Monthly Archives: November 2008

Pittsburgh and Suburbs Remain Stable

It is always an encouragement to hear that our area has good housing news. The housings prices in the Pittsburgh market have not had a severe depreciation or appreciation and this has kept us stable. Brandy Fabry, President of the Greater Allegheny-Kiski Area Board of Realtors, was quoted as saying, “Generally speaking, this is one of the more stable markets in the country.”


It is a buyer’s market still, lots of inventory, great prices and the mortgage rates are still attractive. Things are a little slow for sellers and new home construction, as there is a lot of inventory but experts expect that to pick up late next year. If you are on the fence and are thinking of buying, jump off into that great house. Great opportunities are out there.

Featured Home Pittsburgh, PA

This cozy cape code offers one floor living. The full bath and a bedroom are on the main floor. You will find fresh neutral decor. The kitchen is updated beautiful wood cabinets and ceramic tile. For convenience, appliances are included. Downstairs is a finished game room with lots of space and an integral garage. There are covered porches on the back and front. Huge yard for lots of play that back up against the woods.


Contact me today for more info or to schedule a showing. Thank you!

For more photos and details click here.


Friends

I know that people are going through tough times in some way or another. But it is important to help your friends and family stay strong. Sometimes that means a word of encouragement, sometimes lending your car, sometimes cash, sometimes sharing your groceries, sometimes your time or even talents. Sometimes a prayer.

Today I would like to dedicate a post to a dear family friend that is need of a sales job in the Pittsburgh, PA Area. He a a great man. I would be grateful and so would his family, if you could take minute to view his resume and to think if you know of someone that would need his talents and expertise.

Thank you!

Tim Henley Resume.

Is this a Good Time to Buy?

That is a question that that I hear a lot in today’s market. The first things someone says when they find out that I am a Real Estate agent is; “How is the Market?” and “What are the interest rates?”


Really it is an excellent time for buyers to sweep up on properties that have lost value or foreclosures, other bargains properties, or properties that have been sitting a while.


Best of all an affiliate Mortgage company just sent me the rates for today:


30 Year Fixed – Conventional, 5.375%, O points
(Keep in mind rates are subject to change based on market conditions, credit score and LTV).

Number One Thing That Sells a Home

Out of all the training that I have had as a real estate agent, the thing that is key to learn about selling a home is that price is number one. If you do not price a home properly for the market, it will sit, and sit and sit. Today’s market is a little more of a challenge. Pittsburgh and it’s suburbs are not as hard it as other regions of the country and things are selling but there is still a lot of inventory. I am seeing houses selling and it is the one’s that are competitive or draw demand. If you have your home for sale today, and are “motivated”, price it right. If you agent is not doing that, then you agent is not necessarily doing their job. Ask for a list of recent home sales that compare to yours. Even go see the listings if you are curious.

One thing to consider is, how much it is costing me to stay where I am at, or own two houses, etc . . . Maybe if you have to take a loss on the sale, you may still come out ahead. Run the numbers, you might be surprised.

Construction of new home sales has dropped. Here is what one article said about the marketing of new homes:

“At the moment, most of that advice is being directed toward lowering prices because, in reality, it doesn’t matter how much traffic you generate if the traffic perceives the product as overpriced.” -George W. Mantor


Photo Copyright 2006, By Amy S. Myers

Pittsburgh Light up Night Coming Up

This Friday, starts off the holiday season in Pittsburgh in festival of lights. This yearly celebration event includes tree lighting, Santa Spectacular, and the PPG Place ice rink opens officially. The night ends with a fireworks finale at Point State Park – starting at 9 pm.

I have been in the Pittsburgh area for 20 years now and every year I hear of light up night. For one reason or another, I never get to make it. And yes, I am still hoping to do so. Maybe this year will be the year. It is a great time for fun with family and friends. For photographers this is a great opportunity to get the city at its brightest.

Pittsburgh Light Up Night details (Friday, November 21, 2008)

If you get to go tell me about it.

For 2009, Pittsburgh comes in as one of the Best Places to Raise Kids

For 2009, Pittsburgh comes in as one of the Best Places to Raise Kids in the state of Pennsylvania. BusinessWeek just released their second annual list of best places to raise your kids and Pittsburgh made it.

BW worked with OnBoard Informatics, a Manhattan-based provider of real estate analysis, and concluded each state’s most affordable towns when raising children. The analysis was compiled with cities containing 50,000 residents and family median income of $40K to $100K. Other factors came into play as well but affordability came in weighing strong.

Check out the article and see if you have friends and family in some of the other ranked cities.


Photo Copyright 2008, By Amy S. Myers