If you’re in the market for a new home and are enticed by the idea of having your very own pool, you’re not alone—about a quarter of homes listed in spring included a pool, marking an all-time high. While pools offer fun and relaxation, they also add another layer of responsibility and cost for homeowners. Here’s a comprehensive guide to what you should watch out for, how to maintain your investment, and the value a pool can add to your property.
What to Check During Your Walkthrough
Watch for Visual Issues:

Tiles & Grout: Look for loose tiles or missing grout.
Water Clarity: Green or discolored water can signal bigger issues.
Water Level: Low water might mean a leak.
Cracks: Inspect the steps, walls, or floor for cracks. Superficial hairline cracks are usually minor, but any crack wide enough to fit a penny could point to a structural problem that will require deeper repairs.

Test the Equipment:

Ask the seller to turn on th. ...

Here is a list of major housing projects in Pittsburgh and its surrounding counties, including their builders, number of units, price ranges, and locations. This focuses on the largest, most active developments as of August 2025:





Project Name
Builder
Number of Units
Price Range
Location




Crescent
Charter Homes & Neighborhoods
~800
$449,990–$699,990
Cranberry Township, Butler County


Hastings
Charter Homes & Neighborhoods
~580
$349,990–$734,990
South Fayette Township, Allegheny County


Village at Marketplace
Heartland Homes (NVR, Inc.)
442+
$366,990–$394,990
Moon Township, Allegheny County


Park Place Townhomes
Ryan Homes (NVR, Inc.)
~394
$359,990–$379,995
Cranberry Township, Butler County


Meeder
Charter Homes & Neighborhoods
360+
$389,990–$689,990
Cranberry Township, Butler County


Bakery Square (expansion)
Walnut Capital, TWG (apartments)
350–800 (phased)
Townhomes/sing5 ...

Even when the days are long and full of sunshine, nighttime can put a damper on your fun summer backyard activities. If you’re looking for ways to boost your yard’s security, ambience, and usability, you could benefit from lighting upgrades.
 Deck lighting 
No matter how high up or close to the ground your deck is, it can be dangerous to leave it unlit. Avoid tripping hazards on your deck by installing a series of LED lights by your deck stairs and around its perimeter. A typical deck light is around two inches in diameter, and it’s recommended to have two for each stair tread. Space the lights around the deck perimeter about four feet apart.
Path lighting 
Navigate and highlight your walkways with path lights. While shopping, look for stainless-steel lights for the best water resistance and overall lifespan, but avoid motion-activated lights as you want them to continuously provide a completely lit path ahead. Most people opt for sol. ...

1. New Licensing Requirements for Real-Estate Wholesalers (Act52)
Effective July 8,2024, new Act52 redefines the terms “broker” and “salesperson” under Pennsylvania law to include individuals engaging in residential real-estate wholesaling.
This means wholesalers must now hold a valid license and must disclose the nature of transactions to consumers, raising compliance stakes for investor-led deals in Pittsburgh and beyond.
2. Property Tax Assessment Next Steps: Allegheny County
Allegheny County (which includes Pittsburgh) has shifted the deadline to appeal tax assessments significantly:
For tax year 2025, appeals had to be filed between August2 and October1,2024.
Starting with tax year 2026, the window opens July 3 and closes September 1 of the preceding year, with no extension beyond those 60 days..
The Common Level Ratio (CLR) for 2025 was set at 52.7%, meaning assessed values are about half of mar. ...

Not everything lasts forever and repairs on homes can be costly! Below are some common home repairs you should start budgeting for today.
1. Roof (every 30 years): Average cost $12,000
2. Windows (every 30 to 50 years): Average $650 per window
3. Gutters (every 30 years): Average per home $1,600-$2,300
4. Central Air (15 years): Average between $3,200-$5,500
5. Hot Water Heater (13 to 14 years): Varies based on gas or electric
Need more help structuring a budget? Reach out today, and let's work together!