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. 12/05/2009

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. 12/03/2009

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. Even better, last week's report showed gains over a year ago. Then we get some really good news, According to Forbes Magazine, Pittsburgh is one of the cities leading the country out of the recession. As the 4th Fastest-Recoveri... 12/02/2009

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 Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride around the city leave from Oxford Center or PPG Plaza on Saturday and Sunday throughout December. Check out one of the many holiday shows going on in the Cultural District. Finally, top the season off with F... 12/01/2009

I was driving around the Northside last week and took a few pictures that I thought I would share of the area. The homes are beautiful, there is so much to do and it's close to downtown Pittsburgh. West Park The New Mr. Roger's Park on the North Shore New Redevelopment on Western Avenue Beech Avenue, Northside Amazing Gothic Architecture New Development on Federal Street Ballfield in Fineview A fine view from Fineview on Light Up Night 2009 Interested in buying or selling a home on Pittsburgh's Northside? 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. 11/30/2009

It’s not uncommon to be asked how the real estate market is, and the good news is that it’s getting better. But depending on which side of the equation you are on, the answer really is “It’s great”. Investing 101 will tell you to “buy low and sell high” but reality tells us that most people do the exact opposite. When the market (real estate or stock) is booming, everyone wants to get in, so they buy, which drives the market higher, which makes more people want to get in, and drives the market higher and so on. But what those people really did was to buy at the top of the market, when prices are high. Then when the bust came, everyone wanted out so they sold, low. And the worse it gets, the more they want to sell and the lower the prices go. I don’t claim to be able to tell the future b... 11/29/2009

Good news about Pittsburgh's housing market! Home sales increased 7.4 percent during October and were even better in Allegheny county, where they were up 15.1 percent over October 2008. The median price rose by 3.4 percent to $120,000 and foreclosures fell by 8.8 percent. Read the entire story... http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/business/s_654205.html Now is a great time to buy a 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. 11/24/2009

Ready to sell your home? Be sure your agent gets your home sold and seen online. Here are a few facts to consider: 87% of all buyers used the Internet as part of their home search 94% of 25-44 years old buyers used the Internet as part of their home search 33% of all buyers looked on-line for property as the first step in the home buying process 99% of buyers found the Internet "Useful" or Very Useful" 98% found their agent "Useful" or "Very Useful" 29% found newspaper or magazine ads "Very Useful" 34% of buyers found the home they purchased through an agent 32% found the home they purchased through the Internet ONLY 4% visited an open house first ONLY 3% found the home they purchased through a newspaper or magazine ad Ask your agent: What sites will my home be seen on? How will my home... 11/23/2009

Here is a great tip for gardeners: Municipalities are now taking all the leaves they clean from the roads and parks and composting it into mulch that is perfect for adding nutrients to your garden and helping keep moisture in the soil for your plants. You can read more about some of the local efforts in this story in the Trib... http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_652672.html. Looking for a home with a garden in Pittsburgh? Call Christa Ross from RE/MAX Select Realty, your certified green real estate agent and RE/MAX green specialist at 724-933-6300 x214 (office) or 724-779-1437 (direct) or visit my website at www.greenhomespgh.com. 11/22/2009

Good green choices have an impact on your home and the community. This is a series about green resources right here in Pittsburgh that you can use. Consider the Commute If you can afford it, make your next car a hybrid or clean diesel car. Tax credits for some popular models have been phased out but many others are still available. If you already own a diesel car you could consider getting it retrofitted by a local company, Fossil Free Fuels, who converts vehicles to run on vegetable oil (while still keeping the car able to run off traditional diesel fuel, if necessary). Try another form of transport occasionally. Walking and riding are good for the environment and your health. BikePgh, Street Smarts and other partners sponsor Car Free Fridays during the summer. If you are new to bike c... 11/18/2009

Good green choices have an impact on your home and the community. This is a series about green resources right here in Pittsburgh that you can use. Unplug the Vampire Stop the vampire from sucking energy from your home. TVs, DVD players, computers and chargers all keep using power even when they are "off". According to a 2002 study, standby power can makeup 5-26% of a homes annual electricity use. Unplug anything that isn't being used or plug them into a power strip and flip the switch to shut down. You can also try a "smart" power strip, that senses sleep mode and cuts the power. Looking for a home that saves energy in Pittsburgh? Call Christa Ross from RE/MAX Select Realty, your certified green real estate agent and RE/MAX green specialist at 724-933-6300 x214 (office) or 724-779-1437... 11/17/2009

Good green choices have an impact on your home and the community. This is a series about green resources right here in Pittsburgh that you can use. Greening Our Buildings Green buildings, homes and schools are an important part of the quality of life in our community and the most exciting news is that Pittsburgh is leading the way! You can get involved too. The first place to start is the Green Building Alliance. This non-profit organization is focused on driving the market for green buildings and green building products. They also advocate for the construction of green schools. Did you know that over 25% of students attend schools that are considered substandard or dangerous to occupant health? By building green schools districts can save money and provide better environments for their... 11/16/2009

Good green choices have an impact on your home and the community. This is a series about green resources right here in Pittsburgh that you can use. Sustainable Gardening Do you really want to eat food that has been coated with products that have warning labels on them? Phipps Conservatory has a host of sustainable gardening tips on their website from mulching, composting, healthy ways to prevent pests and retaining rainwater. Speaking of rainwater, if you live in the Nine Mile Run Watershed area, located in Pittsburgh’s East End, you can get a rain barrel for a reduced cost or even free if you live in one of their study neighborhoods. If you are ready to take your gardening skills to the street then you might want to get involved with the urban gardening initiatives of Grow Pittsburgh. ... 11/15/2009

Good green choices have an impact on your home and the community. This is a series about green resources right here in Pittsburgh that you can use. Buy Local There are excellent reasons to buy and eat local foods. Like reducing the amount of fossil fuels required to ship from other parts of the world and supporting local farmers and the local economy. Plus who wouldn't agree that the best tasting food is right off the vine? buylocalpa can help you find fresh and local foods here in Pittsburgh.   A few  places to check out are Whole Foods in East Liberty, The East End Food Co-Op in Point Breeze, Right by Nature in the Strip District and Schwartz Market on the Southside. Matter of fact, Schwartz Market will be hosting a Thanksgiving Local Farmer's Market on November 21, 2009 that will fea... 11/14/2009

Good green choices have an impact on your home and the community. This is the start of a series about great green resources here in Pittsburgh that you can use. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle There is a reason that the three R's are in a certain order. Because our first goal should be to use less, then reuse what we have, before we finally send it to be recycled. You might be amazed at some of the ways things can be reused, like a guy in Texas who reused salvaged materials to build a whole house. Be creative and you'll also end up with some terrific conversation pieces. Closer to home, several local artists and boutiques specialize in reusing salvaged items. Local Artist Jeanne Cherry makes cool things out of old typewriters, keys and spoons. You can see her work at junxtaposition.com or go to ... 11/13/2009

I visited the Riverside Mews Condominium project on Pittsburgh's South Side a few weeks ago. These LEED certified, high-end condos being built by Sota Construction show exactly how beautiful and high-quality a green home can be. The first thing you notice about the project is the modern geometric styling that incorporates outdoor space in every home. Plans call for a total of 48 units to be built between 18th and 19th Street on Pittsburgh’s South Side. The homes were voted Best Green / Energy Efficient Homes under 500K by the Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh in 2008. And rightfully so, they incorporate the latest energy-efficient building techniques and materials, as well as amazing luxury finishes. Low-VOC paint throughout, bamboo floors, sustainable produced ceramic til... 10/22/2009

Single family home has newer hot water tank, new kitchen & foyer flooring, newer carpeting. Needs a some TLC, but can be lived in as is. Previous rentors living in the house as-is paid $350/month plus utilities. Utilities work and are still on. If you like alot of land, this sale includes an additional lot so total land is 30,941 sq ft. 1 or 2-BDR* (*Master bedroom adjoins another smaller room which could be used as another bedroom or an office/computer room.) Other rooms include bathroom, kitchen, diningroom, livingroom and an addition onto the diningroom; central heat; Fireplace; Full basement; Front porch goes length of house; Back of house has concrete pad and attached outside storage room. Includes stove/refridgerator. Secluded area with a lot of trees and land - see greenery and n... 08/27/2009

Being from a high volume REO listing office, and focussing on buyer and seller representation of REO properties, my phone is constantly ringing with calls from out of state investors who know a good thing, when they see it. I maen where else in this country, today, can you spend under 100k, and pick up a 4 unit building that has a $2,400 dollar a month rent roll. It's almost unheard of. My phone also rings with calls from out of state investors who have the right idea, but not neccessarily the right product. The Investors who think they may have a jump on the game, and have a fair amount of cash in hand, and got the inside track on wholesale deals have started chiming in now too, and if you ask me, the new is not so good. About 2 months ago, I received a call from a couple of guys out o... 08/27/2009

Squirrel Hill is a prosperous and easygoing middle-class neighborhood located east of Downtown Pittsburgh. The area features an established shopping district filled with small businesses, evenly mixed with local and national chain stores. Best know as a center for Pittsburgh’s Jewish community, it caters to diverse group of residents in age, income, profession and ethnic background. In the beginning, Squirrel Hill was the ‘burbs, and it still retains its wide, leafy residential streets and beautiful brick and stone homes. Squirrel Hill is served by the Pittsburgh Public School District and several prestigious private schools. Walk-ability: Squirrel Hill ranks as a Walker’s Paradise with a walk score of 98 out of 100. One trip to the area makes it easy to see why. Almost every imaginable... 08/26/2009

East Liberty is a historic and culturally diverse neighborhood located in Pittsburgh’s East End. Through its history East Liberty has had some big ups and downs. One look at the amazing East Liberty Presbyterian Church (my daughter calls it a princess castle) and architecturally interesting buildings on Penn Avenue and it is easy to glimpse East Liberty’s booming past. Unfortunately, this area was also the victim of misguided urban development policy. By the mid 1970’s it was best known for abandoned storefronts and high crime. The good news is that East Liberty has been working its way back up the ranks of Pittsburgh neighborhoods, thanks in part to an aggressive nonprofit community development corporation, East Liberty Development, Inc. (ELDI). ELDI has spearheaded the recovery of the... 08/25/2009