Pittsburgh Featured Real Estate Listings

339 Catalina Drive is a four bedroom, 2 1/2 bath 2154 sqft home located near Bethel Park and the St. Clair Country Club, with convenient access to hwy 19. It is also priced to move at $279,900, so it probably won’t be on the market for long.

What truly sets this home apart from other homes for sale in Pittsburgh are the amazing updates. The kitchen has been completely transformed into a cook’s dream, with cherry cabinetry, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, and stylish finishes.

Entertain In Your Amazing Back Yard

If you enjoy entertaining, then you will fall in love with the back deck that is perfect for grilling out for a crowd just as well as for an intimate date night. You will also enjoy the lushly landscaped patio and fire pit that leads out to a level, private wooded lot.

Request A Pittsburgh Home Tour

Would you like to come see 339 Catalina Drive in person? Simply contact me, Jim Dolanch, your expert Pittsburgh Real Estate agent, to set up a tour.

Until next time,
Jim

Let Your Trusted Pittsburgh Realtor Work For You

If there are even more specific features you are looking for-like making sure there is granite in your kitchen-you can fill out my Help Me Find A Pittsburgh Home. Filling out my useful form will let me know what you specifically want, and then I will take over all the leg work and notify you when I find your dream home.

Don’t Let a Pittsburgh Property Slip By

Property for sale in Pittsburgh often moves quickly once it hits the market, so if you want to make sure you get a first look at homes fitting your requirements , you can also fill out my Instant MLS  Email Alerts for Pittsburgh Properties.

Pittsburgh Home Buying Information

When you are ready to start browsing the Pittsburgh MLS, or want to learn more about how to buy a Pittsburgh home for sale, you can take advantage of my Pittsburgh Home Buying Guide, which will give you a great overview of what you need to do to ensure a wonderful home buying journey.

Relocate to Pittsburgh

Ready to move to our wonderful city? Pittsburgh is a great place to raise families, and you can read more about our local schools here. You can also learn about the Pittsburgh area, local parks and recreation, golf courses, shopping, communities and take advantage of our Pittsburgh Relocation Guide.

As always, I am here to serve your needs, so never hesitate to contact me whenever you have questions about Pittsburgh on anything or everything.

Until next time,
Jim

Selling Pittsburgh Real Estate

There is a top ten list that I tell all my home owners to follow, at the minimum. These quick and easy tips will help you tremendously when it comes to making your home appeal to the buyer.

1.  REMEMBER THAT FIRST IMPRESSIONS LAST. So if you have a mail box that is rusted,  crooked and falling over, even if that is the only broken thing in the house, you are already setting the buyer up to expect your house to have maintenance issues, so they will be looking with an even more critical eye. And you certainly don’t want them to refer to your home as “the one with the broken stuff” when they buyers sit down to go over their options. Lesson? Fix everything that is broken.

2. LEAVE YOUR HOME. I can never say this enough. You may feel like it is no big deal, but psychologically for the home buyer, they are much more likely to feel “at home” in your home if you ARE NOT there. By seeing you there, and having you around, the home buyers stop thinking of the home as where they will live, but instead, as where you live. And that makes them less likely discuss wall colors or new flooring, or even new curtains, because, again, they are thinking of it as your home and aren’t as comfortable to discuss the things they hate or would change. By letting them have the freedom to discuss items they dislike about the house, they will also be free to discuss how they could easily fix it-like wall color and curtains and how fun getting all the friends together to tear up carpet might be.  Again, can’t say it enough-Go away when buyers come to see your Pittsburgh home for sale.

3. GET RID OF CLUTTER. Take out extra furniture, clear off tables, keep decorations to a minimum, and clean, clean, clean. Buyers, right now, have a lot of choices, so you want them to see the full potential of your home by showing off all the space and beauty. Piles of magazines should be put away, furniture and baseboards should be dusted.

4. CLEAN THE BATHROOMS AND KITCHEN. Kitchens and bathrooms sell a home, but don’t worry if your home has small ones. Play up the space you do have by getting everything out of the bathroom, deep cleaning, and putting out nice, new towels.  In the kitchen, clear off as much counter space as possible, but your appliances you don’t use everyday away, put away papers and mail, and show off the space. New towels and a deep cleaning can do wonders to show off a space.

5. SHOW OFF STORAGE. Clean out closets, but everything that isn’t necessary away, and show off just how much space your Pittsburgh real estate for sale has. Home buyers are going to look everywhere, so make sure your closets are neat and show off space.

6.  PUT PETS AWAY. The best senerio is to take your pets with you when you leave the house, but if that isn’t an option, make sure you have them secured in crates or a storage room that is locked. You don’t want a buyer-who may scared to death of dogs or cats-to accidentally let your pet out in the middle of a home tour. Not only would that perhaps cause a huge scare for the home buyer, but if your dog or cat gets aggressive with strangers in its home, you could have an animal bite issue on your hands and we certainly don’t want that to ever happen.

7. MAKE YOUR HOME SMELL LIKE HOME. If possible, I suggest baking a pumpkin or apple pie in the oven a few hours before a home tour-you can buy ready to bake pies in the freezer section, and then you home will smell like home baked goodness as Pittsburgh home buyers tour it. Don’t have time? Sprigs of lavender, or even some lavender scented spray can spread a calm and relaxing atmosphere in your home.

8. OPEN THE WINDOWS. Letting in sunlight is a huge plus in showing off space and comfort in a home. Letting in the light makes the house feel warm and airy, and can really show off the home. A dark home is never appealing, and home buyers may not realize how great a home’s views are, or just how much light a home receives, if you have all the shades drawn.

9. PLANT FLOWERS. A well taken care of yard can add tons of appeal to a home, and leaves the home buyers with a great first and last impression. If you are selling in the winter, Pansies are great, hardy choices, and summer offers a wide range of flower colors, so choose something that compliments your home color and really pops. Bright flowers create and add to a bright, well cared for feeling of a home.

10.  DON”T BLOCK YOUR DRIVE WAY WITH STORAGE. Right now, the movable storage units are very popular when people are selling their homes, but I suggest actually renting a place away from your home, if at all possible.  Not only are they about the same price, but the movable storage pods really take way from front yard appeal and space-especially if your whole drive way is taken up with one.  It also serves as a reminder to home owners that there wasn’t space in your home for all your stuff to be neat and organized. If you have to use one, see if the company can store the movable storage for you until your home sells, most companies do for very small rental fees-and keeping your yard and drive looking neat, clean and large is well worth the rental fee.

Selling Pittsburgh Homes

These are only a few ideas, but if you would like even more tips, simply request my Pittsburgh Home Selling Guide. You can also contact me, Jim Dolanch, to learn even more about making your Pittsburgh home selling smooth and easy.

Until next time,

Jim

Already, there have been protesters from Greenpeace arrested for doing some dangerous bridge climbing in attempts to hang some protest banners. Luckily, no one got hurt and the police were able to get the protesters down from the bridges safely.

The Pittsburgh Area G20 Rally

The rally Wednesday before the start of the G20 meeting was sponsored by Alliance for Climate Protection, a group founded by former Vice President Al Gore; the United Steelworkers union; and a Steelworkers-Sierra Club coalition and brought in a very impressive crowd of people from all over who were for and against different issues the Summit meeting will be addressing.

Though the G20 Summit is mainly focused on the world economy, many environmental groups feel it is imperative that the economic plans include ways to become a more green world. It has been interesting seeing all the action so far, and I am quite proud our city of Pittsburgh is hosting all of these great people working hard to fix our world’s economic (and environmental) issues. It is quite extraordinary such an important meeting of minds is happening right in our backyard, especially since their decisions will help improve the overall economy and even ripple through the Pittsburgh real estate market.

I am sure while these great minds are in town they will enjoy some of the sites, restaurants and hospitality of the Pittsburgh area.

If you would like to learn more about moving to Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh area information, or browse the Pittsburgh MLS home search, be sure to contact me, Jim Dolanch, your expert Pittsburgh REALTOR.

Until next time,

Jim

• Gateway Clipper Fleet
• 9 Station Sq Ste Dock
  Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219
• Ticket Info: $11; $10 seniors; $7.50 children 3-12 

Pittsburgh Area

You will enjoy watching an unparalleled view of Pittsburgh while you listen to the captain point out the city sights and related interesting tales of the past and the present; a most relaxing way to spend some great family time together.

Our beautiful area of Pittsburgh offers a wealth of history and beautiful attractions. Whether you are new to the Pittsburgh community, just visiting, or have lived here all your life, a tour of the city by boat is a must do for everyone.

Pittsburgh Free MLS Listing Search

While you enjoy the boat tour, if you should decide that the city of Pittsburgh is the perfect place for your family to live, be sure to take advantage of my Pittsburgh relocation package. To start the search for your perfect Pittsburgh area home, simply contact me, Jim Dolanch, your Pittsburgh Realtor.

Until next time,

Jim

Yes, you read right; our very own Peters Township School is listed in the 2009 America’s Best High Schools, and along with earning a silver rating from the magazine, the entire Peters Township School District is in the top 3% of high schools in the nation.

Are you relocating to Peters Township? Beyond the amazing school system here, you also get the benefits of a small town lifestyle while enjoying all the big city activities and lifestyle with a short drive to the Pittsburgh Area!

Your children can enjoy the best of education in the nation, and you can enjoy affordable Peters Township real estate. Browse around our Peters Township MLS Home Searchand be sure to ask for our free Peters Township Home Buying Guide so we can help you find the Peters Township home that fits your needs.

Any other questions about Peters Township homes for sale, Peters Township lifestyle, or Peters Township award winning schools? Just as me, your local Peters Township Realtor&reg and expert; I’m here to answer any and all questions about Peters Township for you.

Until next time,
Jim

Unlike many lists that focus solely on the economy, Relocation.com took a wide-ranging look at factors that matter most to people moving, like:

*Communities with more than 1 million people: If you don’t want a place quite that large, like Pittsburgh, gain the benefits of large city living by living in one of the surrounding towns, like Peters Township.

*Economic prospects: Forbes.com’s list of the Best Places for Businesses and Careers was used to determine the cities with the greatest job growth prospects over the next three years. The list was published in March 2009

*Popular cities: Relocation.com’s moving request data was used to determine the cities that people want to move to based on the per-capita number of quotes for moving services requested to particular communities in 2008 and year to date 2009.

*Affordable housing: figures from the National Association of Home Builders Well Fargo Housing Opportunity Index were used to determine the best housing opportunities. This report looks at more than 200 of the country’s largest metropolitan areas and determines the percentage of home sold in the latest quarter that were affordable to the median average family in that area.

*High volunteerism rates: The current recession is radically changing the economic and social landscape. With fewer resources at their disposal, many people will depend more on their neighbors for their economic and social livelihoods.

Relocation. com looked at volunteerism rats from the Corporation of National Community and Service, and independent federal agency whose board of directors and CEO are appointed by the president.  Communities with high volunteerism rates tend to be stronger with lower crime rates.

Since Pittsburgh is the city I grew up in, and am now raising my family in, it really is no surprise to find that it ranks as one of the top 20 places in the US to move to. With our great Pittsburgh schools, Pittsburgh Area Events, and Great Affordable Pittsburgh Real Estate,  it is easy to see why Pittsburgh is the place to be!

If you would like a fresh start in a wonderful, family oriented city, then contact me, Jim Dolanch, to learn more about the amazing Pittsburgh Area Real Estate.

Until next time,

Jim

1. Lower County taxes in Washington County compared to the sister counties like Allegheny County. You benefit from a more affordable standard of living in Peters Township.

2. Strong planning by Peters Township civic leaders with an eye on future growth

3. Excellent Peters Township school system offering your children a superior education

4. Outstanding Peters Township cultural events and opportunities

5. One of the nations top ranked libraries with the Peters Township Library

6. Superior parks and recreation system including the rail-trial which dissects Peters Township. This walk-bike-hike friendly-trail will eventually tie into the Pittsburgh to Washington D.C. trail system!

7. Safe, secure place to raise your family. Peters Township is a wonderful place to call home

8. Ample Peters Township new home construction ranging from the high $200K to luxury homes priced over $500K

9. Peters Township is a charming town with 21,200 residents

10. Access to many outstanding Peters Township shopping venues and ample fine dining opportunities

11. Typical Peters Township residents possess average household income exceeding $110K per year

As you can see, Peters Township real estate is highly desirable conveys a unique rural charm. It’s no wonder so many families choose to relocate to Peters Township, PA!

Until next time,

Jim

1. Over pricing your home

2. Not allowing your home to be shown.

3. Not keeping your home clean and in good showing condition.

4. Not leaving your home during a showing.

5. Talking to the buyer or buyer’s agent and giving wrong information or wrong impressions.

6. Panic selling, I’ve got to sell my home now!

7. Not seeing your home through buyer’s eyes. “My home is the best in the area” syndrome.

8. Believing an open house will sell your home.

9. Demanding your realtor change how they market your home instead of relying on the realtor’s experience and expertise.

10. Choosing the wrong realtor.

Feel free to ask me all  your Pittsburgh Real Estate questions and to get advice on selling your Pittsburgh real estate quickly and for a fair value.

Until next time,

Jim