ACTIVE RAIN GATHERING   Active Rain gatherings -- For those of you new or old to Active Rain, it can be a lot of fun to meet others that you have followed, who you have talked to, and those that you have made an online connection with.  For those of you that know me, I guess you can say that I am a social butterfly. I just love meeting people in general. But better yet, as I have mentioned, meeting in person those that you have connected with. Talk about solidifying those relationships, to bond with, and to grow into the future with. If you don't get tired reading these kinds of blogs, you can read about them in this group.  Active Rain Gatherings Group       Pittsburgh Pennsylvania     My neighbor with a few friends are driving up to Pittsburgh on August 25th to watch the Philadelphi... 08/22/2009

Regent Square is a tree-filled neighborhood located east of the city, just outside of the Squirrel Hill tunnels. This quaint area was one of my first picks because of the high walk score (74, according to walkscore.com) and its proximity to Frick Park. Regent Square is made up of four municipalities, Pittsburgh, Swissvale, Wilkinsburg and Edgewood and covered by three school districts, Pittsburgh, Wilkinsburg and Woodland Hills. The homes are generally mid-sized, older homes sitting on lovely brick streets. Walk-ability: This category is one of the big reasons Regent Square makes the cut. South Braddock Avenue forms the spine of a sweet business district. The flat, compact, tree-lined neighborhood allows residents to easily reach a variety of locally-owned establishments without the nee... 08/17/2009

As with any home purchase, you are choosing both a house and a community to live in. So it should come as no surprise that choosing to live a more sustainable lifestyle should also mean finding a great green community. I decided to take a look at how the different neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, PA stack up. To do this I looked at several important aspects of a green community. Over the next two weeks you can come back as I post the results of my little project to uncover Pittsburgh’s best, greenest, most sustainable neighborhoods. Walk-ability: This category is intended to rate how easy it is for residents to get basic services without the use of a car. Neighborhoods that allow residents to reach more important needs, such as grocery stores, post offices, dining, cleaners and entertainmen... 08/15/2009

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 livi... 08/12/2009

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 Related Posts:  South Side Real Estate Sales Increase in June Which Pittsburgh South Side Homes Sold During May? Pittsburgh's South Side: Real Estate Sales Grew in April Which South Side Houses Sold... 08/12/2009

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 H... 08/12/2009

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 l... 08/12/2009

Dear Friends- I try to keep readers updated with the happenings in the local REO market, so in an attempt to be as current as possible, here's the latest news I have from good sources. While many of us in the REO business thought that there would be a crush of properties entering the market in July, the previous information must not have been too good. Apparently because of the moratorium being stretched out, and the Pittsburgh market not being overrun with foreclosures like the rest of the country, over the past 3 months, the most active time in the real estate market, investors, and individuals have consumed the vast majority of the good deals that were out there. This is just the principle of supply and demand. The level of frustration I am seeing with buyers on a daily basis is huge... 08/12/2009

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. 08/12/2009

Usually when articles talk about selecting the right real estate agent they suggest getting referrals from someone you trust, or finding a neighborhood expert, but rarely do they talk about finding an agent that shares your environmental views. In 2008, Shelton Group’s Energy Pulse reported that 78% of homeowners said no one mentioned energy efficiency during their purchase process. So how important is it that homebuyers consider the energy and environmental aspects of their new home? Consider these facts: The average U.S. home spends $1,800 a year on energy. A typical house releases 22,000 pounds of carbon dioxide annually, twice as much as the average car. Buildings account for nearly 40 percent of total U.S. energy consumption and 12 percent of water use. Deregulation of Pennsylvania... 08/10/2009

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 ... 08/05/2009

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... 08/04/2009

The new federal appropriations bill will grant a 9% increase, over $300 million, to President Obama's Office of Management and Budget for 2010. These funds will be used for computer upgrades at the President's office and "pilot programs" to improve federal/state communication.   This passed bill requested more than a 7% increase overall. The biggest increases were for President Obama's office (Executive Office of the President), the District of Columbia, and the Treasury Department, including over $5.5 billion for IRS tax enforcement to combat tax evasion. This represents more than a 12% increase from 2009.    A report of all the increases can be found at http://republicans.appropriations.house.gov by clicking the "7.14.09 FY 2010 Financial Services Appropriations" sidebar. A summary of... 07/20/2009

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  Related Posts:  Which Pittsburgh South Side Homes Sold During May? Pittsburgh's South Side: Real Estate Sales Grew in April Which South Side Houses Sold During the First Quarter? South Side Real Estate Sales Were Low in January 07/15/2009

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... 07/15/2009

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 ... 07/15/2009

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 Que... 07/15/2009

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. 07/15/2009

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 ... 07/15/2009

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 t... 07/08/2009