Home owners and home buyers are much more aware of "green" building, sustainable and energy efficient products and there are easy ways you can make quick fixes to your home or condo to boost its property value, without needing to refinance or inherit a fortune from a deceased uncle.   Buy Energy Star Appliances.  Energy Star was designed by the EPA to take the guesswork out of appliance buying. Look for the blue-and-white label, which means the item is at least 10 to 50 percent more efficient than standard models (depending on the class of product). That means lower energy bills and less pollution. More than 18,000 products in 35 different categories are covered in the Energy Star program, and most major manufacturers participate. Energy Star is a fixture in the showrooms of most retail... 02/26/2009

According to HGTV, here are some common home improvement myths you should avoid when trying to add value to your home: Myth #1: Any remodel is a good one.Some people think that any improvement is a good one, but not all home improvements are created equal. When making a renovation, keep in mind that you might want to sell the place one day. Myth #2: I can do it myself.You may be convinced that you can do it just as well as a contractor, but you can't. There are certain low-risk projects that are very simple to tackle on your own, but there are many others for which you need a professional. Myth #3: Pools add value.A lot of people think that adding a swimming pool or hot tub is a sure seller. That's not always true. Location is extremely important. You should think long and hard about bu... 02/25/2009

There were only 5 homes sold in Upper St. Clair during January.  This compares to 12 for the previous month and 17 last January.  Let's hope things improve for sellers in this great community. Address                        List Price   Sold Price 1660 Pinetree Drive 369,900 360,000 1416 Langport Drive 245,900 237,000 1296 Rolling Meadow Road 239,900 236,000 860 Lochlin Drive 229,900 229,900 1801 Tyburn Lane 199,000 178,000 There are over 100 homes for sale right now in Upper St. Clair (ranging in price from $120,000 to almost $3 million). If you or someone you know is interested in buying a home there, give me a call today! Related Posts:  Upper St. Clair Home Sales Match Previous Year's Total Upper St. Clair Real Estate Sales for November Upper St. Clair Sees Dip in October Real Estat... 02/24/2009

According to Builder magazine, the American consumer is starting to think that bigger is not always better when it comes to houses: "Consumers in 2009 want to live in a home that is cozier, more organized, and more economical in terms of operating costs than perhaps they would have wanted in the past. That includes ‘Wii-sized' and media-centric family gathering rooms with enough floor space for playing the popular and physically interactive Nintendo video games. Consumers also want more storage to keep clutter under control in these supposedly smaller homes, which could include anything from built-in shelving to a pantry that allows families to save money on groceries by stocking up on food staples." Read the entire article. 02/24/2009

Here's the list of 3 homes that sold in the South Side of Pittsburgh during January.  Not a good start to the year, but only 5 houses sold last January and the monthly average for 2008 was 8 sales.  Address              List Price  Sold Price 1814 Sidney Street 349,900 342,000 2330 Sidney Street 159,000 155,000 113 S 12th Street 124,000 90,000 There are over 115 South Side homes on the market, so this is a great time to buy. Give me a call today if you want to see what homes are available! Related Posts:  Pittsburgh's South Side: Real Estate Sales Didn't Change Much from Previous Year Which Homes Sold on Pittsburgh's South Side in October? Pittsburgh's South Side: Which Homes Sold in August and September?  Which of Pittsburgh's South Side Homes Sold in July? Home Sales on Pittsburgh's S... 02/24/2009

It's that time again. The Pittsburgh Home & Garden Show (February 27-March 8 at the Convention Center, Downtown) is the largest home show in Pennsylvania.  It will feature over 1500 displays of home and garden products, fully furnished and landscaped model homes, seminars on home improvement, model kitchens and baths, and home decorating ideas. They will set up more than 9 acres of landscape, garden and patio exhibits, including everything from decks, sunrooms and pools to furniture, flowers and paving stones. The construction and remodeling center will include the latest products and services for home building or renovations. For the kitchen, there will be a display of kitchen cabinetry, appliances, fixtures and accessories, plus specialty food products. Hours for this year's Pittsburg... 02/18/2009

I thought I'd remind everyone that a study ranked Pittsburgh as the #1 romantic city for baby boomers.  (Ok, it wasn't a recent study but, since new research hasn't been done since, I think we can say that Pittsburgh still holds this title...) According to the study, "boomer marriage rates in Pittsburgh ranked eighth among the 50 largest metro areas in the United States. The study also found that Pittsburgh has the second-lowest percent of divorced and separated boomer adults among the 50 largest cities." "These factors weighed heavily in our study, while ballroom dancing, floral, jewelry and candy sales, and great restaurants-some of the ways boomers keep romance in bloom-supplemented our findings." Check out the complete report, including the other cities who made the list.  And if yo... 02/18/2009

No surprise here:  U.S. News & World Report says "the number of Americans using the Internet to find the home of their dreams is poised to keep on climbing. 87 percent of home buyers used the Internet to search for homes in the past year."  Here's the publication's look at the top five Internet home-buying blunders you should avoid: Assuming you can do it all yourself. The Internet allows users to handle many of the tasks that could once only be performed by real estate agents. The Internet can provide heaps of helpful tips and research, but it would be a mistake to assume that it's all you need to buy a house. Looking too narrowly.The amount of information about the real estate market online can be overwhelming.  So buyers can be tempted to stick to just one or two real estate search e... 02/11/2009

Mt. Lebanon began the 2009 real estate season with 18 houses sold in January (compared to 15 homes sold in Mt. Lebanon last January).  Address                          List Price  Sold Price 115 Altadena Drive 389,900 382,500 85 Iroquois Drive 399,000 375,000 220 Hazel Drive 269,900 265,000 117 Markham Drive 259,900 253,000 117 Sunridge Drive 219,900 227,900 965 Lindendale Drive 209,000 197,500 100 Markham Drive 219,900 195,000 318 Ashland Avenue 199,900 194,000 460 Arden Road 199,500 194,000 211 Mayfair Drive 179,900 166,000 661 Shady Drive East 172,900 165,000 550 Kelso Road 174,900 163,000 319 Newburn Drive 139,500 139,500 542 Clemson Drive 132,900 131,770 1190 Cedar Boulevard 119,900 107,500 1012 Connor Road 99,900 95,000 465 S Meadowcroft Avenue 69,900 65,000 315 Martin Avenue 59,9... 02/10/2009

Deciding to downsize can occur for a number of different reasons (kids are gone, maintenance issues, etc).  From The Peters Township Source magazine, here are some items to consider when you're ready to move from a single-family home to a condominium-style residence:   Design A newer, simpler living space can feature a number of design details specifically geared towards those looking to downsize.  The design should emphasize comfort, convenience, and efficient use of space.   Function Downsizing is about functionality. By eliminating many of the everyday responsibilities that burden single-family howeowners, downsizing can open up new avenues for employment, travel or recreation.   Philosophy Downsizing does not mean having to make sacrifices; the same amenities that are typical in a l... 02/10/2009

Take These Simple Steps to Protect Your Personal and Corporate IdentityBy Christine EmmickIdentity theft is something most people do not think about until it is too late. Statistics show over two-hundred-thousand people fall victim to identity theft each year just in the United States alone. With these numbers growing, identity theft prevention is more important than ever. Here are some ways you can protect yourself from identity thieves.Use your credit card instead of your debit card. Credit cards tend to carry more identity theft protection, such as zero-liability for unauthorized purchases. After just two days you may be liable for up to $500 in unauthorized charges on your debit card, and after 60 days you may be liable for all of it.Choose just one credit card for your everyday pur... 02/05/2009

The South Side Mid-Winter Soup Contest will take place on Saturday, February 21, starting at noon.  Participating shops will feature kettles of soup prepared by neighborhood restaurants.  All you do is donate at least $5 and one can of soup, and then you're given a map so you can "soup-hop" all afternoon. Not only do the local businesses along Pittsburgh's East Carson Street benefit, but this event also helps stock the Brashear Association Food Pantry for months, feeding the needy of our community.  For more information and to buy tickets, visit South Side's website. 02/04/2009

This Old House provides a list of 50 things you can do yourself to lower your household expenses.  They include:  Turning down the thermostat on your water heater Using the microwave instead of your stove; it consumes half the power Planting a deciduous tree on the south, west, or east side of your house; it'll shade your roof and cut your cooling costs by up to 30 percent Getting gently used tools, electronics, and furniture from Freecycle Comparative shopping online for everything from light fixtures to fridges; ask your local retailer to match the lowest price you find For the other 45 ideas, check out their complete list. 02/03/2009

Way to go, Steelers!  We knew you would win the Superbowl (ok, it was a little close).  Some complain about all of the attention this game gets and say we should be focusing on more important issues, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to point out that this is another reason why Pittsburgh is a great city to live in. Yeah, it's just a sport but it definitely brings the community together. Related Posts: 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 02/02/2009

Homeowners and home buyers have another tool available for learning more about the people in a particular neighborhood.  Criminal Searches has a "Neighborhood Watch" feature, which allows you to enter a zip code, city, or address and then shows you offenders by type of crime on a Google map.  You can also click on each person and pull up detailed information on what their exact offense or offenses were and when they were committed. Related Post:  Are the Streets in Your Neighborhood Safe? 01/28/2009

Sorry for not pointing this out sooner, but the EPA designated January as National Radon Action Month. Here are some things you can do to take action before the month is over: Test Your Home for Radon - EPA and the U.S. Surgeon General recommend that all homes be tested for radon.  Testing is easy and inexpensive. Learn more about testing your home, including how to obtain an easy-to-use test kit. Spread the Word - Tell your family and friends about the health risks of radon.  Encourage them to test their homes. Buy a Radon-Resistant Home - If you are considering buying a new home, look for builders who use radon-resistant new construction. Learn more at "Building Radon Out: A Step-by-Step Guide to Build Radon-Resistant Homes." You can't see, smell, or taste radon, but it could be prese... 01/27/2009

Upper St. Clair Today published a nice article about the ice rink in Mt. Lebanon: "Mt. Lebanon Ice Rink is open to everyone at the same low cost Mt. Lebanon residents pay. The ice center, conveniently located in the Mt. Lebanon Recreation Center in Mt. Lebanon Park off Cedar Boulevard, began its 32nd season this fall. The ice rink has a regulation ice skating rink and a smaller studio rink. In addition to well-maintained ice, professional instructors and ice guards, the rink offers stadium seating, skate rental, a pro shop, and a snack bar." Read the entire article (on page 70).  For more information, contact Mt. Lebanon. 01/27/2009

As reported by TreeHugger, here's a real estate tool you may want to check out if you're looking for a new home: "There is a very cool website that has the ability to take into account all the things you do on a regular basis, and then pinpoints the best spot for you to live so that you are central to everything you most enjoy, effectively minimizing your carbon footprint. Called OptimalHomeLocation.com, the website gives you options for entering in places your family commutes to often, including offices, schools, daycare, the gym, friend's houses and so on. Based on what you enter, it figures out a central location. It also pops up the average property tax, home and condo value, and other helpful facts for finding a place to live. You can also compare daily commutes for different addre... 01/27/2009

Real estate sales for Pittsburgh's South Side decreased slightly in 2008 (99 homes sold compared to 110 sold in 2007), but it was only a difference of 1 house per month.  Here's the list of South Side homes that sold in November and December:  Address                     List Price Sold Price 89 S 14th Street 246,750 250,000 2301 Berg Street 89,900 90,400 43 Eleanor Street 85,900 78,000 2715 Harcum Way 74,900 71,316 2322 Jane Street 60,000 60,000 2623 Stella Street 65,000 54,000 2434 Cobden Street 49,900 48,000 50 Sharon Street 19,900 10,000 1938 Shamokin Street 9,999 9,999 3153 Josephine Street 9,900 7,200 437 Ormsby Drive 9,601 5,000  Related Posts:  Which Homes Sold on Pittsburgh's South Side in October? Pittsburgh's South Side: Which Homes Sold in August and September?  Which of Pit... 01/21/2009

When buying or selling your home, picking an agent is one of those critical issues that can cost or save you big bucks. Let's face it - in real estate, as in life - not all things are created equal.   There are some questions you should be asking to ensure that you get the best person for your needs: What makes you different? Why should I work with you? What is your company's track record and reputation in the marketplace? What are your marketing plans for my home? What has your company done in my area? How many buyers are you currently working with? Do you have a reference list of clients I could contact? What happens if I'm not happy with the job you're doing? Not all real estate agents are the same, so you need some good information before you make any moves. It's critical that you m... 01/20/2009