Courtney Anderson's Blog Posts

Is December a Good Time to Buy a House?The Halloween to New Year’s quarter of the year is, without doubt, one of the busiest times of the year. The kids are finally back to school. There are

A Home for the HolidaysWe’ve all heard the classic real estate myth: “The market basically goes into hibernation once the holidays hit.” And sure, if we’re talking pure

Staging for Selling Your Home Over ThanksgivingIt’s that time of year again! A time for giving. A time for thanks. For giving thanks. Thanksgiving is, without doubt, the most overlooked

Things You Should Definitely Do Before You Sell Your HomeSome people think selling a home is as easy as sticking a “For Sale” sign on the front lawn. Anyone who’s ever sold their

As a Homeowner, How Much Should I Pay Attention to Trends? We’ve all heard it — keep your home up-to-date, follow the trends, stay current. But here’s the thing: your home isn

Built-In Luxury Features: Are They Worth It?Homes are no longer simply homes. They’re classrooms, personal offices, multimedia entertainment and production hubs, places of business, gyms and

Will Painting My Home Really Add Value?If you’ve lived in your home for a couple years or more, you’ve probably made a trip or two to the hardware store to compare paint swatches. While

What Are the Hidden Costs of Buying a Home?Buying a home is one of the most exciting milestones in life. It marks the beginning of a new chapter, whether it’s your first place or your forever

The Ultimate Home Staging Checklist: Make Buyers Fall in Love with Your HomeDid you know that most homebuyers form a critical first impression of a property within the first 7 to 10 seconds of

What Does It Mean to Sell a House "As-Is?"If you’ve ever looked at a real estate listing and noticed the phrase “sold as-is,” you may have wondered what exactly that means. For

Think No One’s Buying Homes Right Now? Think Again.If you’ve seen headlines saying home sales are down compared to last year, you might be thinking – is it even a good time to?&

Keep Cool Without Breaking the BankWell, it’s summer and it’s hot. Really, really hot. You guys know by now that I love summer (hello, boating season), but sometimes the heat just gets

How to Buy a House in 2025: A Step-by-Step Guide for Today's BuyersBuying a home can feel overwhelming, especially in today’s fast-changing market. But with the right guidance and updated,

Why Most Sellers Hire Real Estate Agents TodaySelling your house without an agent as a “For Sale by Owner” (FSBO) may be something you’ve considered. But you should know that, in

Sell Your Home This July 4thEvery July 4th, you’ll see sign after sign, ad after ad, promoting some of the year’s biggest sales. It might even be the biggest consumer spending window of

Location, Location, LocationYou’ve heard the old phrase, “location, location, location.” It’s everything in real estate, they say. Now, one assumes that refers to the price

Top 10 Reasons You Should Buy A HomeIf you've been thinking about buying a home in Westmoreland County, there's never been a better time to explore your options. Whether you're a first-time

10 Hiking Trails Near PittsburghThere are two types of people in this world. Number 1: you’re #SaltLife. You like nothing better than the feel of warm sand between your toes, lying on a beach

Open Houses: Yay or Nay?One of the most recognizable traditions of the real estate process, is the open house. Endlessly featured in movies and TV shows, so much so you’d be forgiven for

What Is an HOA and Do I Need One?Let’s answer the big question first. What is an HOA? An HOA, or Homeowner’s Association, is an added governmental body that levies additional housing and

5 Ways to Freshen Up Your Home This SummerAs summer approaches here in Westmoreland County, it's the perfect time to breathe new life into your home. Whether you're getting your Greensburg house

What’s Your House Worth Now? The Answer May Surprise You!Let’s talk about something you might not check nearly as often as your bank account – and that’s how much your home

What Should First Time Buyers Know?Buying a home is one of the most exciting milestones in life—but let’s be honest, it can feel a little overwhelming too. If you’re a first-time

Want to Buy a Home? Avoid These Common Credit MistakesThere is a lot of preparation and effort that goes into buying a home. From searching through various listings to saving up for a down payment

It's March Madness!It’s March Madness time! The excitement is in the air, but wait—what is March Madness, really? Well, it’s the annual NCAA Division 1 men’s basketball

Five Tips For First-time Homebuyers In The Upcoming Spring MarketThe spring real estate market can be intimidating for any buyer. This is particularly true if you have never bought a home before.

What to Do When You Inherit Real EstateWhen you buy or sell a home, you are taking part in one of the biggest financial transactions you’ll ever make. Though certainly rewarding from either

Home Maintenance Checklist: 10 Things To Do For SpringDaylight savings is just days away! That means the first day of Spring is near. Finally, we can look forward to Westmoreland County's bright

Spring Market Tips For First-Time HomebuyersSpring hasn’t sprung just yet, but it's less than a month away! If you are looking to buy a house in Westmoreland County this spring, it’s

Real Estate Fun Facts!For the past year, I’ve been sharing real estate trivia with you all, and it’s been so much fun diving into those interesting facts and figures. From quirky tidbits

Tips and Tricks For Winter HomebuyersIt’s a common belief that the spring and summer seasons are the best to purchase a home because the real estate market tends to slow down in the winter

Start Your Spring Cleaning NowJust because Monday was in the 60's, it doesn’t mean Spring flowering is on the horizon. Spring doesn’t officially commence until March 19th. The next month

How To Tackle Your Budget Goals in the New YearIf one of your New Year’s Resolutions was to get a hold of your finances, now is a good time to check-in and make sure you are on the right track

The Science of SnowflakesAs the song goes, “If you’ve got no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.” Well, unfortunately, most of us do have places to go. Namely work.

Safety Tips for Your HomeThis piece is from guest writer Nancy Mitchell, an RN and Contributing Writer for AssistedLivingCenter.com. Nancy has over 38 years of experience in geriatric nursing care.

New Year's ResolutionsDid you make New Year’s resolutions? Probably. While 50% or so of the American population makes New Year’s resolutions, only 25% of those people stick to them by

New Year, New Home: How To Make It Happen in 2025This is the time when a lot of people take a moment to reflect and set their goals for this year. And as you picture what you want your 2025 to look

How To Prepare Your Home For Holiday GuestsThe holidays are here and it's time to focus on this year’s hosting responsibilities. If you are welcoming friends and family into your home this

Scenic Winter Train RidesFor today’s topic, let’s rewind the clock back to 1802. In Shropshire, England, on the Welsh border, inventor, engineer (and wrestler interestingly enough)

What Type of Home is Right for Me?There’s a lot to consider when buying a home. You’ve probably asked yourself a million questions already. What’s in my budget? What will my annual

Holiday Recipe Ideas Your Guests Will LoveDate: December 2, 2020Being home for the holidays means enjoying quality time with friends and family, indulging in good food and drinks, and making

More Homes, Slower Price Growth – What It Means for You as a BuyerThere are more homes on the market right now than there have been in years – and that could be a game changer for you if

Shall We Talk About Brick StreetsBricks are among the oldest and most reliable building materials available today. The earliest known bricks were primarily composed of heated and meticulously-shaped

How To Prepare Your Yard For Cold WeatherIt’s getting close to the season for hanging holiday lights, stringing garland, and filling your home with your favorite seasonal decorations. Before

Did You Winterize?After Halloween, the ghouls and goblins of Fall will have retreated to the darkness, their space filled by turkeys and cornucopias. Possibly even with Christmas trees and snowmen

Is Now The Time To Replace Your Windows?You may not want to hear this, but the cold weather is coming quicker than you think! Before the cold temperatures hit, it is important to check if your

What To Expect from Mortgage Rates and Home Prices in 2025Curious about where the housing market is headed in 2025? The good news is that experts are offering some promising forecasts, especially

The Pumpkin InvasionIs there any singular item more indicative of the Fall season than a pumpkin? When it comes to Fall décor, from mid-September to late November, pumpkins reign supreme.;

It's Soup Season!If there’s one good thing about cold weather, I think we can all agree on, it’s soup! First, what is soup? Silly question, right? No. You see, like anything else,

Fall is Here!The first day of Fall, or Autumn as it’s more commonly referred to across the pond, was on Sunday, September 22nd. That means summer is officially over.  I adore summer,

Mortgage Rates Drop to Lowest Level in over a Year and a HalfMortgage rates have hit their lowest point in over a year and a half. That’s big news if you’ve been sitting on the

The Feds Lower the RatesOn Wednesday, September 18th, the Federal Reserve initiated their first cut since March of 2020, slashing rates by a half percentage point. Of course, there were critics on

The Psychology of Real Estate in FallThis year, the first day of Fall is on Sunday, September 22nd. That means we’re less than two weeks from the beginning of America’s favorite

The Surprising Amount of Home Equity You’ve Gained over the YearsThere are a number of reasons you may be thinking about selling your house. As you weigh your options, you

A Look at Traditional Homes Around the WorldThere is a lot of variety in the housing market. I’m not just talking about Western, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at some of the extremely

Things a Home Inspector Might NoticeSo, you’re in the market for a new home. Or maybe, just maybe, you’re preparing to buy your first home. Either way, you’re in for an exciting

What's the Impact of Presidential Elections on the Housing Market?It’s no surprise that the upcoming Presidential election might have you speculating about what’s ahead. And those

How To Choose a Great Local Real Estate AgentSelecting the right real estate agent can make a world of difference when buying or selling a home. But how do you find the

Get Ready for Fall!I’m about to tell you something that may shock you. Horrify you. Depress you. Have you removing clumps of your own hair like you’re weeding the garden. School is

IS WALLPAPER BACK?One trend people are continually asking about is wallpaper. Of course, for the last 20 or so years, that question has been, “Is wallpaper coming back?” It’s not a

What Every Homeowner Should Know About Their EquityCurious about selling your home? Understanding how much equity you have is the first step to unlocking what you can afford when you move. And

THE RISE OF BIRDWATCHINGUnless you suffer from an unfortunate case of Ornithophobia, or the fear of birds, you likely don’t mind the sight of your state’s native birds, fluttering about

IS YOUR HOME A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR SOLAR PANELS?If you’re thinking about going solar, you’re probably wondering: Is solar cost-effective? Is my roof suitable for solar panels? Will solar

INVESTMENT HOMES: SHOULD I BUY ONE?Let’s get the big question out of the way first: just what is an investment property? Simply put, investment properties are properties purchased or otherwise

SHOULD I BUY A NEW HOME OR RENOVATE MY CURRENT HOME?It seems we’re always discussing the benefits of buying versus renting and vice versa. Yet, we rarely discuss the conundrum that faces

WHAT KIND OF DECK OR PATIO SHOULD MY HOME HAVE?Okay people, we made it. It’s officially the first week of June, which means summer (regardless of the actual calendar date) is in full swing. If

What To Do When Your House Didn’t SellIf your listing expired and your house didn't sell, it’s totally natural to feel a mix of frustration and disappointment. And as you’re

MAKING YOUR HOME HEAT PROOFIt looks like we’re in for another scorcher of a summer. According to predictions from AccuWeather, average daytime temperatures are tracking at 2-4 degrees

SIX BENEFITS of A FRESH COAT OF PAINTSellers, are you stuck on how to update your home before listing it?   How about adding a touch of paint? We have put together a list of benefits that a

WOODLAND SAFETY SUMMER 2024Summertime is outdoor time. While most of us will probably spend that time lying on a beach with a never-ending stream of cocktails, some of us will prefer to journey into

FOUR HOME BUYING TIPS FOR A GROWING FAMILYThe prospect of buying a new home can be fun and exciting. It can also be a bit nerve-wracking, given that you want to get it just right. How do you know

SOME OF THE MOST COMMON REAL ESTATE MYTHSToday, we’re going to talk about some of the biggest myths you might have heard over the last several years. No, I’m not referring to myths like

   HOW TO UPGRADE YOUR KITCHEN WITHOUT A COMPLETE REMODELEveryone wants an upgraded kitchen, but that can cost you a lot of time and money if you are planning to do a complete.

TIPS FOR ENHANCING YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE ON A BUDGETAs the temperature heats up across Western PA, everyone is eager to spend more time outdoors- but is your outdoor space ready? Upgrading your

WHAT WILL THE MARKET LOOK LIKE SUMMER 2024?There’s been no shortage of news coverage regarding the health of the real estate market over the last two years. For a while, all eyes were focused

DAY TRIPS FROM PITTSBURGHNow that the weather is changing, you may be looking to get out of your house and explore new places. Although some travel bans are still in place due to Covid-19, you can

WHAT'S TRENDING IN LANDSCAPING SPRING 2024You know how it goes. One minute you’re griping about the seemingly-endless rainfall and the next, you’re punching your steering wheel trying

WHY SPRING IS THE BEST TIME TO BUY & THE BEST TIME TO SELLAh… Springtime. It’s a magical time, when the flowers bloom, the days grow both longer and warmer and the birds, bees,

CELEBRATE EARTH DAY THE RIGHT WAY: GO GREEN AT HOMEDid you know Earth Day is right around the corner? There are plenty of things you can do to celebrate mother earth every day, but I suggest

TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE SUNOn April 8th, 2024 a total solar eclipse will pass over the North American continent. Now, what is a total solar eclipse and why should you care? A total solar eclipse is

SHOULD WE BUY, SELL, RENT...One of my friend's favorite YouTube shows is Good Mythical Morning, starring Rhett McLaughlin and Lincoln “Link” Neal. If you’re not familiar with said

NINE MISTAKES TO AVOID WHEN YOU’RE BUILDING A NEW HOMEBuilding a home can be an incredible process that is full of choices and customization. It can result in the home of your dreams. However,

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW AS A HOME SELLER?The first thing you should know as a prospective home seller is, it’s still a great market! That’s right, for over 3 years now, sellers have been

WHAT TYPE OF FLOORING IS RIGHT FOR MY HOME?You walk on it. Your pets walk on it. Your kids throw their toys and their clothes on it. While it’s unlikely that floors will ever experience the

HOW TO PREPARE YOUR KIDS FOR A MOVEIf you’re preparing for a move, you’ve likely got a ton on your mind… selling your home, packing your belongings, saying goodbyes and getting

STEPS RENTERS SHOULD TAKE BEFORE BUYING A HOMERenting is a great option for a lot of people just starting out or for those who like maintenance-free living. But did you know that you could be saving

Date: February 12, 2024Sweaty palms… weak knees… butterflies in your stomach… all are sure signs of attraction, but could they mean that you’ve found “The One?

Whether you're looking for staging tips, or just want to create your own private oasis, I have 7 budget friendly suggestions to get your master bedroom to be a great retreat!#1: SWAP OUT PLASTIC

Does scrolling through Instagram and seeing picture perfect kitchens have you worried about how you’re going to sell your house when all the buyers out there probably want the Instagram?

Ever wonder if there is a secret sauce to selling a home quickly? Well, I'm going to give you a sneak peek of one of the most important aspects to getting your home ready for sale.Did you know

House Hunting can feel overwhelming when you look at house after house but none seem to be the right fit. One house had a kitchen that’s too small, another with a location that isn't right,