Blog - Pittsburgh Real Estate Guy - Andrew S. MacIntyre, Realtor

Bob Vila on How to Stage a Home

Andrew S. MacIntyre, Realtor — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 13:28:30 +0000

Maximize Appeal

The exterior of the home is the first thing a potential buyer sees, so make sure to tend to landscaping needs, make small repairs, and clean dirty siding. Here are some other quick essentials for the interior:

Pack before you move. Put everything that you can do without until your move into boxes and then put the boxes in storage or somewhere completely out of sight.

Clean. Go room to room and clean every surface until it sparkles. No cutting corners! Don't forget the windows.

Create space. Arrange the furniture in each room to accentuate the space. Remove as much furniture as possible without making the room appear vacant. Make every room seem bigger than it is.

Paint. Freshen up your walls and make colorful ones neutral. Dark rooms are smaller in appearance, and off-kilter color combinations are distracting.

Eliminate odors. It's not just what is seen that matters. Unsavory smells will turn the buyer off. Clean carpets, get rid of pet and food odors, light some candles, and put out some potpourri.

Lighten up. Open blinds, pull up shades, and turn on lighting.

Read the entire article on BobVila.com

HOME FOR SALE - 3066 Marshall Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15214

Andrew S. MacIntyre, Realtor — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 01:53:44 +0000

3066 Marshall Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15214

Country cottage located in unique Acorn Hill section of Observatory Hill. Charming details throughout the house which is surrounded by perennial gardens with fish pond. Located within walking distance of Riverview Park and Allegheny Observatory.

City of Pittsburgh - Observatory Hill
3 Bed / 1 Bath
$161,900
MLS - 872237

MORE Details and Pictures: www.PittsburghRealEstateGuy.com/3066

Pittsburgh Real Estate Market Ranked 5th to Recover

Andrew S. MacIntyre, Realtor — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 02:28:33 +0000

CNNMoney.com has compiled a list of cities with real estate markets that are the most likely to recover. Pittsburgh, PA ranked 5th on the list!

Tacoma, Washington
Palm Bay, Florida
Memphis, Tennessee
Rochester, New York
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Seattle, Washington
Tucson, Arizona
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Charlotte, North Carolina
New Haven, Connecticut

With a median home price of $133,000 and a high median family income of $62,400, the Pittsburgh region offers affordable housing that should help to boost home sales over the next few years.

Review Your Credit Report Before Searching for a Home

Andrew S. MacIntyre, Realtor — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 19:26:56 +0000

It’s a good idea to review your credit report on a regular basis to make sure that it’s accurate and it’s an even better idea to review it before you inquire about a mortgage for a home purchase. Resolving any possible problems with your credit report ahead of time will save you from headaches later.

There are three credit reporting agencies:

Equifax: www.equifax.com
TransUnion: www.transunion.com
Experian: www.experian.com

You can review your credit report online through any of the websites listed above for a fee, but based on the FACT Act (Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act) that was signed in December of 2003, every consumer is obligated to a FREE copy of their credit report once every twelve months. You can receive your FREE copy at www.annualcreditreport.com.

30th Annual - 2011 Pittsburgh Home & Garden Show

Andrew S. MacIntyre, Realtor — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 15:34:39 +0000

What: 30th Annual Pittsburgh Home & Garden Show

When: March 4, 2011 to March 13, 2011

Where: The David L Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, PA

Why: 1500 Exhibits Displayed Over 9 Acres

How: Purchase Tickets Online - $10 Adults / $4 Children OR $1.50 Discount at Home Depot

QUESTION - How do I time a home purchase if I rent and can't break my lease?

Andrew S. MacIntyre, Realtor — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 04:44:32 +0000

ANSWER - Timing is everything, but sometimes, money is everything! If you are bound to a rental lease, it could cost you a penalty to cancel your lease early or you could end up having to pay both a lease payment and a mortgage payment at the same time. Don't let those possibilities get you down. Start looking for a home well before your lease is scheduled to end. There is always a chance for the following:

You purchase a home before your lease ends and the seller rents it back from you for a period of time.
You find a home for a price that is too good to refuse. Good deals are hard to find, so you better start looking early.
Interest rates are good. A change in the interest rate could make a home purchase more expensive later.
You could find your dream home!

Don't delay your home search. Starting your search early is better than missing a good opportunity.

SELLERS - No Second Chance at a First Impression

Andrew S. MacIntyre, Realtor — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 04:23:32 +0000

The sights, sounds and smells of a home have a strong impact on potential buyers. It is very important to break free from your comfort zone to prepare and arrange your home so that potential buyers can imagine themselves living there. Remove all of your truly personal possessions that brand your home as being yours and stage it in a neutral and inviting way. Also, maintaining a clean and neat home throughout your sale will gain a buyers respect and might even yield a higher selling price.

Welcome to the NEW home of the Pittsburgh Real Estate Guy

Andrew S. MacIntyre, Realtor — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 04:07:04 +0000

Hi, my name is Andrew S. MacIntyre and I'm a Realtor in Pittsburgh, PA. After 11 years in the business, www.PittsburghRealEstateGuy.com is my new home on the web. My former home on the web was located at www.MovePittsburgh.net. This is the beginning of a new chapter where I'll continue to provide Pittsburghers with valuable information and services to assist them with their real estate needs. From this day forward, I'd like you to consider me as your Pittsburgh Real Estate Guy!