Casey O. Smith - Pittsburgh Real Estate

The majority of people over the age of 45 want to continue living in a familiar environment throughout their maturing years. According to AARP, older homeowners overwhelmingly prefer to age in place, which means living in their home safely, independently and comfortably, regardless of age or ability level.

The National Association of Home Builders in collaboration with AARP developed a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) program to address the needs of these consumers. These specialists are trained in:

• The unique needs of older people;
• Home modifications that can help people live independently in their homes longer;
• Common remodeling projects;
• Solutions to common barriers.

The CAPS program goes beyond design to address common remodeling projects and their costs, product ideas, and resources needed to provide aging-in-place solutions.

Read a recent article that recommends seven things that you should always keep in mind for your aging-in-place residence.

Pittsburgh was ranked #16 by the American College of Sports Medicine in their second annual American Fitness Index, a list of the fittest of America's 50 largest metro areas.

Cities were ranked by a number of individual factors and local health resources. The percentage of residents who smoke or who are overweight are factored into the index along with statistics on regular physical activity and number of servings of fruits and veggies eaten daily. These personal details are counted up alongside information on the number of parks, farmer's markets, primary healthcare providers, and crime rates of the region.

Washington, DC took the top ranking. Read the press release.

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• Pittsburgh Makes List of Best Cities for Riding Out a Recession
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If you don't love your house, then maybe it's time to sell. Here are some of the top reasons that people move on to a new home:

• Home is too small. Increased family size is the main reason home owners say they need a larger home.
• Time to upgrade. People often want what they don't have and long for a grander, more upscale home.
• Purchase mistake. Owners might believe they made a mistake when purchasing their present home.
• Commuting distance. If the drive to work exceeds an hour, some people may want to move closer to their employer.
• Personal relationships. Moving in with a partner can mean one of the parties will need to sell, and break-ups cause owners to sell as well.
• Neighborhood changes. The neighborhood might have changed for the worse, economically, socially or physically.
• Empty nest/Retirement. The older you get, the harder it is to keep a big house clean.
• See family more often. Some people want to be closer to their family and will move to be near relatives.
• Health problems. Knee or back problems make it difficult to climb stairs in a two-story, so a one-story home may be more practical.

Do any of these sound like your situation? If so, it may be time for you to leave your home behind. If you're ready to sell and find a new home that you absolutely love, give me a call.

Now that school is out, you're probably planning for a much-deserved summer vacation. But keep in mind: this is the peak season for home burglaries, with most typically happening in July and August.

According to The Money Pit home improvement website, here are just a few of the things you should do to make sure your home is safe while you're away:

• Breakers Off - To prevent electrical fires, switch off all non-essential circuit breakers in your home's electrical box.
  
• Disconnect Appliances - Unplug all appliances, large and small.
  
• Lights on Timers - In main living areas, put lights on timers to simulate occupancy.
  
• Don't Broadcast Your Absense - A burglar can easily be tipped off to your absence by an unanswered phone, so turn off the ringer.
  
• Secure Valuables - Stow important papers, jewelry, etc. in a home safe or safe deposit box.
  
• Improve Lighting - Put all outdoor lighting on timers, and add motion-sensitive lamps in dark pockets as well as natural pathways.
  
• Collect Mail - Have someone collect mail, parcels and newspapers daily.
  
• Notify Police - Inform your local police department of your plans so they can add your home to their vacation watch list.

Read the entire checklist before leaving on your next vacation.

Down from 17 homes sold in April, Upper St. Clair real estate sales dropped to 13 for the month of May:

Call me today if you are ready to buy or sell a home in Upper St. Clair, or in any of our great Pittsburgh communities.

Related Posts:

• Upper St. Clair Real Estate Sales Up a Little in April
• Upper St. Clair Home Sales Continue Slow Growth
• Upper St. Clair Real Estate Sales Improve Slighty in February
• January Sales of Upper St. Clair Homes Show a Slow Start
• Upper St. Clair Home Sales Match Previous Year's Total