To help you make the most of the rest of your summer, I’ve compiled a list of some of the fun activities that you and your family can enjoy in the next several weeks.

Plenty to Do in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania This Summer

Here’s a sampling of some of the family-friendly activities that are going on in and around the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area this month:

Neighborhood Exhibit:  Now trough August 21, the Mattresss Factory will present Neighbourhood, an exhibit that features evetns, installations and video-based works that show differing refelections on the idea of neighborhood today.

• When: Now through August 21
• Where: Mattress Factory Museum, 500 Sampsonia Way in Pittsburgh
• Admission: Prices Vary
• More Info: Visit www.mattress.org

31st National Veterans Wheelchair Games: Come enjoy this weeklong competition from August 1 throug 6.  The Veterans Wheelchair Games is the largest annual wheelchair sporting event.

• When: August 1 through 6
• Where: David L. Lawrence Convention Center, 1000 Ft. Duquesne Blvd., in Pittsburgh
• Admission: Prices Vary
• More Info: Call 412-954-4142 or visit http://www.pittsburgh.va.gov/NVWG/index.asp

National Night Out: This nationwide, annual event encourages better communication between police officers and residents.  This event at Aspinwall Park will feature entertainment, games and more.

• When: 6 to 9 p.m. on August 2
• Where: Aspinwall Park on Field Avenue
• Admission: FREE
• More Info:  Call 412-281-1442 or visit http://www.nationalnightout.org/nno/about.html

Flood City Music Festival: Come enjoy the musical stylings of Gregg Allman, Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears and more at this annual event.

• When: August 5 to 7
• Where: Johnstown Festival Park, 90 John’s Street
• Admission: Prices Vary
• More Info: Visit http://www.jaha.org/FCMF/performers.html

Relocating to Pittsburgh, PA

Whether it’s spring, summer, fall or winter – there’s always something fun and exciting going on in the Pittsburgh, PA area!

If you’ve been thinking about relocating to the Pittsburgh, PA area, then contact me, Jim Dolanch, your Pittsburgh real estate expert, today!

I’ll answer any questions you might have as well as let you know about available listings.

I’ll also provide you with a number of helpful Pittsburgh relocation materials, including:

• Free relocation package
• About Pittsburgh
• School information
• Help me find a home
• And more!

Until next time,

Jim

If you’re planning on being in the Pittsburgh PA area in the next couple of weeks, I highly recommend you check out some of our Pittsburgh community activities going on.

These events will help you make the most of the city of Pittsburgh, as well as the rest of your summer!

Enjoy These Community Oriented Activities This July in Pittsburgh PA

One of the best things about living in a city like Pittsburgh is that there is always something going on to pique the interest of nearly every type of person.

Here’s a look at some of the fun events going on this month in Pittsburgh:

Islamic Culture Exhibit: Come explore various Islamic art forms at this art exhibit at the Michael Berger Gallery.  Featured artists specialize in blurring the themes of Western and Islamic art together.

• When: Now through July 30
• Where: Michael Berger Gallery, 30 South Sixth Street in Pittsburgh
• Admission: Prices vary
• More Info: Visit www.michaelbergergallery.com

Whitewater Challenge: Come enjoy Pittsburgh’s beautiful summer months while getting some exercise in the process at the Lehigh River with Whitewater Challengers.  Here you can choose from courses that range from easy to difficult.

• When: Now through September 4
• Where: Lehigh Gorge State Park at the river.
• Admission: Prices Vary
• More Info: Visit www.whitewaterchallengers.com.  Reservatations required.

Block Party: Come meet some of your Pittsburgh area neighbors at this outdoor block party to benefit the American Lung Association.

• When: July 18
• Where: 911 Freepoirt Road in Fox Chapel, PA
• Admission: FREE
• More Info: Call  724-933-6180

Relocating to Pittsburgh, PA

As you can see, there’s always something new and exciting going on in the Pittsburgh, PA area.

If you attend one of these events, please let me know what you thought of it!

And if you’ve been thinking lately about investing in Pittsburgh PA real estate, then contact me, Jim Dolanch.

As your Pittsburgh real estate expert, I’ll provide you with a number of invaluable Pittsburgh home buying tools, including:

• FREE Moving Kit
• FREE buying guide
• And more!

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  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.

Let me know what features you wish you could search for, or what you would improve in my Pittsburgh home search when finding your dream home for sale by leaving comments below.

Until next time,
Jim

Pittsburgh Family Community

As a family-oriented community, the Peters Township community lines up a slew of events that are enjoyable for the entire family. Whether it’s a Christmas tree lighting or visits with Santa, there are several ways that you and your family can revel in the holiday season in Pittsburgh and Peters Township.

Is Owning Your Own Pittsburgh Real Estate On Your Wish list This Year?

I don’t blame you! With its family oriented mentality, quality Pittsburgh school system and beautiful pieces of Peters Township real estate, it’s no wonder the population in the Pittsburgh, PA area has steadily risen for decades.

Learn More About The Pittsburgh Real Estate Market Today

If you’re considering buying Pittsburgh real estate or learning more about this amazing community, feel free to browse all the Pittsburgh real estate statistics I’ve collected on Peters Township homes for sale. I’d also suggest checking out all of the luxury homes for sale in Pittsburgh. And if you like what you see in Pittsburgh, check out the Peters Township area, which holds the same family-oriented  community mindset as Pittsburgh.

Enjoy the Holidays in Your New Pittsburgh Home!

There are plenty of great Pittsburgh properties available now. Contact me, Jim Dolanch, your Pittsburgh real estate expert today, to request your FREE Pittsburgh and Peters Township area Home Buying Guide. As your Peters Township Realtor, I’d be happy to answer any questions you might have on Peters Township and any of our other wonderful Pittsburgh communities, including the Mt. Lebanon and St. Clair areas.

Until next time,

Jim

Upper St. Clair, PA

The Pittsburgh real estate area is made up of not only the wonderful city of Pittsburgh, but also many smaller suburbs that offer a more rural lifestyle, such as Upper St. Clair. Located only 10 miles southwest of Pittsburgh, PA, Upper St. Clair is a 10.5 square mile, primarily residential community with amazing schools, very active community government, and a charming small town atmosphere.

Live in Upper St. Clair, Pittsburgh PA

The Upper St. Clair Township has over 500 acres of community and neighborhood parks and facilities, including:

• 14 parks
• 16 tennis courts
• a 3 hole golf course
• five baseball fields
• nine basketball courts
• five soccer fields
• a walking trail in Gilfillan Park
• various other recreational areas

Upper St. Clair School District

On May 10, 2010, the Upper St. Clair schools were given the distinguished honor of being the top rated school district in all of the Pittsburgh area. You can read more about how the Upper St. Clair School District ranked as Top in Pittsburgh Area by clicking the link. The Upper St. Clair High School had the highest-achieving 11th-graders, the Business Times analysis found, and its Fort Couch Middle School topped both the seventh- and eighth-grade lists, making Upper St. Clair one of the perfect Pittsburgh suburb choices for families.

Want to learn more? Simply contact me, your expert Upper St. Clair real estate agent.

Until next time,
Jim

If you are an avid golfer or maybe just a “hacker” like most of us, greater Pittsburgh, PA offers you challenging play at any of our Peters Township public and private golf courses. Below is a complete list of Peters Township public and private country club golf courses. Before you tee up, don’t forget to search all Pittsburgh properties for sale by taking advantage of our easy to use Washington County MLS property search. Oh by the way, hit ‘em straight and hit ‘em long!

Pittsburgh Golf Course Locations

Peters Township Private Country Club Courses

Frosty Valley Country Club
2201 Bloom Road
Danville, PA 17821-8433
Clubhouse / Reservations: (570) 275-4000
Business Office: (570) 275-4003
Pro Shop: (570) 275-4700
Website: www.frostyvalleycc.com/

Rolling Hills Country Club
455 E McMurray Road
McMurray, PA 15317
Phone: (724) 941-5520
Private country club, 18 holes
Website: www.rollinghillscountryclub.us/

Valley Brook Country Club
Hidden Valley Road
McMurray, PA 15317
Phone: (412) 563-3500
Private country club, 27 holes
Website: www.valleybrookcc.com/

Peters Township Public Golf Courses

Scenic Valley Golf Course
681 Church Hill Road
Finleyville, PA 15332
Phone: (412) 833-1988
Public course, 18 holes

Lindenwood Golf Club
360 Galley Road
McMurray, PA 15317
Phone: (724) 745-9889
Website: www.lindenwoodgolf.com/
Public course, 27 holes

Pittsburgh Real Estate

If you are passionate about playing golf in Pittsburgh and desire a lifestyle that embraces your favorite sport, why not take a look at the available Pittsburgh golf course properties for sale. One of the premier Pittsburgh area communities you must preview is the magnificent golf course homes for sale in the Rolling Hills Country Club community located off East McMurray Road. To schedule your personal tour of these Pittsburgh area luxury homes for sale along with a tour of the Rolling Hills Country Club, contact the Jim Dolanch team today. We are your Pittsburgh real estate experts!

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

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