy, crime, parks, recreation and housing. Pittsburgh was in the top 10! Related Posts: Pittsburgh Ranked as #3 Arts Destination Pittsburgh Is the Most Romantic City for Baby Boomers Pittsburgh Ranks as a Top … (0 comments)
real estate: Take a Fresh Look at the Home You're Selling
- 05/29/09 02:31 AM
Even though you like your house the way it is, it might not appeal to others who have different tastes. So put aside your personal feelings and try these 5 simple home styling steps to get a potential buyer to fall in love with your home. 1. Target your possible buyersBefore adjusting your home's style, it's important to know who's the most likely group of buyers. Consider what type of home you have and who it would suit best. Decorating may be different for a family compared to a retired couple. 2. Highlight the good and "hide" the bad Think about the … (0 comments)
real estate: Pittsburgh Ranked as #3 Arts Destination
- 05/29/09 02:29 AM
For the second year in a row, AmericanStyle Magazine has named Pittsburgh as the #3 arts destination among the nation's mid-sized cities: "You may think that sports rule in a city still ringing from its sixth Super Bowl win, but a recent survey by a local statistical tracking group proved that the arts are king in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh Today's report showed that more people attend art events than sporting events in the city each year." The magazine mentioned our annual Three Rivers Arts Festival, one of the longest multidisciplinary art festivals in the country (scheduled for June 5-14 this year). And it named the … (0 comments)
real estate: Benefits of Home Grown Food
- 05/29/09 02:27 AM
With today's economy, many families are reviving the tradition of a home vegetable garden. Not only is the back-to-garden movement saving money on grocery bills, but it's putting healthier food on the table. Here are a few more benefits from the Nutrition Data Blog: Fresh vegetables are more nutritious. When they're harvested just moments before you serve them, you're getting the absolute maximum nutritional benefit. You can grow organic a lot cheaper than you can buy it. Organic produce may feel like a luxury you can't afford. But you can grow your own organic produce using composted kitchen scraps as natural fertilizer. Eating local saves energy … (0 comments)
real estate: Free Report: The Remodeling Market in Transition
- 05/19/09 12:56 AM
The home improvement industry, much like the broader housing market, experienced a severe downturn, but a report by the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University finds that prospects for growth are already developing. "As the housing market stabilizes and the broader economy begins to recover, remodeling activity will return to a more normal pace of growth. As credit conditions thaw, owners will find it easier to finance their home improvement projects. As home prices edge back up, owners will again see the wealth-building benefits of investing in their homes. And as sales pick up, recent buyers will want to make improvements … (0 comments)
real estate: Hold a Yard Sale Before Selling Your House
- 05/13/09 03:02 AM
If you're getting ready to sell your house or just want to do some spring cleaning, holding a garage or yard sale can be a great way to clear out clutter and earn some extra cash. Here are some tips, provided by Bottom Line: The best time to hold your sale is on a weekend when a local church or civic group is staging a large rummage sale. Many of those shoppers will visit nearby garage sales as well. Start your sale 30 minutes earlier than other sales. Avoid scheduling your sale for a holiday weekend when people are away from … (0 comments)
real estate: Can Your Home Take the Heat?
- 05/12/09 02:41 AM
As temperatures continue to rise, so will electricity consumption driven by the use of fans and air conditioners. What can you do to stay cool and save money? Thanks to Green Home for passing along these tips: Close your drapes and blinds during the day. Set your air conditioner thermostat to 78 or higher when at home. Turn it to 85 degrees or off, when you leave. (Air conditioners make up as much as 60% of summer energy bills.) Clean or replace air conditioning filters. Use fans to circulate air (they can allow you to set the thermostat at least 4 degrees higher.) Turn … (0 comments)
real estate: Dowtown Living in Pittsburgh Is Growing
- 04/29/09 03:01 AM
According to Pittsburgh Magazine, "Living right in the heart of the city - downtown and the nearby Strip District - is a growing trend in Pittsburgh. It's hot, and it shows no signs of stopping. The number of people living in the Golden Triangle area is expected to increase by 20 percent in 2009. To compare, in 1990, 1,569 people lived in the area. In 2000, 1,645 people called the Golden Triangle home, and by 2008, the number was up to 2,148." Read the entire article. … (0 comments)
real estate: Avoid 8 Pet Mistakes When Selling Your Home
- 04/28/09 04:14 AM
From wikiFido, here are eight mistakes that pet owners frequently make when they try to sell their homes. By avoiding these common errors you can increase interest in your home and the possibility that you'll receive the highest selling price in your market. 1. Having your pet home at open houses.2. Not cleaning daily.3. Leaving droppings in the backyard.4. Assuming your home has no pet odor.5. Leaving evidence that a pet lives in the home.6. Not marketing your home to other pet lovers.7. Adding "dog is friendly" to the MLS.8. Being home during property showings. Read the entire article.
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real estate: Best Home Products of the Past Decade
- 04/22/09 04:00 AM
Many great products for people and the planet have emerged over the past 10 years. Natural Home magazine picked the following 20 categories as their favorites in innovation. You may want to consider putting some of these into your own home. Natural LinoleumNatural CleanersLED LightsNatural MattressesFront-Loading WashersClay PlasterFSC-Certified WoodRecycled Paper SurfacesLow- and No-VOC Paints, Stains & FinishesLow-E WindowsHemp FabricStructural Insulated PanelsRecycled Cotton & Cellulose InsulationProgrammable "Smart" ThermostatsRecycled Glass Terrazzo & TilesFiberboardsDual-Flush ToiletsTankless & Solar Water HeatersLow-Flow Showerheads & FaucetsTubular Skylights Read the entire article. … (0 comments)
Statistics and helpful info about the Pittsburgh, Mt. Lebanon, Upper St. Clair, Dormont, Peters Township, Scott Township and Nevillwood real estate markets.
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:
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