Green Homes Pittsburgh

Just posted on ActiveRain: New Energy Efficient Mortgages Coming Soon from Fannie Mae and ENERGY STAR http://activerain.com/t/1479677

I got the opportunity to talk to a reporter from the Associated Press this week who was writing a story on Northeast home sales. She was interested in finding out what was going on in the Pittsburgh market and I was happy to oblige. As I told her, Pittsburgh has done very well compared to other areas of the country. One thing that seems to be driving our resilience is the low cost of living and low cost of homes.

You can read a few of the stories, that feature a quote from me , at the links below. Such Good news is a Great way to start the New Year!

Northeast home sales climb 55 percent in November

Buyers snap up homes in Nov.

Start your New Year with a New Home in the Pittsburgh area! Call Christa Ross from RE/MAX Select Realty, at 724-933-6300 x214 (office) or 724-779-1437 (direct) or visit my website at www.greenhomespgh.com.

Ready to sell your home? Be sure your agent gets your home sold and seen online. Here are a few facts to consider:

• 87% of all buyers used the Internet as part of their home search
• 94% of 25-44 years old buyers used the Internet as part of their home search
• 33% of all buyers looked on-line for property as the first step in the home buying process
• 99% of buyers found the Internet “Useful” or Very Useful”
• 98% found their agent “Useful” or “Very Useful”
• 29% found newspaper or magazine ads “Very Useful”
• 34% of buyers found the home they purchased through an agent
• 32% found the home they purchased through the Internet
• ONLY 4% visited an open house first
• ONLY 3% found the home they purchased through a newspaper or magazine ad

Ask your agent:

• What sites will my home be seen on?
• How will my home be found on those sites?
• Do you use showcase or featured property upgrades on REALTOR.com?
• What social networking channels do you use to market my home?
• Do you have your own website?
• Will my home have photos posted online? How many?
• Will my my home have a virtual tour posted online?
• Do you write blogs? Twitter? Facebook?

With so many people starting their search online you can’t afford to work with an agent that isn’t getting your home seen.

List your home in Pittsburgh with a real estate agent who knows how to get your home found online! Call Christa Ross from RE/MAX Select Realty, at 724-933-6300 x214 (office) or 724-779-1437 (direct) or visit my website at www.greenhomespgh.com.

Join me tonight at 1611 Meadville Street in Fineview for an amazing view of the city and a look at these great ENERGY STAR homes!

Fineview City View from the Overlook

Open from 5 to 7 and then you can head down to the Roberto Clemente bridge for the Light Up Night Bridge Party and fireworks at 8:30pm.

For more information go to
www.fineviewhomes.com

or Contact Christa Ross, RE/MAX Select Realty, 724-933-6300 x214 or direct at 724-309-1758.

Home Green Home Newsletter Christa Ross, RE/MAX Select Realty

I am excited to announce the launch of my newsletter, Home Green Home, News for buying, selling and living green in Pittsburgh. Check it out and if you like it be sure to subscribe by going to my website and filling out the contact form.

A new report from the EPA announced some good news but I hope that soon we will be talking about 100% of homes being built to an energy-efficient standard. In the meantime if you are buying a new home you owe it to yourself to buy the best home possible and that’s more than likely going to be one build to a higher standard.

EPA Announces Energy Star Homes Reach Nearly 17 Percent Market Share for 2008

Deal struck to extend and expand home-buyer tax credit until April 2010. Stay tuned…http://bit.ly/E4dAs

Join me from 1-3pm on Sunday, November 1st at E lane @ Carnegie to take a look at these unique, green, ENERGY STAR homes. E lane @ Carnegie incorporates today’s most advanced building techniques and technologies. The result is a home that costs only $319 a year to heat (est). Eco-friendly materials like bamboo and cork flooring, spa-like bathrooms, open floorplan, native landscaping and single floor living are just a few highlights.

E lane @ Carnegie, Green Home For Sale

Visit the future of sustainable living.

826 Washington Avenue, Carnegie, PA 15106

2 Bedroom
2 Bathroom
2 Car Garage
No Maintenance Living
Healthy Green Home
Single Floor Living
Starting at $194,900

For more information visit www.elane.biz

Christa Ross, REALTOR®
Ecosociate™ and RE/MAX Green Specialist

RE/MAX Select Realty
1667 Route 228, Cranberry Twp, PA
724-933-6300 x214 office
724-779-1437 direct

Interested, you should be, because this is one of the first homes in the Pittsburgh, PA area that is green, energy-efficient, affordable and pretty darn stylish as well. The property is called E lane @ Carnegie and it sits right off Washington Avenue in Carnegie, PA.

E lane @ Carnegie

Because of its orientation to the road it can be easy to miss, but swing up the driveway and you will see an amazing modern prairie-style home that incorporates creative ideas, sustainable materials and elegant, simple living that is good for your pocketbook, health and the environment.

The two homes at E lane (there are plans for nine total) are ENERGY STAR® qualified homes, meaning they have been tested by an independent energy auditor who has assigned a HERS Index to the home. It takes into account things like insulation, air sealing, heating, cooling and other energy usage aspects of a home. In order for a home to be called an ENERGY STAR home if must beat an 85 on the HERS Index, which relates to a saving of at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code, and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20–30% more efficient than standard homes.

Part of any Energy Rating is the report that not only shows the HERS Index score, but also specific details of the construction methods, mechanical systems, lighting, heating, cooling and appliances. A Certified Energy Auditor will test the home with high-tech tools like a blower door and duct blaster. These tools can tell how and where hot and cool air leaks in and out of a home. All this information, and existing utility bills (if any), are fed into a computer program that returns estimates of energy costs and how they can be affected by changes to a home. It also spits out the HERS Index.

Using this report it is possible to compare how one home stacks up against another. I decided to take a look at how E lane @ Carnegie would compare to a typical, older Pittsburgh home. By working with a local Energy Auditor, I was able to secure a rating on a comparable Pittsburgh home.

E lane @ Carnegie is a 1,100 square feet, single floor, 2 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom, and 2 Car Garage Home. It is built using SIP construction; foam air sealed and sits on an insulated crawl space. It is heated with a high-efficiency electric heat pump. Matter of fact, the home is all electric and qualifies for a reduced rate with Duquesne Light. E lane @ Carnegie has a HERS Index of 69.

The comparable home is a typical ranch you see in many local neighborhoods. It is 1,085 sq feet, single floor, 2 Bedroom, 1.5 Bathroom, and 1 Car Garage. It’s an older, brick home that sits on a full basement with the garage integrated. It is heated with a gas, forced air furnace that was new enough that replacement is not recommended. It achieved a HERS Index of 159.

So how did they stack up? Take a look:

E lane is the obvious winner with total energy costs of only $1,141 a year. If you look at just heating, you will see that at $319 a year, your average bill would only be $26.58 a month! The comparable homeowner will spend $4,309 a year on their energy bills, the majority to cover the $2,856 heating bill. Based on the Energy Reports, you could expect to save almost $264 a month on your utilities if you were to live here, rather than buying an older home somewhere else. It’s even more amazing when you think about how that plays out over time. In one year, you’ll save $3,168. In 10 years, you’ll save $31,680, just by making a smart home buying decision.

The story doesn’t end there, because all that energy you don’t use adds up to savings for the environment too. According to the EPA’s ENERGY STAR program an ENERGY STAR home eliminates the emissions from 0.5 vehicles, saves 3,000 lbs of coal, is equal to planting almost an acres of trees and saves the environment 5,800 pounds of CO2 per year. Those are some pretty big numbers.

Of course, there are many other benefits to buying one of these green, energy-efficient homes like comfort, a great walk-able neighborhood, creative, no-maintenance landscaping, an ADA-friendly floor plan and a layout for modern living.

You can find out more going to www.elane.biz or contact me.

Want to see E lane @ Carnegie for yourself? Call Christa Ross from RE/MAX Select Realty, your certified green agent and RE/MAX green specialist at 724-309-1758 or visit my website at

Here is your opportunity to own a great new home in a developing Pittsburgh neighborhood for an amazing price. The Nunnery Hill Overlook homes located in Fineview have a lot to offer potential buyers.

Get More For Your Money. This is your opportunity to own a great new home at a remarkable price. The Nunnery Hill Overlook homes start at an impressive price for a three bedroom, one and a half bathroom home and then get even better with a $35K URA second deferred mortgage. Qualified buyers pay no interest, make no payments and won’t payback the loan until they move. Add the 10-year Act 42 Enhanced tax abatement, which can save up to $6,587 per year then include the $8,000 first-time homebuyer credit if you close before December 1,2009 and low utility bills you won’t find a better home for less cost. How low? Your payment could be only $858 a month.

Fresh, Airy, Open Living. Wide open spaces, a raised living area and lots of windows make these homes perfect for contemporary living. A nicely sized master bedroom, upper floor laundry, two decks, one car garage and unfinished bonus room add up to over 2,000 sq feet of comfortable living. Plumbing for an additional bathroom is already in place on the ground level. Kitchen features maple cabinets, ENERGY STAR dishwasher and eat-at bar with tons of room to cook or entertain.

Million dollar views, without the million dollar price tag. Your next home is in Fineview, a distinctive Pittsburgh neighborhood nestled high above the hustle and bustle of the city but still only a 10 minute walk to downtown. These homes give you room to grow a garden, or a family, perched just above the attractions of the North Side while still remaining secluded and green. The Nunnery Hill Overlook homes are perfect if you are looking for a community with spirit, character and a spectacular view of they skyline.

A home that is as good for your wallet as it is for the planet. Quality ENERGY STAR home costs only $61 a month to heat and cool (estimated). CFL lighting, tankless water heater, ENERGY STAR dishwasher, sealed ductwork, High efficiency gas furnace and air conditioner combine to add up to big saving for both you and the environment. Buying an ENERGY STAR home saves over 3,000 lbs. of coal a year, is equal to planting almost an acre of trees and reduces CO2 emissions by 5,800 lbs. a year. Not to mention the thousands of dollars in energy costs you save by making this your next home.

View the Virtual Tour

Only 3 Homes still available. 3 Bedroom, 1.5 Bathroom, 1 Car Integral Garage.

Prices start at $180,000. More Information

Want to see the Nunnery Hill Overlook Homes? Call Christa Ross from RE/MAX Select Realty, your certified green agent and RE/MAX green specialist at 724-309-1758 or visit my website at www.greenhomespgh.com.