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Real Estate Articles and Advice (page 4)

The Colors of Autumn

The Colors of Autumn

by Chris Petry Depending on the survey, anywhere between 29 and 42% of Americans rank Fall as their favorite season. I know what you’re thinking; doesn’t this fly in the face of conventional wisdom that suggests most people are at their happiest half way through their third Mai Tai on a tropical beach in early July? I bet if you asked them by the time they finished that Mai Tai, the

The Pleasures of Reading

The Pleasures of Reading

by Chris Petry Go ahead and groan. It’s okay. I get it. Reading is not for everyone. Indeed, some people will tell you it’s a chore or worse, a punishment. My theory? They’re just not reading the right material. Don’t think I’m here to convince you that you should spend your downtime brushing up on the philosophical musings of Dostoevsky and Tolstoy or crossing off

Take a Break! It's Labor Day

Take a Break! It's Labor Day

by Chris Petry Next Monday, many businesses will remain closed for the day in observance of Labor Day. Labor Day is a federally-recognized holiday, celebrating the hard work of the nation’s citizenry. While work is nothing new, it was only after the Industrial Revolution that lawmakers, union leaders, and activists began to make headway in advancing policies that prioritized the safety of

Save Money Right Now

Save Money Right Now

by Chris Petry We’ve all had the pleasure, or should I say displeasure, of visiting the grocery store several times in the last year. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, real food prices are up nearly 10% from where they were this time last year.   The good news for homeowners is that home values are still quite high. What’s great for homeowners doesn&rs

Must See Museums in Western, PA

Must See Museums in Western, PA

by Chris Petry If there’s one thing that gets my nerdy blood pumping, it’s a good museum. Plus, there are museums specializing in virtually everything. Visit the Mutter Museum in Philadelphia and you’ll be both delighted and abhorred at the collection of antique surgical instruments and specimens, including a piece of noted Theoretical Physicist Albert Einstein’s brain.

Back to School

Back to School

by Chris Petry I spent most of the weekend tossing and turning, my inner monologue bouncing around innate topics like ping pong balls against my skull. What will be this week’s blog topic? Needless to say, when I handed in a paper using Cryptozoological creatures as metaphors for the human psychological need to pursue the unattainable, my Editor was none too pleased. Then she suggested a

To Grey or Not to Grey: What Color Should You Paint?

To Grey or Not to Grey: What Color Should You Paint?

by Chris Petry Color Theory is the science by which designers, interior decorators, and visual artists select specific colors with the intention of invoking a particular psychological response from the viewer. An innumerable number of studies, carried out by artists, marketing firms and psychologists over the years, have repeatedly demonstrated the power of color to influence everything from a

Barbenheimer: Why Do Things Go Viral?

Barbenheimer: Why Do Things Go Viral?

by Chris Petry I admit it. I fell prey to the Barbenheimer hype train. If you’re not active on one of the major social platforms (TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) or pop culture/film industry news sites (Deadline, Hollywood Reporter, Variety, Screen Rant, Collider, etc.), you may be wondering what I’m talking about right now.   This week saw the simultaneous releases of

Where Should You Live?

Where Should You Live?

by Chris Petry If you asked anyone in the 18-30 age range where they’d choose to live pre-2020, most would probably have chosen a large or medium sized city. It’s easy to see why. The convenience of city living cannot be understated. Try growing up in rural Appalachia where fast-food cheeseburgers and movie theaters can be 45 minutes to an hour in any direction. Cities are more

The Northern Lights

The Northern Lights

by Chris Petry Earlier this week as I was reviewing a list of potential topics for the day’s blog entry, my exuberant colleague bounced into the doorway of my office with an idea of her own. “Do you already have a topic lined up for this week? How about the Northern Lights? It’s trending right now.” Truth is, I was torn between discussing the benefits of sunblock and the