Blog Entries in November
Black Friday Shopping
Well, it’s here. Tomorrow is turkey day. Families across our great nation will gather in their masses to give their thanks and probably consume way more calories than necessary. Two seconds later, they’ll pack into a gas-guzzling SUV and head over to the local Wal-Mart where they’ll battle Grandmas in electric scooters for a half off air fryer. Over in the toy department, the twi
Thanksgiving Dinner Favorites
Why do we celebrate Thanksgiving? Is it the sentiment? Giving thanks? Is it to honor the perseverance of the human spirit? The kind that would see them traversing a vast frozen sea to shores unknown, to establish a new life unencumbered by the societal ills of their native soil? There’s probably a little bit of all that in there somewhere but come Thursday, November 23, we’ll probably
Shall We Talk About Brick Streets
A couple of nights ago, after violently tossing and turning in a heat-induced delirium on an uncharacteristically sweltering November night, I shot up from my bed like a bolt of lightning. “What happened to brick streets,” I cried to the heavens. All joking aside, hear me out. Bricks are among the oldest and most reliable building materials available today. The earliest known bricks we
A Home for the Holidays
While conventional wisdom might suggest that the holiday season is a slow time for real estate, there’s also compelling counter arguments for why it isn’t or, at the very least, why it shouldn’t be. If we break it down to purely numbers, then yes, you’re likely to see less new listings and less sales in the time period between mid-November and January. That rings true even
How To Prepare Your Home For Winter Weather
'Tis the season to be… winterizing your home. Luckily, Mother Nature has been pretty gentle on most of us so far this holiday season. So, if you haven’t prepped your home for that perpetual snowfall that she is likely to heave at us at any time now, it is time to do so before it is too late! But with all of the shopping, baking, wrapping and other festive holiday happenings tha
November Hockey Mom of the Month: Alissa Smith-Sumner
Congratulations to Alissa Smith-Sumner from New Castle, our first Hockey Mom winner for the 2022-2023 Pittsburgh Penguins hockey season! Alissa not only dedicates her time and talents to the local hockey organization, but also to her husband, Dan, and their five children. Two of her children play ice hockey for the Lawrence County Lightning organization, playing out of the Hess Ice Arena in New Ca
Unexpected Expenses After Buying Your First Home
Buying your first home is a very exciting time, but many first-time homebuyers are unaware of the added expenses come closing time. If you are planning on purchasing your first home soon, make sure you do the necessary budgeting to avoid any surprises at the closing table. Closing Costs In addition to your down payment, you will also have closing costs to factor i
How To Prepare Your Yard For Cold Weather
It’s getting close to the season for hanging holiday lights, stringing garland, and filling your home with your favorite seasonal decorations. Before you go crazy decking your home’s exterior with holiday cheer, make sure you don’t forget about a few important maintenance must-dos that will protect your lawn long past the holiday season. Get Rid of The Leaves If y
What Does Contingent Mean In Real Estate?
When a homebuyer makes a purchase offer, and the seller accepts, the home is considered under contract as long as certain “contingencies” are met that protect the buyer. These contingencies allow enough time for the buyer and their lender to get the information they need to comfortably move forward with the transaction. If the contingencies aren’t or can’t be met, the bu
Congratulations To Our November 2021 Hockey Mom
Congratulations to Christine Greene from Johnstown, our first Hockey Mom winner this year! Christine is mom to 13-year-old Ethan and 18-year-old Faith and has been married to her husband Ryan for 20 years! It was her son Ethan, from the Allegheny Badgers Bantam, A Minor Gold Team, that nominated his mom for all that she does for him, his team, and their church community.
