Harmon Homes: GREATER PITTSBURGH

.com

GREATER PITTSBURGH covering Allegheny, Butler, Washington, Westmoreland and Somerset Counties May 25 - June 7, 2018 | Issue 6 Vol. 16

Text HHPITT to 40691 to view this book online!

For Advertising contact Marlene Poole, 800-344-3834 x111 • marlene.poole@harmonhomes.com

Jamie Guida, Broker

304.748.2543 www.jjguidarealty.com

@É‘Č?É•ÉœČ¨Č?ȨɄɤɕ ŃĽ 4ǸČ?Č˝Č¨Ń ČƒČ?Č˝Éœ

É&#x201E;ČšČ? $Č˝É&#x2022;ȨČ&#x2021;Č? ŃĽ <ɤÉ&#x153;Ńł

Well appointed 4 BR, 4.5 bath brick home situated in a park like setting on 2.75 acres just 30 minutes from the Pittsburgh International Airport and within minutes to state park and schooling. Amenities abound in this spacious home with approximately 5800 square ft of living space. Impressive kitchen with beautiful granite counter surfaces, double oven and JUDFLRXV OLJKW Ă&#x20AC;OOHG HDWLQJ DUHD )RUPDO GLQLQJ URRP Ă&#x20AC;UVW Ă RRU IDPLO\ room and lower level recreation room with bar and media area perfect for entertaining or family time. Spacious master BR with sitting area, bath and walk in closet as well as an en suite guest room. 3 car garage, outdoor patio leading to heated in ground pool, sophisticated wood pan

HOHG VWXG\ Ă&#x20AC;UHSODFHV DQG Ă&#x20AC;UVW Ă RRU ODXQGU\ DUH MXVW PRUH UHDVRQV IRU

\RX WR VFKHGXOH \RXU DSSRLQWPHQW WRGD\ WR VHH WKLV KRPH Ă&#x20AC;OOHG JUDQGHXU and distinction.

Text code WV3957624 to 40691 for photos!

É&#x2018;ǸȽČ&#x2021; Č˝Č&#x2021; É&#x2018;ǸČ&#x192;ȨÉ&#x201E;ɤÉ&#x2022;

É&#x201E;ČšČ? $Č˝ Č?ǸɤÉ&#x153;ȨČ&#x2DC;ɤȾ LČ?É&#x153;É&#x153;ȨȽČ?

nestled among 2.6 acres in Weirton with approximately 5000 square feet.

This classic homes offers 4 bedrooms and 4.5 baths. The expansive foyer

ZLWK VSLUDO VWDLUFDVH ZHOFRPHV \RX LQWR WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW Ă RRU FRPSOHWH ZLWK IRU

PDO GLQLQJ URRP JUDFLRXV IRUPDO OLYLQJ URRP VWXG\ ZLWK Ă&#x20AC;UHSODFH DQG family room with wet bar. Lower level recreation room features a 2nd

NLWFKHQ DQG OLYH Ă&#x20AC;UHSODFH DV ZHOO DV D ERQXV URRP SHUIHFW IRU H[HUFLVH area or 5th bedroom. Master bedroom suite with bath, dressing area and spacious walk in closet. Other features include a stately circular drive

ZD\ Ă&#x20AC;UVW Ă RRU ODXQGU\ URRP DQG VDXQD FDU JDUDJH DQG VR PXFK PRUH Text code WV3901684 4 to 40691 for photos!

2

All things for your home and more...HARMONHOMES.COM

Business (412) 664-4177 Real Estate (412) 664-1190 Fax (412) 664-1194

1812 Lincoln Way McKeesport, PA 15131

www.therealtyco.com

A Longtime Remedy For Your Insurance And Real Estate Needs

W NE

ELIZABETH TOWNSHIP $315,000 PICTURE PERFECT LOCATION! Huge entry greets you as enter this beautiful two story in BeaMar.You will love the open floor plan.Four bedrooms, 3full baths 1st floor powder room, 1st floor FR FP, wet bar, 2nd floor laundry, deck off kitchen, new w/w, freshly painted, landscaped. MLS# 1335848 Helen Stratigos (412)260–9494

G! TIN LIS

WHITE OAK $115,000 NEW LISTING WHITE OAK 3 bedroom 2 story 1 & 1/2 bath great curb appeal plus charming interior large eat in kitchen formal dining room built in corner cupboards plus additional first floor room ideal for computer or office. Kitchen access to rear deck and great yard! MLS# 1336409 Jim Peers (412)664–1190

APOLLO $58,500 NOTHING TO DO in this freshly painted newly carpeted 2 story 3 bedroom! updates include furnace electric and baths! new carpet and laminate floor coverings. off street parking in rear. Shows very well!

MLS# 1329864 Jim Peers (412)664–1190

Tips for Maintaining an Organized Living Room

by Caren Baginski 1. Welcome the Wastebasket

If trash tends to accumulate in the family room, adding a wastebasket might cut down on clutter. Few family rooms actually have a wastebasket in them; they’re not attractive and they can smell. Counteract this by choosing a can that fits your room’s decor.

If you know food will be thrown away here, get one with a lid and some deodorizing trash bags.

2. Keep Flat Surfaces Clutter-free Papers, books, brochures and magazines tend to accumulate on flat surfaces all around the house, and the family room is no different. In fact, the family room is often more cluttered because it’s a central gathering place in the house. A two drawer lateral file is an ideal recommendation - If you don’t have the floor space, a stackable file cart will do.

3. Control Out-of-Control Cords Until the world goes wireless, we’ll forever be stuck with tangled cables behind our entertainment centers. Fortunately, there are several options for taming cords in the family room. A cable caddy usually sticks onto a desktop (or behind the TV console) and has a space for several cables to clamp into. Your cords will still dangle freely, however, so a cable zipper, which encloses all the cables in a tube, might be the best bet.

All things for your home and more...HARMONHOMES.COM

4. Create a Play Zone If toys are taking over your family room, it’s time to put them in timeout. Unused corners of a family room transform into great play areas because the walls serve to block encroaching clutter.

Corners are also good areas to put a small bookcase or children’s table. Add rolling bins for toy storage so your child doesn’t have to feel confined, but is encouraged to pick up after he or she is done playing.

5. Coffee Table Functionality If you have a coffee table (or forgot you had one due to the clutter) it’s time to reassess its organizational capacity. Coffee tables that look great but don’t have any storage for magazines, remote controls or even drink coasters, are probably making life more difficult. If you don’t have the budget for a new one, consider adding low storage cubes, rolling baskets or bins to stick under the table.

8. Take Advantage of Space Behind the Sofa Organize extra blankets, pillows, candles in an accessible place - behind the sofa. It’s a great place to put a trunk, cabinet or low bookcase. Plus, it gives you another surface to put a lamp or show off some treasured objects.

3

INSTANTLY get more information!

MOBILE OR DESKTOP Simply send a TEXT

Subscribe to Digital Magazines

Find more on HarmonHomes.com

You will find text codes on many of the listings in Harmon Homes’ Magazine. Send a text message to receive a video, more photos and property information on your mobile phone. Instantly!

Our Digital Magazines are highly interactive. Click on a property to view a video, more photos and information or contact the listing agent.

Quick access to local listings and across the U.S. Large photos, digital magazines, virtual tours, home services and more!

How? • Visit eHarmonHomes.com

How? • Visit HarmonHomes.com

• Choose a state

• Search for listings

• Choose a magazine

• Search for home services

• Choose view online magazine or subscribe to publication to receive a link in your email each issue

• Find an Agent

How? • Create a new text message to “VIDEOS” (843367) • Enter the text code found on the property listing • Hit send and instantly receive more information

• Find a Rental • Credit and Mortgage

INTERACTIVE PRINT .com

brought to you by

Mobile, Online, In Print Contact a Real Estate Agent for a showing today!

4

All things for your home and more...HARMONHOMES.COM

.com Mobile, Online, In Print

Next Ad Submission Deadline for

June 8th Issue Wednesday, May 30th, 2018 Marlene Poole 330.478.3538 marlene.poole@harmonhomes.com All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise ”any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.” We will not knowingly accept any advertising which is in violation of the laws. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis. Neither advertisers nor HarmonHomes.com are responsible for any errors in the ad copy. HarmonHomes.com reserves the right to refuse any advertising which we deem unsuitable for any publication. Unless otherwise noted, all photographs, artwork and ad designs printed in HarmonHomes.com are the sole property of Harmon Media Group and may not be duplicated or reprinted without Harmon Media Group express written permission. HarmonHomes.com and Harmon Media Group are not responsible for typographical or production errors or the accuracy of information provided by advertisers.

COPYRIGHT © 2018, Harmon Media Group, All Rights Reserved.

Instantly view a video, more photos and information with your phone by using any of the Text Codes found in this publication. *Standard text messaging rates apply.

• Know when to water. Walk across the lawn in the early morning or evening hours.

If footprints remain, water is needed.

• During the summer months, lawns needs an average of 1 to 1.5 inches of moisture each week from rain or sprinklers.

• Mow lawns from 265 to 3 inches in height. Tall grass encourages deeper root growth and better drought tolerance.

• Consider mulching your grass to return nutrients to your yard.

• Keep your mower blades sharp. Dull blades will thrash, not cut grass, allowing water to escape and disease to enter.

• Water after sunset or before sunrise. Avoid watering when its windy or hot.

6

All things for your home and more...HARMONHOMES.COM

LYNN BANBURY 412.680.5000

“Berkshire Hathaway Home Services the world’s most respected brand* come together to provide unparalled real estate service.”

TEXT PA1335609 TO 40691 MORE PHOTOS

Upper St. Clair $899,000 Spectacular Brick and Stone with Magnificent View of Golf Course.

Tongue in Groove Cathedral Ceilings.

Great Room, Den, Work Shop and Much More.

MLS# 1335609 Lynn Banbury (412)680–5000

TEXT PA1295602 TO 40691 MORE PHOTOS

Dormont $175,000 Attractive 4 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage with level rear yard.

First floor family room, great location near transportation, shops and restaurants. MLS# 1295602 Lynn Banbury (412)680–5000

G IN AZ

AM

N EA AK M

Over 25 Years of Full Time Professional Service Buyer and Seller Representation email: lynnbanbury@thepreferredrealty.com

R FE OF

TEXT PA1321084 TO 40691 MORE PHOTOS

Pittsburgh / Greentree Area $399,900 Fabulous level entry brick ranch style situated on professionally landscaped lot with view from 34 ft. deck. Remodeled 24 ft kitchen, huge garage and finished lower level.

MLS# 1321084 Lynn Banbury (412)680–5000

TEXT PA1334758 TO 40691 MORE PHOTOS

Bethel Park $154,900 Attractive Level entry two bedroom, one and one half bath townhouse. Eat in kitchen, Great deck, two car garage, extra shower in equipped laundry. MLS# 1334758 Lynn Banbury (412)680–5000

EL EV E L ING N V O LI

W NE

G TIN LIS

10 Easy Home Sale Tips 1. Add power outlets with USB ports in rooms that lack them, especially in the kitchen, bathrooms, and bedrooms where they’re most needed.

2. Eliminate acoustic popcorn-style ceilings since

they look dated and tacky.

3. Use what you have, and arrange each room in a

conversational way if possible. Don’t set all furnishings in a family room so they face a TV, since most potential buyers like the idea of an open-room for socializing.

By Barbara Ballinger

6. Remove outdated wallpaper, replacing it with paint and preferably a neutral color,

7. Remove, store, or discard excessive accessories on tabletops and walls and in cabinets. Some suggest following the rule of three: Leave out only three things on any surface.

8. Pay attention to your bathrooms. Specifically,

make sure you have freshly laundered towels, new soap in soap dishes, spotless mirrors, and no mildew in view.

4.

9. Improve a home’s healthfulness by using paints

5. Change out corroded or dented door knobs and

10. Be sure your house is priced competitively with

Clean carpets and wood floors since they’re often the first part of a room that buyers check out; you don’t need to replace them unless they’re in terrible shape.

levers. The replacements don’t have to be expensive but they should look new and clean.

All things for your home and more...HARMONHOMES.COM

and adhesives with low or no VOCs. Point out these changes to prospective buyers.

the current market and homes in your area. In most regions, it’s still the No. 1 “fix” to sell quickly.

7

8

All things for your home and more...HARMONHOMES.COM

Linda Pelkofer Office: (412) 487-3200 x1215 412-219-1215 Cell: (412) 427-7403

Hampton Office

northwood.com

4100 Route 8 Allison Park, PA 15101 412-487-3200

T EA GR

TEXT PA1335410 to 40691 More Photos OHARA $224,900 SWEETEST CURB APPEAL WILL ATTRACT YOU TO THIS BRICK RANCH ON A TABLETOP HALF ACRE + LOT: INTERIOR IS WAITING FOR YOU TO ADD YOUR PERSONAL TOUCH TO THE SPACIOUS LIVINGROOM, COZY DININGROOM, EFFICIENT KITCHEN, TWO BEDROOMS, PLUS THE LOWER LEVEL GAMEROOM. ONE CAR GARAGE. LARGE SHED IN THE BACKYARD. LOT IS EXCEPTIONALLY NICE AND AFFORDS ROOM FOR ADDITIONS, GARDENS AND MORE. EQUIPPED KITCHEN AND LAUNDRY. UPDATED WINDOWS, DOORS, GUTTERS, FASCIA AND MORE. SEWER LATERAL WORK COMPLETED. ML#1335410 Linda J. Pelkofer Northwood Realty Services Hampton Office (412)487-3200 x1215

D AR KY C BA

TEXT PA1332600 to 40691 More Photos CHESWICK

$149,900 CHESWICK CLASSIC TWO STORY ONE OF THOSE CLASSIC WELL BUILT “GOOD BONES” HOMES WITH PLASTER WALLS AND MARBLE SILLS AND BRICK CONSTRUCTION ... A QUALITY HOME WITH A FLOWING FLOOR PLAN. NICE LEVEL LOT. ONE CAR ATTACHED GARAGE WITH ACCESS RIGHT INTO THE KITCHEN AREA SO EASY TRANSPORTING OF GROCERIES. ROOMY FINISHED LOWER LEVEL. SPACIOUS LIVINGROOM DIRECTLY OFF THE ENTRY. FORMAL DININGROOM. EQUIPPED KITCHEN. SOME ROOMS HAVE HARDWOOD FLOORS. THERMO TWIN WINDOWS. GOOD CLOSET SPACE. CONVENIENT LOCATION WITHIN MINUTES OF SHOPS, PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, TURNPIKE AND RT. 28. ML#1332600 Linda J. Pelkofer Northwood Realty Services Hampton Office (412)487-3200 x1215

Oh, the Possibilities! Draped Hypertufa How about a whole new look for a homemade planter?

Source: Visit www.thehypertufagarnener.com for complete article.

Try a draped hypertufa planter. These are cement pots or fabric pots made from the same mixture as we make hypertufa, but we make it with extra Portland cement.

Since it is being made from a piece of leftover fabric, and will not have 1-2 inch sides as its structure, it needs a strong mix of the Portland cement to be sure it is sturdy.

Best fabric: It seems to be a piece of OLD TOWEL OR A FLEECE BLANKET. A textured fabric is better, hence the fleece blankets, old towels, etc. It seems to me that the more absorbent the fabric is, the better results you will have. The fabric needs to absorb the cement to be successfully strong and dampening the fabric prior to placing it in the slurry seems to be the best procedure.

You can drill holes in it very easily with a drill after it is cured. Use a masonry bit.

Recipe on this one is heavy on the cement: • 1 part Portland cement (I was using a 2 qt pitcher) • 1/4 part of peat (about 1 pint) • Handful of vermiculite and mortar mix • Water, about a 2 qt pitcher added slowly Cut the draping fabric into a circle or oval, or even use it as a rectangle or square for pointy tips. To see how it might appear when finished, dampen your fabric piece and hang it from your “tower.”

All things for your home and more...HARMONHOMES.COM

Your support tower must be sturdy and allow the fabric to “drape” because it is this draping that makes the final outcome of the piece.

Be sure to cover your tower in plastic! The piece is slightly pliable when you attempt to remove it from the tower after it has cured/hardened.

Once your slurry is all mixed, and you have a consistency like meat gravy, if you have any doubt that your mix won’t be strong enough, put in a little extra Portland cement.

When you are ready, soak the dampened draping fabric in your slurry mix and roll it around until it is completely soaked with cement slurry. Wear gloves of course. I had to dip the mix up and smoosh it into the fabric on both sides, being sure to get it into folds.

Be sure to mix up enough slurry to get it all wet. Depending on the size of your fabric piece, you may need to double the recipe. If you have leftovers, have a few small cloths ready to drape over a butter dish or bowl, or just pour it into those dishes to make feet for a trough.

When you are draping it over your tower, it is easy to pull and adjust until you get the look that pleases you.

Curing the Planter I left my creation for 2 nights in a cold garage, with a large garbage bag pulled over it. After two days, I pulled the piece off the bar stool tower support. It is slightly pliable at this point, but did harden after the next step. I put it back on the bar stool and again put the garbage bag over it and left it for another 24 hours in the garage.

9

10

All things for your home and more...HARMONHOMES.COM

STRIPING PAINT TECHNIQUE Stripes are a great decorative technique for your walls.

It's a fun look that will really make a room -- and your home -- unique.

Step 1: Choose Vertical or Horizontal Stripes A subtle striping technique, with alternating flat and glossy stripes, can add perceived dimension to a room.

They are classic, elegant and never go out of style.

Horizontal stripes make a room appear more spacious; vertical stripes make the ceiling appear higher. Tone-ontone vertical striping was the technique we used in our demonstration.

Here's how we did it -- plus a few tips to make the job even easier.

Step 5: Press the Strip of Tape to the Wall Place the end dot on the tape you've already applied to the wall and press the strip to the wall.

Next, use a laser level to shoot a beam onto the second dot; pull the tape loose at that point. The beam from the level will show you exactly where to place the next strip of tape. (You can rent or buy a laser level. Just set it up in the middle of the room and you can turn it so it hits every wall as you work your way around the room.)

Tip: Remember that because you will be painting only every other stripe, you'll need to tape out the pattern so that every other stripe is outlined by the tape. Make sure to tape outside the chalk line; fresh paint will cover up the lines.

Tip: You can also make the lines with a chalk line. Use blue chalk because red or yellow is a permanent color.

Step 6: Adjust the Width Step 2: Prep Work Striping is a very simple technique. And the final effect can add to the perceived size and dimension of a room.

Just remember to measure and tape carefully (anything that's not straight will be very noticeable) and to take your time.

As with all paint projects, prep work is key. First paint a base coat on the walls; for stripes that's really important because the base coat will be one of the stripes. Use a flat paint that is exactly the same color as the stripe to be painted on. It's also important that the base coat dry for 48 hours before you start to work on the stripes.

Step 3: Measure and Mark the Walls After the base coat is completely dry, begin measuring and marking the walls for the stripes.

It's unlikely that the measurements will work out perfectly. Any small differences won't be seen, however, because you started in an obscure corner. If you want to be more exact, adjust the width of the stripes on the last wall. A 1/4" to 1/2" difference won't be visible to the eye.

Step 7: Burnish the Wall Burnish wall with burnisher (a credit card works too) to seal the tape edges so no paint seeps underneath the tape.

Step 8: Paint Over the Tape Paint over the tape line with a semigloss paint, making sure to cover the entire area of each stripe (anything missed will show up as a contrast in sheens). One coat should be enough.

Measure the wall, starting in the corner that's least seen.

Step 9: Remove the Tape Next, divide the wall. Stripes should be between 4" and 12" wide. (A width of less than 4" would be too narrow and busy; more than 12", too wide and heavy. We're doing 8" stripes.) Place the first strip of tape in that obscure corner where you began measuring.

Remove the tape once you've painted the wall, angling away from the freshly painted area as you pull

Step 4: Make a 'Tape' Measure Make a "tape legend" for easy measuring. First tear off a strip of low-tack painter's tape, 4' to 6' long. Stick it to the wall for easy handling and using a tape measure, mark it with dots corresponding to the width of the stripes you wish to paint. This will keep you from having to measure each stripe as you tape the wall.

All things for your home and more...HARMONHOMES.COM

source: http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/striping-paint-technique/index.html

11

The well-built life.

Start with a good plan. Surround yourself with good people who share your values and your vision. Customize things to let your family live the way they want, now and into the future. Take comfort in a solid foundation. And compromise nothing.

Next thing you know, the home and the life youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve built are better than you imagined. ([SORUH Ă RRUSODQV SKRWR JDOOHULHV DQG ORFDWLRQV ZLWK RXU RQOLQH :HOFRPH .LW DW 'UHDP:D\QH+RPHV FRP Pittsburgh: 866 - 883 -2852 â&#x20AC;˘ Portage: 866 - 928 - 0170