NEWHOME LIVING IN OUR SOUTHERN COMMUNITIES. Building on Your Own Lot What You Should Know. Mobile Phone Applications MARKS LANDING STAMBROSKY HOMES

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1 NEWHOME Summer 2018 LIVING IN OUR SOUTHERN COMMUNITIES Building on Your Own Lot What You Should Know Mobile Phone Applications MARKS LANDING STAMBROSKY HOMES

2 Luxury Home BuiLding made SimpLe Schedule Your Consultation Today! Costa Homebuilders 600 Hayden Blvd, Elizabeth, PA Call: CostaHomebuilders.com

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5 C O N T E N T S S U M M E R PUBLISHER S MESSAGE 06 LIVING IN OUR SOUTHERN COMMUNITIES Life in the South Hills, where growth has not overwhelmed the character of its communities. 18 BUILDING ON YOUR OWN LOT Finding the right builder is key to a successful buying and building experience. 28 APPLYING FOR A MORTGAGE Mobile phone mortgage apps are changing how people complete mortgage applications. 35 PROJECT PROFILE MARKS LANDING The perfect landing in Robinson Township for those seeking a conveniently located luxury home just for them! 40 BUILDER PROFILE STAMBROSKY HOMES Their standards are to not just meet, but to exceed, what is expected. 46 PITTSBURGH S HOMEBUILDERS Pittsburgh area homebuilder profiles that showcase professionalism and a history of excellence to Greater Pittsburgh s homebuilding industry. 50 REGIONAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS Greater Pittsburgh s new construction listings that can point you in the right direction when looking for new housing developments. 57 NEWHOME VOICES Giving back to our community. By Lisa Scarmazzi 3

6 PUBLISHER Kevin J. Gordon GRAPHIC DESIGN 321Blink PRODUCTION Carson Publishing, Inc. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jeff Burd Hilary Daninhirsch Keith Gillogy Linda Simon Sarah Tuthill CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Jan Pakler Stambrosky Homes Ariel Imaging, MJH Images Charter Homes & Neighborhoods Costa Homebuilders Parry Custom Homes Carson Publishing, Inc. Paragon Homes Londonbury Homes Bachman Builders, Inc. Heartland Homes Ryan Homes ADVERTISING SALES Kevin J. Gordon SPECIAL THANKS Dion McMullen from Londonbury Homes, David Bachman of Bachman Builders and Bill and Steve Fink from Paragon Homes, Rick Stambrosky and family from Stambrosky Homes, Lisa Scarmazzi at Scarmazzi Homes, Dollar Bank, Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh, Coldwell Banker Real Estate, Heartland Homes, Howard Hanna Real, Northwood Realty, and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. MORE INFORMATION Greater Pittsburgh s NEW HOME is published quarterly by Carson Publishing, Inc., 500 McKnight Park Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15237; No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission by the Publisher. All rights reserved. This information is carefully gathered and compiled in such a manner as to ensure maximum accuracy. We cannot, and do not, guarantee either the correctness of all information furnished nor the complete absence of errors and omissions. Hence, responsibility for same neither can be, nor is, assumed. PUBLISHER S MESSAGE Residential construction was off slightly in the first quarter of The total number of new units started fell more than 28 percent, mainly due to a 60.4 percent decline in the construction of multi-family units. A closer examination of the data reveals that the prevailing higher trend in housing held in the first quarter; the decline was essentially the reduction of 350 apartment units (about one new large apartment project) compared to Single-family detached home construction rose by 11.9 percent year-over-year. Given the high demand for single-family housing, growth in new construction may have been slowed by the poor construction weather in early spring. One area of surprise was the 25 percent decline in single-family attached homes. This housing category has been consistently growing because of favorable demographics for the product type, appealing to empty-nesters and first-time buyers. Here again, unfavorable weather conditions could explain the decline, which amounted to 51 units. Job creation continued at a torrid pace in May. The June 1 Census Bureau report showed U.S. employers adding 223,000 jobs in May. Wages remained higher year-over-year, with average weekly wages up 2.7% compared to May This good news helped reinforce the plans for interest rate normalization by the Federal Reserve, which announced June 13 that it was raising lending rates by.25% again and would have one or two more hikes in So far, these incremental increases in interest rates have had little or no impact on demand for loans or development. Construction of single-family homes ticked up in the first quarter, while fewer apartments were started. This issue of NEW HOME highlights living in the southern communities of Greater Pittsburgh. Some of the South Hills most popular communities have seen fewer new homes built because of a shrinking inventory of developed lots, but activity is still high! Since 2010, four of the ten most active municipalities for new construction for Greater Pittsburgh were located in the south. The South Hills are still mainly home to single-family neighborhoods. That said, like most places in our region (and the U.S. for that matter), the South Hills is suffering from a lack of inventory of new homes to meet the demands of buyers. Another editorial theme discusses building on your own lot. Looking for the right parcel of land in Southwestern Pennsylvania? That plot of land needs to be subjected to tests and checks to ensure you know what you are buying and that you will be able to build on it. From soil checks to flooding potential and more are important questions to have answered prior to building. All experts agree that finding the right builder is key to a successful buying and building experience. As always, before you buy, build or remodel, Greater Pittsburgh s NEW HOME is required reading. Enjoy! About the cover: A Stambrosky Home development in Peters Township. Photo by MJH Images. All the best, Kevin J. Gordon 4 GREATER PITTSBURGH S NEW HOME Summer 2018

7 P I T T S B U R local G H S B U I L D O N Y O U R L O T E X P E R T CRANBERRY WASHINGTON IRWIN VISIT US AT ONE OF OUR THREE SHOWROOMS BUTLER PITTSBURGH T IRWIN 22 WASHINGTON E X P E R I E N C E P A R R Y. C O M

8 Hastings, a Charter Homes development in South Fayette Township 6 GREATER PITTSBURGH S NEW HOME Summer 2018

9 One of the things long-time Pittsburgh residents like about the transformation of the region over the past decade or so is how much remains of what made Pittsburgh feel unique. To twist a phrase: the more things changed, some things remained the same. That concept aptly describes life in the South Hills, where growth has not overwhelmed the character of the communities. You re probably looking for me to say something new, but the reality is what people look for in places to live doesn t change, jokes Jeff Costa, owner of Costa Homebuilders, a Jefferson Hills builder of estate and custom homes. People want convenient locations. They want good school districts. I just looked at the list of the top school districts and eight of the top 20 districts are in the South Hills. The South Hills have changed over the past decade, however, and the transformation of Costa s own business reflects that. Originally a developer and builder of custom homes in the Jefferson Hills area, Costa has seen the availability of lots shrink and the interests of buyers shift to different tastes, and different communities. As Pittsburgh s economy moved from heavy manufacturing to energy and technology, the focus of buyers looking to live in southern parts of the metropolitan area shifted too. 7

10 S O U T H E R N C O M M U N I T I E S Heartland Homes in Upper St. Clair. The emergence of the natural gas industry created new employment centers in Washington County, changing the driving force of South Hills living from convenient Downtown commute to convenient access to lifestyle. It s even hard to pin down a definition of the South Hills today. The South Hills to me is all the way to Greene County, says Costa. There s more activity here than in other parts of the metropolitan area, suggests Matt Keith, owner of MK Homes in Washington, PA. It seems that the development continues to move further down I-79 too, closer to Washington than to Canonsburg. Unlike the suburbs east of Pittsburgh, which have seen a similar shift in economic base, the changing tides in the southern communities haven t brought a slowdown in activity. Some of the South Hills most popular communities have seen fewer new homes built because of a shrinking inventory of developed lots, but activity in the southern communities is still high. Since 2010, four of the ten most active municipalities for new construction in metropolitan Pittsburgh were located in the south. Two of them, including secondbusiest South Fayette Township, were in the top five communities for new construction. A look at the data reveals that the long-time nature of the South Hills as bedroom communities remains unchanged. Among those active municipalities, only Bethel Park, North Strabane Township and Cecil Township home to Southpointe have seen any multi-family construction. The South Hills are still mainly home to single-family neighborhoods. Sales of existing homes have also remained brisk. Like most places in the region (and the U.S. for that matter), the South Hills is suffering from a lack of inventory of homes to meet the demands of buyers. We re lacking inventory, especially in the mid-price point under $400,000, notes Darlene Hunter, vicepresident and regional manager, new construction for Howard Hanna Real Estate. We re still getting multiple offers for existing homes. We are putting together tours of homes at the high end of the price range because that part of the market is lagging. Hunter s observation about the high end of the market is not limited to the South Hills but the slowdown in sales and construction of homes priced above $750,000 is re-shaping the southern communities to a degree. Growth of employment at Southpointe helped make Peters Township the home of several neighborhoods of high-end homes, giving buyers who would have previously looked in Upper St. Clair or Mount Lebanon an alternative in the lower tax environment of Washington County. Peters Township boomed throughout the 1990s and 2000s, with both 8 GREATER PITTSBURGH S NEW HOME Summer 2018

11 S O U T H E R N C O M M U N I T I E S production-oriented builders and custom home builders finding plenty of buyers. That all changed four years ago. While the exploration of the Marcellus Shale formation did not create the high end of the market in the South Hills, the collapse of the oil price in the second half of 2014, and the subsequent layoffs that followed, depressed the number of buyers looking at the high end and put more big homes on the market. Prices for high-end homes softened. Developers of those communities, like Ted Taylor, found little serious shopping traffic. During that same time, there was a significant gain in market share by production-oriented builders in the South Hills. Companies like Dan Ryan Builders started building townhome neighborhoods in Cecil Township, Chartiers Township and South Strabane Township. Scarmazzi Homes, buoyed by years of success developing lifestyle communities for empty-nesters, expanded its reach into new municipalities in the south. And NVR Inc., with its Ryan Homes and Heartland Custom Homes brands, offered more large homes that were competing with the products the custom builders were selling. Production-oriented builders are pushing the custom builders to the higher end of the market. There is still a healthy market for neighborhoods, like Alto Piano, that are in the $600,000-to-$700,000 market, the mid-high range of the market, explains Hunter. It s still the firsttime buyer that pushes the market. They are the ones who are ideal for townhouses and smaller homes. Firsttime buyers haven t been affected at all by the rising interest rates. BRADFORD RUN BUILD NEW TO FIT YOUR BUDGET! From the $230s with $0 Down! Low Washington County Taxes 3-5 Bedrooms Attached 2-Car Garage Close to I-79 and Strabane Square Scenic Views and Much More! JOIN OUR VIP LIST TODAY! Receive priority community information and updates! or PittsburghRegionTeam@nvrinc.com 9

12 S O U T H E R N C O M M U N I T I E S Heartland Home in Upper St. Clair Stambroksy Homes Ryan Home in Chartiers Township New Neighborhoods in New Communities As the South Hills market has evolved over the last decade, the nature of the homes and the communities have changed. For one thing, as the old South Hills Whitehall, Pleasant Hills, Brentwood, etc. was built out, development had to push south into Washington County. As Washington County became home to hundreds of new companies, it has become more densely populated too, melding into the southern Allegheny County suburbs. As the turmoil brought on by the Marcellus Shale play has settled into a new normal for the area, new housing options and new neighborhoods are coming to the market. Paul Scarmazzi, owner of Scarmazzi Homes, first tested the subtle changes in the southern communities in the early 2000s by developing an empty-nester community called Arden Mills in Chartiers Township. Forming an alliance with Epcot Homes, Scarmazzi introduced efficientlydesigned, one-level attached quad homes that required no maintenance for the homeowner. The Epcot community model included a club house and amenities that gave the empty-nesters opportunities to socialize with neighbors at similar stages in life. He has seen that model evolve to single-family detached living that has the same no maintenance and lifestyle appeal. Arden Mills proved the concept of the empty-nester market and the development gave life-long South Hills residents the opportunity to exit their high-maintenance family home while remaining near the lifestyle amenities they loved. Scarmazzi expanded on the concept with additional phases of Arden Mills, plus the Mission Hills and Windsor Woods neighborhoods in Cecil Township. The builder is in planning for new communities in South Park and one in northern Washington County 10 GREATER PITTSBURGH S NEW HOME Summer 2018

13 S O U T H E R N C O M M U N I T I E S that will be adjacent to residents in Bethel Park and Upper St. Clair. We have always targeted the emptynester and we re still seeing lots of activity, Scarmazzi says. The interesting thing we re seeing is an uptick in buyers looking to upsize. We had the portico model that was selling really well at 1,760 square feet. We developed the Portico Plus, which took it to about 1,900 square feet, to meet the demand of the buyer. People are ordering bonus rooms and extra bedrooms. These are really becoming destination homes. Scarmazzi sees the depth of his segment of the market as evidence that lifelong South Hills residents want to stay in place, even as they are looking to own less house in that place. Another of the subtle changes in the South Hills market has been the influence of the expansion of the housing market on the school districts in the region. Upper St. Clair and Mount Lebanon were perennial top schools in Western PA, even rated as high as one and two in the state some years, but the growth in population and expectations of residents in the growing areas have motivated Chartiers Houston, Canon-McMillan, Peters Township School District, and South Fayette School District to up their games. The latter was rated first in the region in 2017 and Lancaster-based Charter Homes saw the combination of demographics and lifestyle as the right ingredients for its signature developments. Charter Homes is building one of its Great American Neighborhood communities, called Hastings, in South Fayette Township. The neighborhood s design blends historic architecture with the types of lifestyles that modern families need. Hastings will have a mix of housing types, from traditional single-family homes to townhomes and stacked apartments. There will even be an active senior living Heartland Homes, Overlook at Southpointe Image by Charter Homes. 11

14 S O U T H E R N C O M M U N I T I E S community adjacent to the homes that Charter is building. With some neighborhood retail/commercial space mixed into the community within a few blocks walk, Hastings is being developed to feel like a small town within a major metropolitan city. Rob Bowman, president of Charter Homes, says the response has validated the confidence Charter Homes had that a Great American Neighborhood would work in Pittsburgh. Very specific to Hastings, we re in the South Hills because of the great location and the great opportunity to develop a unique place to live, says Bowman, which is building its Hastings community at the site of the former Mayview State Prison. When we looked at Pittsburgh we found the South Hills, and South Fayette Township in particular, was where many people wanted to be. Like Scarmazzi, Bowman believes that creating a sense of place in a newer part of the South Hills helped satisfy the needs of buyers looking for new options in a location they desired. Frankly, there is a whole community of people looking for that kind of neighborhood in the part of town they want to live, he says. We ve sold over 50 homes in Hastings and the first neighbors just moved in. The Hastings neighborhood offers the types of housing options people want in the South Hills. And we re now starting to see buyers who are relocating to Pittsburgh. South Hills communities are just very convenient. They are close to the city and to I-79, with the access it provides to the rest of the region, Bowman notes. It s close to work and to places that people want to go for lifestyle amenities. It was also obvious that people were really attracted to South Fayette School District. Another interesting byproduct of the market conditions in the South Hills is the increase in new construction BeD Bath table SleepWear etc Walnut Street ShopatfeatherS.com 12 GREATER PITTSBURGH S NEW HOME Summer 2018

15 S O U T H E R N C O M M U N I T I E S of homes built on owner s lots. Washington County was home to much more vacant land until the last decade or two, and more raw land has been made available for individual ownership as farming has fallen out of favor. Combined with the slowdown in residential development, this land ownership makes Washington County home to more single-lot builds than Allegheny County. Jeff Costa observed this shift in the market as a signal to change his business model. Our product has changed. We re building more custom luxury homes that we ve taken into other areas, he says. We re building more milliondollar homes than ever before, and they are all on somebody s lot. Years ago, we built more homes but suddenly there was a lot shortage and we had to step up our game to change with the market. Costa Custom Homebuilders typically serves the buyer looking for their second or third home. That s a buyer who typically knows what they want and where they want to live, which is usually in the higher-rated school districts. Considering that some of those have become generally built-out, Costa has seen some land-acquisition strategies that have not been employed often in Pittsburgh. I m seeing people purchasing homes in Mount Lebanon and Upper St. Clair that they are tearing down to build new on the lots, Costa says. Ryan Home in North Strabane Township. Tear-down-and-builds aren t unheard of in Pittsburgh, but that strategy hasn t been commonly used in the market. The scarcity of lots in desirable communities is creating conditions that are sending land prices soaring. Costa points out that after considering the price of a lot and utilities in Mount Lebanon or Upper St. Clair, buying a BEDNER ESTATES Build a new home in Upper St. Clair at Bedner Estates, from the $470s Only 9 miles from downtown Pittsburgh and minutes from South Hills Village Mall! OVER 90% SOLD OUT! 1495 Main Street - Upper St. Clair, PA Model Hours: Tue-Fri 10-5; Sat-Mon

16 S O U T H E R N C O M M U N I T I E S $500,000 house and tearing it down may not cost much more than a raw lot. He has also seen price pressures at play in other South Hills communities. Houses in our Chamberlain Ridge development [in Jefferson Hills] used to sell for $450,000. Now they are going for $650,000, he reports. Ryan Home in Chartiers Township. Product by Costa Homebuilders. Paul Scarmazzi has also seen the growing demand and tightening supply in the South Hills pushing prices up in Washington County. In Windsor Woods, which The Meritage Group is developing for us, the first phase was selling for about $360,000. Here in the second phase we had 28 lots. That opened up in December and we have six lots left, and the average price there is about $400,000, Scarmazzi says. The resale market is pretty tight so we're not getting much push back from buyers who have a house to sell. If they have a house to sell, and they price it properly it's going to move in this environment. The observations by Costa and Scarmazzi may seem at odds with the slowdown at the higher end of the market that Hunter observes, but she has a straight-forward explanation for the phenomenon: new beats old. You have new construction competing directly against those homes that were built more than ten years ago that haven t been updated. It s hard for those older homes to compete, she notes. If you had a choice between buying something new or something older that needs to be updated, which would you choose? The New Connection The complexion of the South Hills changed dramatically when the old economy that supported steel-making gave way to a more diverse economic base in Washington County. Until the last 20 years or so, the South Hills was accurately viewed as the Allegheny County bedroom communities, with a little spill over into Peters Township. There was no economic connection between those Pittsburgh suburbs and the heart of Washington County. That all changed when Southpointe took off and the natural gas business exploded. Many of the residents of the South Hills still head to Pittsburgh every morning, but the physical and economic connections to the north and south have broadened the southern communities. Nearly 25 years later, the opening of the northern Southpointe interchange on I-79 may be the most overlooked factor in the turnaround of Pittsburgh s economy. The Southpointe exit, which opened in 1994, gave the burgeoning office and residential community a real sense of place. The exit also made for more convenient access to the north especially to the airport and Downtown for occupants and businesses located in Southpointe. When good fortune shined upon the region in the form of the Marcellus Shale play, Southpointe was waiting for explosive development. With more than 10,000 people working for companies located in Southpointe, there is an employment base that connects the South Hills to Washington County communities as much as to the Pittsburgh suburbs. The employment growth of Southpointe and the surrounding areas has, in turn, strengthened other South Hills institutions and helped smaller businesses grow. Community Bank is a great example of such a business. The small-town lender has expanded its business banking and real estate lending 14 GREATER PITTSBURGH S NEW HOME Summer 2018

17 Howard Hanna

18 S O U T H E R N C O M M U N I T I E S through acquisitions and the growth of its Washington-based customers. Late this year, Community Bank will move into a new 25,000 square foot headquarters in North Franklin Township, adjacent to the Washington Wild Things complex. That s an economic indicator that goes well beyond the jobs that may be there. Their physical expansion is a really good sign, and the fact that Community Bank is staying in Washington is a really good sign also, says Matt Keith. By early 2021, a second major interchange and connection should be open that will connect the millions of square feet of office and commercial space, and thousands of residents, along the I-79 corridor to the airport. The Southern Beltway is a limitedaccess toll road that will be open from I-376 at the Pittsburgh International Airport to an interchange on I-79 that will be between the South Fayette and Southpointe exits, right on the Washington/Allegheny county border. Because I-376 is an interstate highway that continues north into Beaver County, with an exit that literally empties out at the Shell Franklin petrochemical plant in Monaca, the Southern Beltway will open up thousands of acres of Washington County land to commercial and industrial development. This new development will be additive to the Pittsburgh regional economy, likely filling out the infrastructure for the natural gas petrochemical industry. It will also create thousands of new jobs and new homes. I think it will eventually reshape the Pittsburgh suburbs. Canonsburg and McDonald are going to continue to experience massive growth, says Keith. The Southern beltway is going to make Southpointe even more attractive as a company headquarters location due to the commute to the airport and Downtown. This is going to happen over a 20-year period. Nothing is going to happen overnight but the Southern Beltway expansion is going to be great for the area Overall, that connection will be a game changer for suburbs in the south and west, predicts Bowman. For Hastings, the Southern Beltway interchange is a mile away. That will make a great location even better. Darlene Hunter has first-hand experience with how the Southern Beltway will impact South Hills residents, although it will be opening a bit late for her family. My daughter lived five minutes away from me in South Park but they just bought a house in Windsor Woods in North Fayette, Hunter says. She works for FedEx Ground and her husband works at Robert Morris University. They moved because the commute is almost an hour each way. When that highway opens up that will be a 15-minute drive from I-79. Whether or not Hunter s daughter takes advantage of the quicker commute and returns to the South Hills in a few years remains to be seen, but the ease of commuting to the heart of the burgeoning petrochemical industry as well as to the airport will make for one more compelling Product by Costa Homebuilders 16 GREATER PITTSBURGH S NEW HOME Summer 2018

19 reason for living in the southern part of the Pittsburgh market. The Southern Beltway also provides the growing employers in the Airport Corridor with more access to workers. Like with the Hastings Great American Neighborhood or the boom in senior living in Bethel Park, the link to the Southern Beltway will give people looking to be in the South Hills another opportunity. The proximity of the Southern Beltway interchange to the South Fayette exit on I-79 should also give a major boost to a mixed-use development that has grown more slowly than expected. Newbury Market is the commercial portion of the massive $100 million Newbury community that includes more than 100 custom homes built on the ridge overlooking Chartiers Creek west of Bridgeville. The shakeup in the retail industry caused the original plans of Newbury Market to change dramatically from its inception in Adding access to the development, which is home to the iconic Top Golf facility, should be the missing ingredient to bring other specialty lifestyle and entertainment attractions to Newbury. Connections to employment, lifestyle developments and the airport, whether by way of a new Southern Beltway or I-79, are what make the southern communities more attractive. In the final analysis, the connection to the new economy is what will keep the South Hills growing and prosperous. For the foreseeable future, the natural gas industry and its downstream impact is the economic engine that is just revving up. Oil and gas is a cyclical industry, observes Keith. The gas business was really strong for a while and now it s just strong. It s going to be around Western PA for a long time and the people in the industry know that. NH PATIO HOMES Single-level living with lawn services provided! Cecil Twp / Chartiers Twp / N. Fayette Twp SCARMAZZIHOMES.COM 17

20 A DREAM HOME Finding the right Builder is key to a succesfful Experience When ancient man turned toward farming some 10,000 years ago, he began what was the rudimentary development of community life, one in which he built shelters that could be considered permanent dwellings. While great scientific debate surrounds this scenario, suffice to say that some of the ancient hunter-gathers of our species settled as our earliest farmers, which we might construe as the forerunners to property or land owners. As time progressed, the acquisition of land increasingly became a sign of wealth and status. And, after the American land rush in the 1800 s, fast forward to the twentieth century, where even popular songs extolled the virtue of land ownership - Oh, give me land, lots of land under starry skies above Let me ride through the wide country that I love, don t fence me in 18 GREATER PITTSBURGH S NEW HOME Summer 2018

21 ON YOUR OWN LOT Preparing a wood lot for a new custom home by Costa Homebuilders. 19

22 B U I L D I N G O N "While there is a wide range of skilled, reputable custom home builders, some more than others specialize in building homes for those who have their own lot." Today, the purchase and ownership of land still rings romantic for a variety of reasons, not least among them, as a place to build that coveted dream home. According to MSN.com as of 2015, the value of one acre of land in Pennsylvania averages out to approximately $31,923 and is considered the tenth most valuable in the country. But, there can be several reasons for acquiring land just as there are varied uses for it. Some individuals look for and purchase parcels of land while others may inherit land through family ties. Yet others may receive land as part of a farm subdivision among family/friends when farming no longer holds the appeal or becomes physically undesirable. Once one owns property, some may wish to build on it, keep it as an investment, or reconsider its use for say, a business/commercial start-up. But for any number of individuals, purchasing land to build a dream home can be just that -the dream of a lifetime - or a nightmare if you are unprepared for what this all means. Consider This When Buying Land for Home Building Looking for just the right parcel of land in southwestern Pennsylvania? Jeff Burd, president and owner of The Tall Timber Group, a Pittsburgh-based market research and content provider for the construction and real estate industries, shares that the process isn t much different than looking for a house. The difference comes, however, in that there is much less inventory [of land] and that a fair amount of that land is not marketed through traditional channels. The reality is that no less than 50 to 80 percent of bool or build-on-your-own-lot property is gained through insider knowledge or as family property, he said. If you are shopping for land, one of the most efficient ways to work, other than doing an on-line search, is through a realtor. He continued that, in the suburban Pittsburgh area, there is not an abundance of individual lots, particularly since land for residential use is often sold in parcels to developers. Where you may find lots, he explains, is in suburban area subdivisions where two or three lots may be available. Most importantly, Burd believes the prudent land purchaser is one who is well informed. Having an attorney at the point of purchase helps you make the right purchase so you know you are buying residential property, he said. He or she can help you with the title search, zoning regulations, whether there are easements through the property and much more. He added that some individuals may need the services of a land management engineer who can help with some of the land development issues such as storm water drainage, utilities, even grass and tree removal. Overall, you need to think through all the permutations when you have a functioning house, otherwise, if you don t have the necessary resources available, you re starting at the 10-yard line with one minute left in the game. Devon Thorsby, real estate editor for U.S. News & World Report in a February 2017 article on the Do s and Don ts of Buying Vacant Land warns that people should not skip the survey or environmental tests. She posits that a plot of land needs to be subjected to tests and checks to ensure you know what you are buying and that you ll be able to build on it. From soil checks for contamination (Was this land the site of a former gas station?) to flooding potential and more are important aspects prior to building as is having a surveyor identify property lines. LotNetwork.com also reminds potential land buyers to consider location carefully. Does it suit your needs and wants such as proximity to shopping, amenities, schools, major roadways and so much more. All sources agree that finding the right builder is key to a successful buying and building experience, or as Burd 20 GREATER PITTSBURGH S NEW HOME Summer 2018

23 Y O U R O W N L O T A private wooded home site in the Penn Trafford school district built by Parry Custom Homes. suggested, a builder who will have a relationship with others such as a land engineer. Finding the Right Builder While there is a wide range of skilled, reputable custom home builders, some more than others specialize in building homes for those who have their own lot. One such builder is Parry Custom Homes, a family owned business headquartered in North Huntingdon, and led by Justin Parry, president. For more than 25 years, Parry and family have built custom homes in southwestern Pennsylvania. Parry specializes in building on customer lots and finding available land for them as well. Prior to building, Parry advises people to find just the right location and understand the cost of developing it. Initially, I tell people to think about their main goals when it comes to location as well as location versus the total cost of that land, he said. Some of the most in-demand areas have the most expensive land so one would need to prioritize things like the importance of a school district, distance from family, work, your favorite parts of the city, and, of course, the community itself. Parry also stressed that when looking at the cost of the lot, consider the cost of its development, which means you need the right builder to help you understand the total cost of the project. Other factors he deemed vital in this process are how do you envision your home sitting on the property? Do you want a walkout basement? A kitchen opening onto a deck or concrete patio? A flat back yard?... among other such variables. If you haven t finalized a lot, it doesn t mean you can t find a builder, he continued. Find one who doesn t just build homes, but can guide you through the entire process. He also cautioned about builders who may estimate costs or allotments because it is an easy route to engage customers. We try to provide exact pricing for everything or point individuals to the right vendors to help establish exact costs, he said. We take the time to dig into the details of the design of the home and also help customers take the right steps toward making sure the costs of the home are well known. 21

24 B U I L D I N G O N We also point them in the right direction to establish a budget for developing the land. New home built in the Lawrenceville community of Pittsburgh, close to city amenities. Project by Parry Custom Homes. Thirty years ago, Paragon Homes built its first home on a customer s lot and the rest, as they say, is history. Having built homes in Robinson, Collier, Peters and Moon townships as well as in the Pittsburgh suburbs, this familyowned business specializes in building high-end, custom homes on a client s land. About 60 to 70 percent of our clients build on their own land, said Bill Fink, president of Paragon Homes. Some of these lots are land that the customer already owns or is inheriting, but most are on land that we help the customer find. And finding suitable land can prove to be a lengthy and daunting process according to Fink, but one in which Paragon has developed a process ensuring that the land purchase fits their vision of a dream home without becoming a costly waste. As for the land Paragon can offer customers, Steve Fink, who oversees marketing and customer service among other duties, explained that because of the company s longevity, they have become acquainted with those interested in selling their land, even if that land has never been listed for sale. We can help people find land through an established network of contacts. We often have a list of people who contact us wanting to sell us their land. Paragon s ultimate goal, then, is to provide an original home design with all the amenities while maintaining an optimal balance of needs along with budget for a 22 GREATER PITTSBURGH S NEW HOME Summer 2018

25 Y O U R O W N L O T distinctive home with long-term investment value. To accomplish this goal, Paragon first determines the physical parameters of a given lot such as soil condition and environmental concerns. We determine if the land can accommodate the buyer s house size related to zoning off-sets and topography, Bill Fink added. Next, we confirm the availability and affordability of utility extensions and estimate any other unique offsite costs. Fink also conveyed that Paragon offers many years of land development experience through our communities and therefore, we have an ongoing working relationship with land planning and engineers as well as many township officials and real estate attorneys. Both Finks agree that finding a competent builder with land development experience before a land purchase can save considerable time and money. We have had countless people come to us after they purchased land only to find out that utilities the seller said were available will cost tens of thousands of dollars to extend, or the lot doesn t work at all for other reasons, Steve Fink concluded. Costa Homebuilders Build On Your Lot option stems from both a practical and aesthetic philosophy. On the one hand, the thinking is that when a customer builds on his own lot, the dream home is built on the perfect piece of land, handpicked by the customer with the help of Costa home building experts. On the more practical side, we are able to do everything to help customers get through the obstacles of land and home purchasing, said Jeff Costa, owner and fourth generation at Costa Homebuilders. It s one of the premiere things we do. A testament to that claim is the fact that Costa Homebuilders do a brisk 70 percent of their custom home building on their customers lots, whether a given customer comes to them with a Costa Homebuilders project custom designed to fit this lot in Hampton Township. 23

26 B U I L D I N G O N lot or if they are asked to find one. Lots may be on the outskirts of a plan or can be miscellaneous pieces of property. But most available lots are not in a planned community, Costa explained. Additionally, Costa Homebuilders research items such as utilities and what logistics need to be addressed such as soil testing, ordering a topographic survey, examining any easements and encumbrances. Costa specialists review whether the land is truly buildable, particularly if it is raw land, land that may need cleared of any structures or impediments, or requires extensive excavation. All of this is then taken into account when a land budget is created and the customer can truly envision what the home may look like on a prepared lot. Some may call and say I just bought a piece of property for $50,000 but that cost could escalate upward to $100,000 if there are impact fees (for a given municipality), costs for tree stump removal, or other, similar preparations, Costa noted. Some lots need very little done to them, while others may need much more. But one of the first questions asked deals with location. We ask if a certain school district is an important consideration, which can narrow the lot search down tremendously, he noted. There could be 150 lots available in Westmoreland County, for example, but if a customer wants to be in the Franklin Regional School District in the Murrysville area, there are very few lots and the price is much higher than other areas of the county. A Word About Cost and Financing Finding that idyllic property and preparing to build a home long dreamt of takes meaningful thought and exploration. In addition to the cost of the land and the home, the wise consumer should account for fees, permits, surveys and any adjustments to the land. As noted in Devon Thorsby s article titled The Do s and Don ts of Buying Vacant Land, people shouldn t expect to get a loan (for a land purchase). A land purchase can t be leveraged with the bank the same way a home purchase can Jeff Burd also noted that, from a bank s perspective, there are three points of concern in recouping monies lent for land purchase: (1) How will the individual pay it back; (2) If that fails, how will the individual pay it back, and (3) Repeat number 2! While amusing, the serious 10 acre lot in Jefferson Hills designed and built by Costa Homebuiilders. 24 GREATER PITTSBURGH S NEW HOME Summer 2018

27 Y O U R O W N L O T FROM OUR FOREST Home built on hidden acreage found in North Huntington, Westmoreland County (Parry Custom Homes). intent of that quip is that banks, regardless of regulations, consider how, as a lender, they can mitigate the risk of the pay back. That can be answered fairly easily by the bank converting it (the risk) into the amount of money lent out. Raw land is an asset that s a lot less liquid but more valuable than developed land, which is considered a commercial operation and fraught with more opportunity for the risk of default. In short, if you re thinking of purchasing land, you ll need to justify how you re spending the money so, have a builder or two, or an architect, in mind. In an article titled Buying Land? Here s What You Should Know (A. Dixon, SmartAsset, January 12, 2018) advises that The kind of loan you ll need will depend on the type of land you re interested in buying. There s financing available for raw land as well as improved land that someone has already begun to develop (by installing sewage lines, for example). Raw land loans can be challenging to obtain Anyone who needs a raw land mortgage should be prepared to pay a higher interest rate as well. Jeff Costa proffers that a common tactic is to combine the land and TO YOUR FLOOR Locally Sourced Hardwood Flooring Display now available at Allegheny Millwork & Lumber in the Southside. Follow

28 B U I L D I N G O N Y O U R O W N L O T Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County home built on wooded property by Parry Custom Homes. home prices together. Banks are hesitant to do a land loan, but if you have a lot and a house, it opens up the number of banks who will work with that person, he said. We recommend banks who will do an appraisal that will work. Costa can also help the customer arrange for financing. Likewise, Paragon Homes also recommends local lenders experienced in handling these types of loans. Through their Paragon Process, a builder-led team ensures that budget and execution are of the highest priority in the planning process. Justin Parry warns that the price of the land doesn t always correlate to how much it can cost to develop that land. Find a builder who doesn t just build homes, but can guide any individuals through the whole process, he said. The builder can color your whole experience. The right builder is one you like and trust. They can help you find the right home design, talk about budget overall and discuss whether the person s goals are achievable or not based on that preliminary budget. He recommended talking with the banks that a given builder works with so there is a solid idea of what is affordable. Parry Custom Homes, too, has preferred lenders and help their customers by offering various banks to fit with an individual s needs. Just talk and get a general idea from the bank on what they can do for you and what your payment will be. This will make your time more effective with your builder when you are prioritizing what options you want and what piece of land you need. Finally, LotNetwork.com offers a piece of common sense advice that bears repeating: Work with professionals. Your brother-inlaw is a great guy, but unless he s also a buyer s real estate agent or broker with experience and expertise in representing BUYERS of residential property, don t completely trust his advice. If possible, have your builder or architect involved before committing to a lot or land. NH 26 GREATER PITTSBURGH S NEW HOME Summer 2018

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30 Mobile Phone Mortgage Apps Changing how people complete mortgage applications. Automation, interaction and future app development. 28 GREATER PITTSBURGH S NEW HOME Summer 2018

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32 M O B I L E P H O N E Even with all the excitement that surrounds buying a new home, applying for a mortgage loan can feel overwhelming and intimidating. The detail-oriented process requires submitting a significant amount of data and financial information about yourself, all to be carefully reviewed by a lending organization. Once you ve chosen a home that meets your needs, budget, and preferences, it s time to get a mortgage and begin making payments on your new home. But before you fret about obtaining a mortgage, know where you stand financially and employ the help of a familiar aid: your cell phone. Before you complete a mortgage application, having a firm grasp on your credit score, debt load, and other financial indicators will make the process easier. Applying for a mortgage does not have to be completed the old fashioned way that is, going into a bank or lending organization, sitting down with a representative, and applying in person. Mobile phone applications allow you to apply for a mortgage on your cell phone remotely, on your time, and right from home or wherever you are. By completing a portion of the process from your phone or using a computer online, lenders and banks can obtain key info needed to grant a mortgage application. An app for everything, including mortgage applications Mobile phone apps are, frankly, nothing new; we have been regular, daily users of apps for years now. But their ability to provide increased convenience and to complete processes and relay information faster, more conveniently, and on the go, makes them one of the most dynamic technologies we use today. If anything, companies, including banks, must provide engaging and multi-function apps in order to keep up with consumer demands; not having an app, especially in the presence of competitors, is akin to the early-21st-century company still lacking a website. For consumers, the necessity of an app provides benefits and increased options. Banking apps can, in some instances, provide new means of conveniently carrying out familiar processes. For example, many banks offer the ability to photograph and deposit a check through a mobile app. More remarkable, however, is the ability to carry out some seemingly complex or involved processes right through a phone app like applying for a mortgage. We feel that a lot of people use their phone for every possible transaction. We do see people using it for their mortgage applications, says Mike Henry, senior vice president of residential lending at Dollar Bank. They can be anywhere and do it. It just seemed like the market was moving that way, he says, explaining the reasoning behind launching Dollar Bank s mobile phone app and including the ability to apply for a mortgage. Using banks phone apps to apply for a mortgage is a similar process that mirrors the online mortgage application found on many banks websites. The mortgage application feature on Dollar Bank s mobile app, combined with all online applications, accounts for around 15 percent of mortgage applications at Dollar Bank, Henry says. Applying through the app is especially useful for those who already have the costs and rates in mind that they re looking for. Even those just starting it can use the app to gain more information and get a better idea of the application process and pricing available. The mobile app and online portal for completing a mortgage application allow users to apply for a loan based on their needs, whether they are purchasing a home and have a contract with a seller, seeking a prequalification, refinancing an existing balance, or refinancing a home to obtain cash. 30 GREATER PITTSBURGH S NEW HOME Summer 2018

33 Applying for a mortgage using the app intends to save time on part of the consumer and the bank s employees, too. The online application takes down a range of the applicant s information, saving the time needed to ask and record this information in person or over the phone. Using the mobile app essentially streamlines the application process while still giving customers options and background information. After users fill in their information on Dollar Bank s mortgage app and submit an application, representatives from the bank s e-lending department will get in touch with applicants in order to confirm and lock in interest rates for the loan, which will secure an interest rate if the rates should then go up, Henry says. Interest rates often fluctuate and can change between when you apply for your loan and when you close. Next, the bank can set in motion the process of obtaining an appraisal, title work for the home, and other steps. The more a borrower knows about affordability before applying for a mortgage, the easier the process will be. Many banks websites include a mortgage calculator to calculate estimated monthly mortgage payments and rate options and home affordability overall. Mortgage payments will depend on the amount of money borrowed, interest rate, property taxes, and other factors. By entering your monthly income and monthly payments, like student loans, auto insurance, etc., you will have a firmer grasp on the home you can afford and how much loan money you can borrow. Some of this information is also required and entered while filling out a mortgage application, but knowing where you stand before beginning will save time and ensure accuracy. M O R T G A G E A P P S Pre-approval and important steps in the mortgage process Applying for a mortgage through a phone app or online can give applicants an answer on the spot as to whether they are pre-approved for a mortgage. The app uses an automated underwriting system, Henry says, and performs a credit check to help determine if a loan can be preapproved. If doing a prequalification, users will, if they qualify, essentially have a letter in hand that says they are pre-approved for the loan amount requested. Realtors will always want you to be pre-approved, and this allows you to do that, Henry says. Having pre-approval can indicate a buyer who s qualified and in a better position to negotiate terms. Plus, having preapproval on a specific loan amount will let you, and a seller, know how much About 72 percent of millennials actually use their mobile devices right now for banking activities money you re qualified to borrow, so you won t waste any time looking at properties out of your price range. Achieving pre-approval status will give you a leg up. But you know best what you can really afford. Preapproval may authorize you for a loan that is permissible based on income and personal finances yet ultimately, it may still be out of reach. Yes, mortgage approval processes will account for car loans and other fixed debt expenditures. But what about your monthly grocery bill, daycare, and fuel? Some of these other expenses remain relatively fixed and won t be scrutinized during a loan review. Therefore, the amount that you re approved for does not have to become your budget automatically. Even though mobile phone apps make completing a mortgage application convenient, don t jump into the process without first checking and knowing your credit score don t be among the buyers who just assume their credit scores are high enough. Aside from a low score, several missed payments or frequent late payments could be enough to jeopardize mortgage prospects. Paying bills on time, maintaining good credit, and lowering debt will all work in your favor when it comes time for a mortgage application. While mortgage applications accessed via mobile device or computer can make the loan process faster and more convenient, standard verifications will still be in place after an applicant submits the application. So, applicants will still have to send documentation to the bank or lender for income verification, including pay stubs, W2 forms, and other documentation. Account statements for assets like stocks and securities and statements to verify checking and savings account balances are all typically sent to the bank after completing a mortgage application. Since banks and lenders will request this information, it can speed up the process to have this information ready, even before taking the first step and applying for a mortgage from your phone. Banks will often need official statements coming from your bank and may not accept printed online statements. A mortgage application, accessed via mobile device, in-person, or through any means, will inquire about debt and payments. Here, it is essential to be thorough. Filling in information on student loans, credit card payments, child support, and other debts will, of course, provide a more accurate ruling. But forgetting or neglecting to disclose debts can be especially problematic if a lender finds them during review, only diminishing approval likelihood. 31

34 M O B I L E P H O N E Being denied a mortgage loan happens. Not making it past preapproval happens. Remember, denial is a setback, not defeat. It s an indication that you will have some work to do and some patience to exercise. Instead of relying on better luck next time, work to improve your credit and finances. A lender should be able to point toward the reason behind a denied application. If you have debts, taking more time to pay them down can only boost future chances. Correcting recent changes to income, like becoming self-employed within the past couple years, might just require letting time pass and keeping income steady. Automation, interaction, and future app development While the Dollar Bank s mobile app can check credit history, it cannot yet verify employment status, Dollar Bank s Mike Henry says. Employment verification is a common feature of the mortgage application process and helps to ensure borrowers can maintain income to pay back a loan. Yet automated employment verification is a feature that, among other automated verification enhancements, Dollar Bank may be looking to incorporate into its online and app-based mortgage application, Henry says. If big regional employers subscribe to a service that releases employment data, for example, the app could then automatically check entered employment information against a database to make sure everything lines up. Such an automated process may even be able to calculate an applicant s income. While such verifications have long been standard steps in the mortgage application process, automating them further speeds up the process. Those kinds of things would save tremendous amounts of time in the process of the mortgage. Maintaining employment may not be an official requirement on a mortgage application, but leaving your job in the midst of the loan application process can be problematic. Negative changes to employment or income status during or just before beginning a mortgage application only can delay or complicate the loan approval process. While apps on their own can provide and relay information, human interaction hasn t been marginalized just yet. That said, Henry says future development of the Dollar Bank app s mortgage application may include a feature that points an applicant to a specific loan officer after he or she completes the application. By providing the name and contact info of one of the bank s loan officers, applicants will know whom exactly to get in touch with to continue the mortgage process. Automating this 32 GREATER PITTSBURGH S NEW HOME Summer 2018

35 M O R T G A G E A P P S process also saves a step and time for all parties involved. More than just millennials prefer mobile apps As more and more millennials enter the market as first-time homeowners, their influence has shifted the way that banks and companies sell and offer their services; the mobile phone app is a prime example. About 72 percent of millennials actually use their mobile devices right now for banking activities, says Lisa Clore, senior vice president and director of mortgage lending at Community Bank. A generation that has grown up with phones in their pockets is, unsurprisingly, comfortable with performing tasks on their phones that are more involved than making a phone call or sending a text message. Yet part of the appeal and specific aim of banking apps and applying for mortgages via mobile device is that the app makes the process easier. Community Bank s mortgage app follows a structure that prompts users with a series of questions that must be answered sequentially to continue (a format which some other banks apps share). Such a format is familiar to most anyone who s filled out an online form. If you don t answer the question, [the app] won t let you go any farther. So it s pretty much error free, Clore says. That said, the online portal and app used to apply for a mortgage provide sections to read more information to better familiarize applicants with the process. Filling out a mortgage app via mobile phone or online portal will still allow applicants a second shot at reviewing their information, Clore says, because, even with an interface that limits errors, we can all make silly mistakes, like errantly filling in a sale price figure with the loan amount requested. As with other banks, applicants who use the Community Bank mobile application will receive follow-up contact from a bank representative to go over their entered information. Even though millennials may be the most accustomed to using a mobile phone for near every transaction and interaction, mobile banking apps and online applications have proven popular among older age groups as well, Clore says. The majority of people don t want to come into the bank anymore to do a mortgage application. They want to do it in their home at their leisure, she says. We find that the 20-, 30-, 40-, and even 50-somethings prefer to go with the mobile application. NH 33

36 NEWHOME GREATER PITTSBURGH S NEW HOME IS THE FIRST, COMPREHENSIVE SOURCE OF MARKET INFORMATION FOR NEWCOMERS, CURRENT RESIDENTS AS WELL AS ALL PROFESSIONALS IN THE RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE BUSINESS FOR THE GREATER PITTSBURGH AREA. NEW HOME will give insight about today s marketplace, our regional economic outlook, individual and project profiles as well as in-depth feature articles on the issues and personalities driving our region s residential market. Our editorial content presents the very best our region has to offer in new housing communities, locations and developments that showcase homebuilding and remodeling projects for today s consumer. Discover state of the art features in comfort, technology, craftsmanship, innovation and style in modern residential living. Before you buy, build or remodel a home, Greater Pittsburgh s NEW HOME is required reading! Let us help you create the home that meets your personal dreams, goals and needs.

37 (L to R) Steve Fink, Dion McMullen, Dave Bachman and Bill Fink, builders in the Marks Landing development. THE PERFECT LANDING P R O J E C T P R O F I L E T he first Robinson Township development in nearly a decade to feature fully custom homes, Marks Landing is the perfect development for those seeking a conveniently located luxury home designed just for them. 35

38 P R O J E C T P R O F I L E Marks Landing, off of Silver Lane in the heart of Robinson Township, was conceived by aptly named Silver Lane Properties, a locally-owned developer specializing in new construction of custom single-family homes and developments. This is a new opportunity for people in this area looking to build upper-end custom homes, says Dion McMullen, who represents Silver Lane Properties and is president of Londonbury Homes, one of the three builders on the project along with Paragon Homes and Bachman Builders. These are three of the most reputable builders in the Pittsburgh area, with over 90 years of combined experience and dedicated to building custom residences, McMullen says. At Marks Landing, lot prices range from $120,000 to $200,000 and homes start at $550,000. The lots are large ranging from over one third of an acre up to four acres and relatively flat, with expansive back yards. A Rare Opportunity Marks Landing is a tranquil development with just 16 lots that line a private cul-de-sac where children can safely play and neighbors can socialize. Marks Landing is not one of those sprawling subdivisions with hundreds of homes, says Bill Fink, president of Paragon Homes. Each home will feature extensive tree planting to create a community where people can enjoy their privacy but also get to know their neighbors. Marks Landing makes you feel like you're in a close-knit neighborhood, says Keri Cronin who, with her husband John, was among the first to purchase a lot there. At the same time, it s close to everything we need, our families, and places of employment. Indeed, Marks Landing has an unbeatable location. In addition to being convenient to Pittsburgh International Airport, it is just minutes from both I376/US and I79/US, making it easy to get to Downtown Pittsburgh. 36 GREATER PITTSBURGH S NEW HOME Summer 2018

39 P R O J E C T P R O F I L E Dave Bachman from Bachman Builders Plus, there are a lot of other ways to get Downtown from this location, aside from the parkway, adds David Bachman, owner of Bachman Builders. That s very attractive to commuters. What s more, it s a short drive to malls such as The Point at North Fayette and The Mall at Robinson, which offer up a variety of shopping and dining options. Also important to families like the Cronins, who have two young children, is that Marks Landing is in the highperforming Montour School District. In fact, both the high school and the grade school are less than a mile away. Thus far, Marks Landing homeowners are a mix of families, including those with toddlers and with teenagers, but McMullen expects it will appeal to empty nesters and all sorts of other buyers. Robinson Township has been one of the fastest growing communities in the Pittsburgh area in the last 40 years, McMullen cites. He says Marks Landing is a good deal for local residents like the Cronins who were looking for a forever home as well as people who want to move from the city of Pittsburgh where it s difficult to find custom lots. Pittsburgh is essentially tapped out when it comes to residential lots, especially for custom builds, he explains. For those who want to build on a lot, they often have to look way up north or way down south of Pittsburgh. So, this is one of a few pockets of land where you can build yourself a custom house and be convenient to both Downtown and the airport. Built to Last What sets Marks Landing apart is not just the development s opportune location, but also that it brings together three prominent Pittsburgh builders to create a truly unique neighborhood. No two homes will be alike, Fink says, and Bachman agrees. There are 16 lots and there will be 16 truly unique homes, he adds. Unlike a production builder, we re creating a community in which each home caters only to what that client wants, 37

40 P R O J E C T P R O F I L E Dion McMullen from Londonbury Homes Bachman says of the development s three custom builders, all of which offer their clients the greatest range of design choices from start to finish. Unlike a production builder, which builds a community of homes based on a library of floor plans with limited personalization options, these three builders offer infinite choices. As custom home builders, Bachman, Londonbury and Paragon will create something completely unique to each client. Bachman explains. To us, the word unique means that clients are only paying for what they want and nothing that they don t want. All three companies are true custom builders dedicated to giving their clients the opportunity to make design choices from start to end that are tailored to them. We let the customer decide how much or how little time they want to spend designing their unique home, Fink says of Paragon s process. We can have a customer make all of their selections from all the samples in our model home, or they can go visit our many suppliers showrooms. No matter which of the three builders or what style of home a buyer chooses, Silver Lane Properties ensures Marks Landing homes will be built with materials from high-quality suppliers. What sets Marks Landing homes apart is that we use higher end products that are built for longevity and hold their value, McMullen says. These homes are built to last. Whether it's a friendly front porch, a gourmet kitchen, a master retreat or spa style baths, each Marks Landing home is created using the highest quality materials available from Anderson Windows & Doors to Versatex Trimboard. There are quality standards that we won t back down from, Bachman says. We are not interested in sinking to any lowest common denominator. For many, building a custom home is a dream come true. We got everything we wanted from the layout of our home to all the selections, Cronin says. The experience, she admits, was time consuming. There were so many choices for every stage of the building process. One of the first to move in to Marks Landing, Cronin says the work was all well worth it. I can't wait to entertain with our open floor layout and our covered back patio! I'm also looking forward to my kitchen and my walk-in-closet! In addition to their home, construction has begun on three other properties and are scheduled for move in this summer. For further information, visit markslanding.net. NH 38 GREATER PITTSBURGH S NEW HOME Summer 2018

41 P R O J E C T P R O F I L E Steve and Bill Fink from Paragon Homes Building now REALTORS 3% Co-Broke NEW 16 lot subdivision in Robinson Twp. off of Silver Lane Featuring Four Quality Custom Builders BUILT TO LAST! Bachman Builders, Inc. David and Debra Bachman Debra@bachmanbuilders.com Paragon Homes, Inc. Steve Fink Bestservice@visitparagonhomes.com Londonbury Homes, Inc. Dion McMullen Dmlondonbury@comcast.net Marks Landing Check out our new website at markslanding.net Please call any of these builders directly or Dion McMullen at Silver Lane Properties

42 The Stambrosky Family: Jeff Mach, Danielle Stambrosky Mach, Joan Stambrosky, Rick Stambrosky, and Owen and Dylan Mach. STAMBROSKY HOMES TO EXCEED WHAT IS EXPECTED B U I L D E R P R O F I L E Stambrosky Homes, a custom homebuilder and developer based in Collier Township, may be best known as the brainchild behind the prestigious Nevillewood golf community. With such an extensive project under its belt, it might be surprising to learn that Stambrosky Homes is not a large corporation but rather a small, family-owned business that prides itself on quality, hands-on customer service and attention to details. 40 GREATER PITTSBURGH S NEW HOME Summer 2018

43 B U I L D E R P R O F I L E In 1972, Rick Stambrosky joined the company started by his father in 1949, which was primarily a carpentry business in the beginning. Stambrosky visualized something more, and today, he is the face of the company, turning dreams into dream homes. Stambrosky, who is trained as a civil engineer, is equally comfortable helping clients map out their custom homes as he is driving a backhoe. He s on his hands and knees if that is what it takes to get something done in the time frame that it needs to be done, said his daughter, Danielle Stambrosky Mach, who grew up with a symphony of hammers, bulldozers, and cordless drills. Mach is a realtor with Howard Hannah Real Estate and is an integral part of her family business, working in sales and marketing. Stambrosky Homes is a small company that has done big things. Soon after Stambrosky joined the family business, he and his father developed a neighborhood in Greentree, then moved more deeply into the South Hills, including Springfield in Upper St. Clair and built homes in other developments in the area as well. In the late 1980s, Stambrosky had an idea: to develop a golf course community with the input of Jack Nicklaus. Through some serendipitous circumstances and a lot of fortitude, he was able to acquire the land that he eventually transformed into Nevillewood, a premiere development that encircles the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, one of the most highly ranked golf courses in Pennsylvania. Stambrosky was the main developer and built the majority of homes in Nevillewood. In fact, Mach said that her parents are on their fifth home in Nevillewood. Besides Nevillewood, other Stambrosky developments are Settler s Pointe in Collier Township and Anthony Farms in Peters Township, two neighborhoods in which the company is still actively building. Stambrosky is also a builder in Newbury in South Fayette Township, which features both single-family homes and townhomes, though they are no longer actively build in that development. The company also builds on individual lots within the southwest suburbs, primarily in Upper St. Clair. Mach said that they ve built over 500 homes, with the company averaging 8-15 homes per year, and that figure depends on everything from the economy to weather conditions. Stambrosky home prices range from $425,000 to two million dollars, even within the same development. The company is a four-time recipient of the Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh Housing Excellence Award! Custom Homebuilding Yes, Stambrosky Homes identifies as a luxury custom homebuilder, but that is not the full picture. I feel that the custom homebuilder term is overused, said Mach. We can still give the same attention to detail for those that want to spend in the $400- $600,000 price point; we still build with the same type of quality and care. She said that the Settler s Point development is one of those examples. It starts in the low $400s, and we don t sacrifice quality for quantity; we work with the customer to help them get Anthony Farms home in Peters Township 41

44 B U I L D E R P R O F I L E the most quality, she said, adding that they will help customers stay within their goal budget, and help them to determine whether square footage or features is more important. We give people much more flexibility than the average home building situation, Mach said, providing them with endless options and even helping them design plans, rather than requiring them to choose from a set number of floor plans or cabinetry options. To me, that is not custom. You re customizing what you want your house to be but still limited on your selection; we do not want people to have limits on their selections, she added. Thus, being true custom homebuilders, Stambrosky can build a client s dream home without adherence to a mandatory style. We re not cookiecutter. If people bring us plans and say that they like something, we will start from scratch and make it their own, said Mach. Interior or exterior, we re always doing something different for each home, for each customer. Despite doing something different, there are some trending customer preferences that the company has been seeing, such as the elimination of a dining room, opting instead for as large a kitchen that possibly makes sense, as well as customized, spa-like showers and more efficient master baths. As for floor plans, Mach said that virtually everyone likes an open concept, though that can mean different things to different people. No matter if they re building from a Stambrosky floor plan (which can nevertheless be tweaked to a customer s liking) or from a floor plan brought to them by a client, the detailing will give it away as a Stambrosky home, as they are known for their carpentry and woodwork. We do not skimp on crown moulding; the craftsmanship, the wood, and the details, that is something that people notice, said Mach. In fact, she said, some of the master carpenters that have been with the company for around 30 years can design and replicate elaborate details from a photo example. Another popular detail that the company incorporates into its homes is coffered beam ceilings in family rooms. Their standards are to not just meet, but to exceed, what is expected. For example, walls in Stambrosky Homes are a little thicker, with higher levels of insulation, which adds an element of sturdiness to the home. Another example is that they never use aluminum siding, only hearty plank siding. Using quality products is an integral part of the company credo. My dad has a hard time using less quality products just to make a sale, said Mach, adding, We want people to be happy and not be complaining within five years that things are falling apart on them. What are standard amenities for one builder are already upgraded when building with Stambrosky, including hardwood floors, ceramic flooring in the bath and laundry, full ceramic showers in the master bath, granite or quartz countertops, and stainless steel appliances. Based on the lot, they will also price in a deck or a patio. Everything really truly is included at an upgraded level; the features people want, they ll get with us, without worrying that they ll have to keep adding afterward, said Mach. Anthony Farms 42 GREATER PITTSBURGH S NEW HOME Summer 2018

45 B U I L D E R P R O F I L E Loyalty Success is a team effort; no one gets there alone. That is why Stambrosky Homes values not just quality products, but quality people. And once you re a part of the team, or, more accurately, the family, you re likely there for the long haul. It s a family owned business; it s not a corporation, emphasized Mach. When it comes to subcontractors and vendors, they generally work with the same people that they ve done business with for years, once again reflecting not only the family-oriented nature of the company but the sense of loyalty and trust that derives from a long-term working relationship. Dave Murray is the owner of Rusmur Floors and said that, for close to 40 years, his company has done all of the flooring for Stambrosky Homes. They were building nicer and nicer homes and wanted the best quality products in their homes, said Murray. Murray s wife Lauren Thomas is an interior designer and has also been helping Stambrosky clients for 20 years. Throughout that time, we ve become very good friends, said Murray. Rick is very hands-on; he is very involved personally with his business, as we are, NEWHOME DISCOVER PITTSBURGH S HOUSING MARKET! Greater Pittsburgh's NEWHOME is the first, comprehensive source of market information for newcomers, current residents as well as all professionals in the residential real estate business for the Greater Pittsburgh area. Visit greaterpittsburghnewhome.com today! 43

46 B U I L D E R P R O F I L E and he likes that. He offers a product that is fantastic, and he follows up. People want to deal with him He is incredibly talented as well as enjoyable to deal with. Thomas added, We re both familyrun companies, so there is a lot of nice similarities in that regard. In fact, reported Thomas, their son s lifelong dream was to build a Stambrosky home before Rick retired. He did it last year, and he is absolutely thrilled with the product he received, she said. His attention to detail is incredible; he can see the house before it s built, added Murray. Murray foresees the partnership between the two companies will last as long as Stambrosky continues to build homes. Long-Term Employees In addition to decades-old relationships with vendors, Stambrosky has assembled a dream team of about 20 employees, which includes a dozen carpenters, office managers, and project managers, many of whom have been with the company for years and years. One of those long-term employees is Bryan Muraco, who has been a project manager since he graduated from college 17 years ago. One of the company s biggest strengths is our people, said Muraco. Seventy-five percent of our employees have been with us for over ten years; in this business, that is a rarity. As a small company, Muraco said that his project management duties cover a lot of ground. I do everything from pricing, bidding, assisting with designs, even jumping on equipment to help build. We do everything you have to do to succeed, he said. Although Muraco is on the business side of things on a daily basis, he also knows first-hand what it s like to be on the client side, as he has built a home in the Newbury development. You get to see the other side of things. You get to see what deadlines you have to meet, in terms of decisionmaking. It opens your eyes to what our customers feel, mentally and emotionally, he said. That personal experience being on the other side of the fence is something that Muraco was able to bring back to the company, which prides itself on its stellar customer service. Customer Service Being a small, family-oriented company enables Stambrosky Homes to provide an element of customer service that doesn t always exist at some larger companies. Accessibility is a key factor in the Settler's Pointe homes in Collier Township 44 GREATER PITTSBURGH S NEW HOME Summer 2018

47 B U I L D E R P R O F I L E Anthony Farms development in Peters Township. customer service provided by Stambrosky Homes. Customers can call or text at any time, knowing that they will receive a quick response. Often, true friendships develop during the building process that does not end once the project is over. Once we build someone s house, we don t just give them an 800 number and walk away, said Mach. Regarding her parents, Mach said, Their customers have become their lifelong friends over the years; you don t hear that happening with other builders. She attributes much of this to her father, who isn t afraid to get his hands dirty and get on his hands and knees, literally, to get something done. When customers see that, it puts a different level of trust and respect in the company, she said. That customer service, in combination with the corresponding trust and respect, is what brings clients back again and again. If a customer wants to move or renovate, they almost always will contact him. In fact, said Mach, word of mouth has probably been the most successful marketing for us. So many people he s built with over the years have been repeat customers, or they send family and friends to us, she said. The company has built second, third, or even four homes for clients who have chosen the company again and again, whether they are downsizing or upsizing. Though he s only on his first Stambrosky home, Peter Cicero and his wife Greta would not hesitate to build again. Two years ago, the young couple built a 3-bedroom, 4-bathroom custom home in Settler s Pointe because they were having a hard time finding exactly what they wanted in a home, and they were not getting a good feeling from other builders. They had also looked at other, non-stambrosky developments. We didn t get the same feeling in that plan as we did in Rick s; the other was more generic, more cookie-cutter. We wanted something more ornate and with more details we wanted our own identity, and we felt that Rick got that, said Cicero. Cicero s parents had built a home with Stambrosky Homes in Nevillewood, so he had a good understanding of what a solid home looked and felt like. Some people shy away from undertaking a custom home project because of the stress associated with it, but the Ciceros enjoyed the process, as it went as smoothly as could be expected. He said that Stambrosky s reputation for quality was what brought he and his wife to the company in the beginning, but the customer service, accessibility, and communication was what kept them happy. He has an amazing team. We always felt like we knew what was going on with the house. If we made changes, the guys were extremely accommodating. I felt that very early in the process, said Cicero. We moved in the day he said we would; that was a big plus. He was 100% on schedule, he added. And that customer service doesn t stop after a client moves into the house. My father looks at every house he builds as his house, said Mach. That philosophy is what keeps clients returning again and again. In fact, after they were moved in, Cicero hired Stambrosky back to finish the basement and plans to do a covered deck project with the company. Cicero has already recommended the company to family and friends, saying, We really do believe in Rick s work. I d definitely build another house with him without any shadow of a doubt. We had that good of an experience. NH 45

48 S P O N S O R E D B Y Charter Homes & Neighborhoods 692 Country Club Drive Pittsburgh, PA T: information@charterhomes.com Since 1990, the team at Charter Homes & Neighborhoods has been reimagining the suburbs by creating the most distinctive and soughtafter places to live, offering Life A Walk Away. While each home is unique, together they create examples of The Great American Neighborhood, where people are brought together to live someplace special. As a result, Charter Homes & Neighborhoods has delivered more than 4,500 homes and earned every major industry award, including the 2014 Gold National Housing Quality Award and the Best Neighborhood in the Country award. The company currently has 20 neighborhoods open across Pennsylvania. NEWHOME 2018 PITTSBURGH HOMEBUILDERS How can you make your dream of owning a new home a realty? The following list of professional builders offer the newest technologies, amenities and creative home designs to help you create that pefect home. Charter Homes Costa Homebuilders Graziani Homes Heartland Homes Infinity Custom Homes KACIN Londonbury Homes Paragon Homes Parry Custom Homes Pellis Construction Company Pitell Homes PWCampbell Ryan Homes Scalise Homes Scarmazzi Homes R. A. Snoznik Construction Stambrosky Homes Suncrest Homes Traditions of America Weaver Homes Costa Homebuilders 600 Hayden Boulevard (Rt. 51) Jeff Costa Tony Ferrare Costa Homebuilders Build On Your Lot approach begins with a personal build-on-your-lot specialist who will assist you in locating a lot to build on. If you already own a lot, Costa will work with you to develop the best plan possible in building your luxury custom home. Costa s New Life Custom Home Building Process will reduce the stress in home building and help you save time and money. 46 GREATER PITTSBURGH S NEW HOME Summer 2018

49 P I T T S B U R G H H O M E B U I L D E R S Graziani Homes 1028 Oak Ridge Rd., Canonsburg PA T: Bill Graziani wgraz@comcast.net Founded in 1990, Graziani Homes is a true custom home builder. Bill Graziani is a second generation builder. He grew up in his father s business Graziani Builders founded in During that time Bill learned quality and old world craftsmanship which soon set the gold standard in home building. Graziani Homes works hard to make the building process effortless for the customer from lot selection in our developments to picking finishes. Bill Graziani believes in doing things right the first time. Where good isn t enough, and craftsmanship and quality are more than just words. Graziani Homes builds Luxury Homes inspired by your dreams. Infinity Custom Homes 903 Penticon Lane, Warrendale, PA Jodie McCormick New Home Specialist jmccormick@buildinfinityhomes.com Infinity Custom Homes is a premier, custom homebuilder in the Pittsburgh area. We focus on building in the areas top school district, along the 79 corridor, and in the most desirable communities. While we have a variety of floor plans from which to start from, we focus on customizing every home inside & out. Together, we ll create a home that captures your personal tastes & creativity, bringing your dream home to life. Our goal is to work together offering a truly unique, memorable and enjoyable home buying experience! Londonbury Homes, Inc. 432 Jane Street Carnegie, PA T: Dion P. McMullen dmlondonbury@comcast.net We promise the highest quality homes in the most highly desired locations in Pittsburgh. Dedication to our home owners, integrity of our work and quality details have built our reputation. In one of life s largest investments, Londonbury Homes is committed to your complete satisfaction without compromise. Dion McMullen of Londonbury Homes, heads up one of the most experienced and successful custom home building entities in the greater Pittsburgh area. That success is evident because of the company s ability to search out and utilize only the finest materials and the most skilled craftsmen in the industry today. They recognize and welcome the responsibility of building what is considered one of life s largest financial investments. The company s unique and individually designed custom homes range from the $400 s to in excess of $2.5 million. Heartland Homes One Penn Center West, Suite 300 Pittsburgh, PA T: Jodie and Ann Marie Sales@HeartlandLuxuryHomes.com For over 30 years, we ve been passionately committed to building luxury homes of the highest quality and providing exceptional customer care. Our goal is to exceed your expectations throughout every step of the homebuilding experience. Whether it s the art and functionality of our single-family luxury homes, open floor plans and light-filled spaces of our townhomes or uncompromising luxury and innovative designs of our main-level owner s suites, we always keep you, the owner in mind. We build homes and communities in Allegheny, Washington and Butler Counties and Morgantown, WV Monongalia County. KACIN 3875 Old William Penn Hwy, Murrysville, PA T: Jason C. Corna jcorna@kacin.com KACIN founder A. Richard Kacin has been building upscale residential homes, condominiums and communities in the Pittsburgh region since Headquartered in the Pittsburgh suburb of Murrysville, KACIN also manages the design and construction of an array of commercial and industrial facilities throughout western Pennsylvania through our sister company, KACIN General Contractors. Paragon Homes 5949 Steubenville Pike Robinson Township, PA BestService@VisitParagonHomes.com Since 1987, Paragon Homes has been building custom homes that are unmistakably yours. Each Paragon home is designed to uniquely fit the family that calls it home. We were founded 30 years ago by a homebuyer who dreamt of a better way. Since then, we have been taking the time to handcraft homes the right way, keeping our focus on the home buyers, helping them create the home of their dreams with an easy, enjoyable process. When quality counts, you deserve a Paragon Home. 47

50 P I T T S B U R G H H O M E B U I L D E R S Parry Custom Homes State Route 30 North Huntingdon, PA T: contact@experienceparry.com Pittsburgh s Local On Your Lot Home Builder! We specialize in building custom homes throughout Pittsburgh and Southwestern Pennsylvania on your lot. We welcome you to sit back, relax, kick off your shoes and explore our website. You are one step closer to entering a truly unique and home building experience focused on your specific needs. Our team can help you accomplish your goals and dreams in a fun, efficient, and organized manner. Stop in and visit us at one of our local Pittsburgh showrooms (Irwin, Washington or Cranberry) and you will see why more customers are choosing Parry Homes to build on their lot in Pittsburgh. Pitell Homes 3413 Babcock Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA T: Tony Pitell info@pitellhomes.com For over three decades, Pitell Homes has partnered with homebuyers to make custom homebuilding an affordable reality. Tony Pitell is heavily entrenched in the process, and is a hands on builder, thus providing a very high level of quality construction and substantial savings for our customers. We build our floor plans or yours, always customizable, at an unmatched value. Within our exclusive communities, or on your private lot, helping you reach your dream of custom home ownership is our goal. Pitell Homes mission is two-fold: Custom Quality for Less and Partnership at Every Phase. Let us take you home. Ryan Homes One Penn Center West, Suite 220 Pittsburgh, PA T: Kristen & Melissa ryanhomespittsburgh@nvrinc.com Since 1948, we ve grown from a small, familyrun business to become one of the top five homebuilders in the country. While there are many reasons for our success, they all revolve around three key factors: our commitment to customers, our consistent quality, and our personalized approach. At Ryan Homes, building a better home means continuously raising the bar. That s why 98% of our buyers say they would recommend us to family and friends. With over 60 years of experience, trust us to make your dreams come true. Building new home communities in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Washington & Westmoreland Counties. Pellis Construction Company Greensburg, PA T: Pellisconstruction.com Jack Pellis jackpellis@pellisconstruction.com For over 50 years, Pellis Construction has been providing our customers with fine custom homes of unsurpassed quality and craftsmanship. As a design/build firm, we offer our customers the opportunity to work collaboratively with our professional staff to create a custom home of magnificent beauty and enduring value. Our thoughtful approach to every detail ensures that your building experience will exceed your expectations not your established budget. Build with Pellis Construction where your only limit is your imagination! PWCampbell 109 Zeta Drive, Pittsburgh, PA T: Dante Fusaro dante.fusaro@pwcampbell.com PWCampbell is a leading design/build firm headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA with over 100 years of commercial and custom residential experience within the construction industry. A third generation professional organization, we provide homeowners the valuable benefit of a Design/Build team that seamlessly works together to ensure that your project is coordinated with excellent care and quality from start to finish. Our extensive experience and expert knowledge paves the way for creative solutions to take hold, costs to be minimized, schedules streamlined and efficiencies realized. PWCampbell puts the wants and needs of the homeowner first and works tirelessly to ensure the finished product exceeds your expectations. DMS Group Inc. dba Scalise Homes 2903 Seminary Drive Greensburg, PA T: F: Dominic W. Scalise, President dom@scalisehomes.com As a premier builder of luxury custom homes for more than 40 years, Scalise Homes has garnered a reputation for uncompromising quality and unparalleled client satisfaction. Now, Scalise Homes is providing homeowners a luxury lifestyle-simplified- with its Villas at The Legends patio home community in North Huntingdon. The Villas offer homeowners the features associated with a Scalise-built residence: private patios, appealing architectural details and quality craftsmanship. The low maintenance lifestyle includes year round lawn and snow removal services. Each Scalise-built home, whether traditional or villa, is customized to meet the clients lifestyle. 48 GREATER PITTSBURGH S NEW HOME Summer 2018

51 P I T T S B U R G H H O M E B U I L D E R S Scarmazzi Homes 102 West Pike Street Houston, PA info@scarmazzihomes.com Established in 1999 by Paul and Lisa Scarmazzi of Canonsburg, Pa, Scarmazzi Homes offers lifestyle solutions to those wanting a more carefree form of homeownership in both Allegheny and Washington Counties. By teaming up with Epcon Homes and Communities, the country s largest builder of single-level living homes, Scarmazzi Homes has provided over 500 patio homes to those that desire a low-maintenance lifestyle. By providing true single-level architecture, lawn services and an unparalleled commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, Scarmazzi Homes has become the choice builder for those looking to simplify. Stambrosky Homes PO Box 238 Presto, PA T: Danielle Stambrosky Mach daniellemach@howardhanna.com Stambrosky Homes was founded by George Stambrosky in When Stambrosky Homes was in its beginning stages, its focus was on great carpentry and craftsmanship. By 1972, Rick Stambrosky joined his father after graduation from the University of Dayton. From the mid to late 1970 s, father and son grew the company from building homes to neighborhoods. Nevillewood was one of their largest projects and Stambrosky Homes is still expanding themselves today. Current developments are in Peters Twp, South Fayette, and Collier Twp. The company has 12 key personnel that facilitate in the construction of new developments and construction of new homes as well as the original passion of their craftsmanship. Traditions of America at Summer Seat 114 Gateway Drive, Pittsburgh, PA T: Nestled in the scenic North Hills just 12 miles from downtown Pittsburgh, Traditions of America at Summer Seat offers 5-star living with resort-style amenities. Here homeowners enjoy a 4,500 square-foot Clubhouse with a Sports Bar & Lounge, Heated Pool, outdoor kitchen, fire pit, billiards, pickle ball, walking trails and so much more. With 7 low-maintenance, customizable Single Family and Garden Home floor plans, 6 Designer Model Homes to visit, an inspiring Design Studio, and Welcome Center to explore, Summer Seat has everything you need to make your dreams a reality. Exactly what you d expect from a nationally award-winning builder. R. A. Snoznik Construction, Inc Old William Penn Highway Murrysville, PA T: Kelly Snoznik, New Home Concierge info@rasnoznik.net Building a custom home calls for many decisions and with personable service, Ray Snoznik works closely with each client, providing extensive guidance throughout the building process. Ray believes in client satisfaction and quality craftsmanship, ensuring that each step throughout the building process exceeds the client s expectations. Efficient systems are in place to make the building process easy for the client and to expedite construction. Ray is dedicated to delivering your custom home on time and on budget. Accolades include BAMP s Housing Excellence Awards, Pittsburgh Business Times Largest Pittsburgh-Area Home Builders, and features in Housetrends, Greater Pittsburgh New Home and Whirl magazines. Suncrest Homes, Inc Old William Penn Highway Murrysville PA T: F: J. Michael Ruefle, Jr., President Colleen Ruefle-Haley, Vice President Suncrest Homes has been proudly building Custom and Semi-Custom Homes as well as room additions for 29 years. Suncrest has always been on the leading edge of new and innovative building concepts and designs. Whether open floor plans, Cottage Villas, Craftsman style homes or traditional living, you can be assured your dreams will be fulfilled by our team of experienced trend setting professionals. Six time Housing Excellence Award winner and members of NAHB, PBA and BAMP Suncrest Homes has homes and communities in Westmoreland and South Butler Counties. Weaver Homes PO Box 449, Mars, PA T: Kelly Dunn kdunn@weaverhomes.com With more than 25 years of design and building experience, Weaver Homes is the premier custom home builder in the Northern Pittsburgh region. Our goal as a builder is to help make your dream home a reality through allowing you to tailor and expand upon our floor plans to suit your unique needs and desires. By working with only the best professional contractors, we offer the quality, integrity, service, attention to details, craftsmanship, and value you deserve in your forever home. Family-owned and operated, we take a very hands-on approach to our construction process. Building a custom home is one of the most emotional experiences you will ever have, and we take that to heart. We think of our homeowners as family; we believe it s impossible to build someone their dream home without truly getting to know who they are as individuals, as a family member. 49

52 R E S I D E N T I A L NEW CONSTRUCTION Custom single-family homes, carriage homes, townhomes, condominiums, new locations and new homesites. NEWHOME S P O N S O R E D B Y can help you discover a home to match your lifestyle. City of Pittsburgh - 50 Allegheny County - 50 Beaver County - 53 Butler County - 54 Washington County - 55 Westmoreland County - 56 CITY OF PITTSBURGH 2500 Smallman Strip District Luxury Condominiums Priced from: $1,400,000 School district: City of Pittsburgh Agency: Northwood Realty Services northwood.com Empire On Liberty Luxury Condominiums Priced from: $430,000 School district: City of Pittsburgh Agency: Northwood Realty Services northwood.com Summerset at Frick Park City of Pittsburgh/ Squirrel Hill Traditional Neighborhood Development, townhomes, condominiums, and paired homes. Priced from: $460,000 School district: City of Pittsburgh Agency: KACIN Development Associates kacin.com The Tannery East Deutschtown Townhomes Priced from: $279,900 School District: Pittsburgh Agency: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices thepreferredrealty.com The Woods at Bradley Street Mt. Washington Priced from: $425,000 School district: City of Pittsburgh Agency: Coldwell Banker Real thewoodsatbradleystreet.com ALLEGHENY COUNTY 400 Washington Mt. Lebanon Condos and Townhomes Priced From: $457,800 School District: Mt. Lebanon Agency: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices thepreferredrealty.com Alderwood Pine Township Colonial Priced from: $439,900 School district: North Allegheny Agency: Dan Ryan Builders pittsburgh Altmyer Fields Marshall Township Courtyard single living Priced from: $339,900 School district: North Allegheny Agency: Weaver Homes weaverhomes.com Arbor Trail Robinson Township Single family homes Priced from: $280 s Ryanhomes.com Autumn Ridge Plum Borough Priced from: $220 s Ryanhomes.com Bedner Estates Upper Saint Clair Priced from: $470 s School district: Upper Saint Clair Agency: Heartland Homes HeartlandLuxuryHomes.com Briarwood Mt. Lebanon Priced from: $450,000 School district: Mt. Lebanon Agency: Costa Homebuilders The Cascades O Hara Township Priced from: $850,000 School district: Fox Chapel Agency: Howard Hanna Real howardhanna.com Castletown Franklin Township Single-family estate homes Priced from: $650,000 School district: North Allegheny Agency: Brennan Realty LP Brennanbuilders.com Castors Farm Jefferson Hills Priced from: $439,000 School district: West Jefferson Hills Agency: Costa Homebuilders Chamberlin Ridge Single-family luxury homes Jefferson Hills Priced from: Low $439,000 School district: West Jefferson Hills Agency: Costa Homebuilders Chapel Harbor Fox Chapel Carriage homes, townhomes and single-family homes Priced from: $249,900 School district: Fox Chapel Area Agency: Coldwell Banker Real liveinchapelharbor.com Chapel Harbor O Hara Township Townhomes & single family homes Priced from: $390 s School District: Fox Chapel Area Agency: Howard Hanna Real howardhanna.com Chapel Hill Estates Marshall Township Priced from: $850,000 School district: North Allegheny Agency: Achieve Realty Chapel Pointe Fox Chapel Townhomes Priced from: Low $600 s School district: Fox Chapel Area Agency: Howard Hanna Real howardhanna.com Chartiers Landing Robinson Township Priced from: $390,000 School district: Montour Agency: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices thepreferredrealty.com Courtyards at The Preserves North Fayette Township Patio Homes Priced from: High $280 s School district: West Allegheny Agency: Scarmazzi Homes Deerfield Ridge South Fayette Township Custom Single Family Homes $450,000 and up South Fayette Paragon Homes Deer Valley Estates Ohio Township Priced from: $390 s School district: Avonworth ryanhomes.com Edgewater at Oakmont Oakmont, condos, townhomes, and paired homes Priced from: $359,900 School district: Riverview Agency: KACIN Emerald Fields Pine Township Priced from: $700,000 School district: Pine Richland Agency: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices thepreferredrealty.com Emerald Fields Pine Township Priced from: $520' School district: Pine Richland Agency: Heartland Homes HeartlandLuxuryHomes.com The Enclave Fox Chapel Priced from: $950,000 School district: Fox Chapel Area Coldwell Banker Real coldwellbankerhomes.com TheEnclave 50 GREATER PITTSBURGH S NEW HOME Summer 2018

53 Estates at Franklin Fields Franklin Park Priced from: $510 s School district: North Allegheny Agency: Heartland Homes HeartlandLuxuryHomes.com The Estates at Jefferson Jefferson Borough Priced from: $200 s Agency: Coldwell Banker Real coldwellbankerhomes.com JeffersonEstates Emerald Fields Pine Township Priced from: $700,000 School district: Pine Richland Agency: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices thepreferredrealty.com Fairmont Square Marshall Township Townhomes Priced from: $250 s School district: North Allegheny Agency: Heartland Homes HeartlandLuxuryHomes.com Falconhurst Forest Fox Chapel Priced from: $750,000 School district: Fox Chapel Area Agency: Howard Hanna Real howardhanna.com Fayette Farms North Fayette Priced from: $250 s School district: West Allegheny ryanhomes.com Fayette Farms Estates North Fayette Township Custom Homes Priced from: $400,000 School district: West Allegheny Agency: Keller Williams Field Brook Farms Richland Township Priced from: Low $600 s School district: Pine-Richland Agency: Howard Hanna Real howardhanna.com Fields of Nicholson Franklin Park Borough Custom carriage-homes and villas Priced from: $550's and up School district: North Allegheny Agency: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices thepreferredrealty.com Forest Oaks at Wexford Wexford Single-family Priced from: $199,900 School district: North Allegheny Coldwell Banker Real forestoaksatwexford.com The Grove O Hara Township Priced from: high $200s School district: Fox Chapel Agency: Pitell Homes PitellHomes.com The Hamptons Hampton Township Priced from: $540 s School district: Hampton Agency: Heartland Homes HeartlandLuxuryHomes.com Hampton Woodlands Hampton Township Priced from: $490,000 School district: Hampton Agency: Coldwell Banker Real coldwellbankerhomes.com HamptonWoodlands Hastings South Fayette Township Single-family & townhomes Priced from: Mid $200's School district: South Fayette Agency: Charter Homes & Neighborhoods (800) LifeAtHastings.com Highland Estates Ross Township Priced from: $330 s School district: North Hills ryanhomes.com The Hunt Club West Deer Township Carriage homes Priced from: $280 s School district: Deer Lakes Agency: Brennan Realty LP Brennanbuilders.com HyTyre Farms West Deer Township Carriage Homes Priced from: $224,000 School district: Deer Lakes Agency: Richland Holdings, LLC Kennedy Highlands Kennedy Township Colonial Priced from: $184,900 School district: Montour Agency: Dan Ryan Builders pittsburgh Kevington South Fayette Township Single-family estate homes Priced from: $414,900 School district: South Fayette Agency: Dan Ryan Builders DanRyanBuilders.com/Pittsburgh HOMES ACROSS ALL WESTERN PA COMMUNITIES FROM $400,000 PICKY PEOPLE PICK PARAGON any home buyers think that custom equals expensive, but at Paragon we would M love to make your dream home a reality whether your budget is $400,000 or over $2,000,000. At Paragon, we have a simple philosophy: build a great home designed around the customer s needs and dreams. Contact us today and put our buyer-friendly process to work for you, after all, they are Your Dreams, Your Home, and should be built Your Way. call today: Lake MacLeod Pine Township Priced from: $1,000,000 School district: Pine-Richland Agency: Achieve Realty barringtonhomespa.com Lake MacLeod Pine Township Priced from: $750,000 School district: Pine-Richland Agency: Coldwell Banker Real or lakemacleod.com Langdon Farms Pine Township Priced from: $850,000 School district: Pine-Richland Agency: Achieve Realty barringtonhomespa.com Laurel Grove Pine Township Coming soon School district: Pine-Richland Agency: Infinity Custom Homes buildinfinityhomes.com Laurel Grove Pine Township Coming soon School district: Pine-Richland Agency: Heartland Homes HeartlandLuxuryHomes.com Marks Landing Robinson Township Custom homes Priced from: $550,000 house and lot School district: Montour markslanding.net Marion Estates Findlay Township Priced from: $280s Ryanhomes.com The Meadows at Hampton Hampton Township Custom single-family and ranches Priced from: $575,000 School district: Hampton Agency: RE/MAX Select Realty x657 madiahomes.com Newbury South Fayette Township Priced from: Low $400 s School District: South Fayette Agency: Infinity Custom Homes Buildinfinityhomes.com Newbury South Fayette Single family estate homes Priced from: $629,000 School district: South Fayette Agency: KACIN Oak Grove Franklin Park Townhomes Priced from: $340 s School district: North Allegheny Agency: Heartland Homes HeartlandLuxuryHomes.com Overlook Estates Ohio Township Priced from: $360s Ryanhomes.com 51

54 Park Place Indiana Township Priced from: $750,000 School district: Fox Chapel Agency: Howard Hanna Real howardhanna.com Parkside Meadows Collier Township Custom Single Family Homes $450,000 and up Chartiers Valley Paragon Homes Pinnacle Pointe South Fayette Priced from: $270 s Ryanhomes.com The Preserves North Fayette Township Colonial Priced from: $335,000 School district: West Allegheny Agency: Dan Ryan Builders pittsburgh Private Acreage South Fayette Custom single family homes $450,000 and up South Fayette Paragon Homes Raintree Manor Hampton Township Townhomes Priced from: $225,000 School district: Hampton Agency: Minnock Construction Company The Ridge at Highland Pines Ross Township Priced from: coming soon School district: North Hills Ryanhomes.com The Ridge at Highland Pines Ross Township Priced from: high $300s School district: North Hills Agency: Pitell Homes PitellHomes.com The Ridge at Manor Pine Township Single-family Homes Priced from: $900,000 School district: Pine Richland Agency: Achieve Realty barringtonhomespa.com The Ridge at Manor Pine Township Priced from: $850,000 School district: Pine-Richland Agency: Howard Hanna Real howardhanna.com Ridgeview Estates Monroeville Lots start at: $35,000 School district: Gateway Agency: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices thepreferredrealty.com The Rivers Edge at Oakmont Oakmont Single-family, duplexes, condominiums and apartments Starting at: mid $300,000 s School district: Riverview Agency: Howard Hanna Real howardhanna.com Traditions of America at Summer Seat North Hills Single-level living, 55+ Starting at: mid $300,000 s Agency: Traditions of America TraditionsOfAmerica.com Sangree Farms Ross Township Custom single-family homes Priced from: $500,000 School district: North Hills Agency: Minnock Real Estate Services Settlers Pointe Collier Township Priced from: High $400,000 School district: Chartiers Valley Agency: Howard Hanna Real howardhanna.com Sewickley Heights Manor Aleppo Township Custom single-family homes Priced from: $300,000 School district: Quaker Valley Agency: Minnock Construction Company Shenandoah Estates Upper St. Clair Priced from: Upper $700 s School District: Upper St. Clair Agency: Infinity Custom Homes Buildinfinityhomes.com Silver Pines Pine Richland Townships Priced from: $850,000 School district: Pine Richland Agency: Howard Hanna Real Silver Summit Robinson Township Townhomes and Priced from: coming soon School district: Montour Agency: Heartland Homes HeartlandLuxuryHomes.com Summer Fields Franklin Park Priced from: high $300s School district: North Allegheny Agency: Pitell Homes PitellHomes.com Summer Oaks Marshall Township Priced from: $650,000 and up School district: North Allegheny Agency: Costa Home Builders costahomebuilders.com Summerfield at North Park Pine Township Priced from: $950,000 School district: Pine-Richland Agency: Achieve Realty, Inc X667 Summit Mount Lebanon Township Priced from: High $600s School District: Mount Lebanon Agency: Charter Homes & Neighborhoods (800) charterhomes.com/summit EDGEWATER at Oakmont! Call or jcorna@kacin.com for information or to schedule your private tour. LiveAtEdgewater.com Find us on facebook! on the River. This is Edgewater! 52 GREATER PITTSBURGH S NEW HOME Summer 2018

55 The Summit Walkers Ridge Marshall Township Priced from: $800,000 School district: North Allegheny Agency: Coldwell Banker Real coldwellbankerhomes.com/ TheSummit Collier Township Custom single-family homes $450,000 and up Chartiers Valley Paragon Homes Pine Township Priced from: Mid $500 s School District: Pine-Richland Agency: Infinity Custom Homes Buildinfinityhomes.com Thompson Terrace Ohio Township Priced from: mid $200s School district: Avonworth Agency: Pitell Homes PitellHomes.com Traditions of America at Summer Seat North Hills Single-level living, 55+ Agency: Traditions of America TraditionsofAmerica.com Venango Trails Marshall Township Townhomes and single-family homes Priced from: $280 s School district: North Allegheny Agency: Heartland Homes HeartlandLuxuryHomes.com Venango Trails Marshall Township and carriage homes Priced from: $370 s School district: North Allegheny Agency: Brennan Realty LP Brennanbuilders.com South Fayette Priced from: $390 s School district: South Fayette Agency: Heartland Homes HeartlandLuxuryHomes.com Washington Square Jefferson Hills Borough Priced from: $260s School district: West Jefferson Hills ryanhomes.com Willow Terrace Bethel Park Colonial Priced from: $264,900 School district: Bethel Park Agency: Dan Ryan Builders danryanbuilders.com/pittsburgh T H E G R OV E Fox Chapel Schools O Hara Township from high $200s Minutes from Sharpsburg, and Rt. 28 or Rt. 8 LOT ac LOT ac LOT ac LOT ac High Quality and Exceptional Value New Construction Ranch or First Floor Owner s Suite Floor Plans Available LOT ac The Grove Single-Family Homes JOANNE STREET Sunset Ridge Walnut Ridge LOT ac Only 4 Home Sites Remain! GROVE STREET This site plan is for illustrative purposes only. Actual layout and true locations very upon completion and are subject to change without notice. Woodcreek Manor Findlay Township Townhomes and carriage homes Priced from: $209,990 and $249,990 School district: West Allegheny Agency: Dan Ryan Builders pittsburgh Contact: info@pitellhomes.com or Marketed Exclusively by For More Information, Visit PittsburghMoves.com The Comprehensive Source for Western Pennsylvania Real Estate. Coldwell Banker is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Owned and Operated by NRT LLC. For Information Call: Ed Moan Fox Chapel Office 17 Brilliant Ave. Pittsburgh, PA Woodwind of Hampton Allison Park Priced from $600,000 School District: Hampton Agency: Coldwell Banker Real or coldwellbankerhomes.com/ Woodwind Villas at Cool Springs Bethal Park Carriage homes Priced from: $269,900 School district: Bethal Park Agency: Coldwell Banker Real coolspringsvill.com The Village at Camp Trees Pine Township Priced from: $480,000 School district: Pine Richland Agency: Weaver Homes weaverhomes.com The Villages at Ridge Forest Franklin Park Townhomes Priced from: $280 s School district: North Allegheny ryanhomes.com BEAVER COUNTY Clairmont Manor Hopewell Township Colonial Priced from: $237,900 School district: Hopewell Agency: Dan Ryan Builders pittsburgh Goldenrod Meadows North Sewickley Township Priced from: $250,000 School district: Riverside Agency: Howard Hanna Real howardhanna.com crescentbathsandkitchens.com 53

56 Seven Oaks Brighton Township Golf-course community with single-family custom homes and carriage homes Priced from: $400 s School district: Beaver Area Agency: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices thepreferredrealty.com BUTLER COUNTY Blackhawk Middlesex Township Priced from: $280 s School district: Mars Ryanhomes.com Blackthorn Penn Township Priced from: $66,000/$379,900 School district: South Butler Agency: Northwood Realty northwood.com Brookview Farms Jackson Township Priced from: coming soon School district: Seneca Valley Ryanhomes.com Carriage Manor Cranberry Township Priced from: $700,000 School district: Seneca Valley Agency: Coldwell Banker Real coldwellbankerhomes.com/ carriagemanor Carriage Manor Cranberry Township Priced from: mid $800s School district: Seneca Valley Agency: Pitell Homes PitellHomes.com Chatham Court Adams Township Luxury paired villas Priced from: Mid $700 s School district: Mars Area Agency: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices thepreferredrealty.com The Courtyards at Creekside Adams Township Courtyard single level homes Priced from: $327,900 School district: Mars Agency: Weaver Homes weaverhomes.com The Courtyards at Krendale Butler Township Patio homes Priced from: $244,900 School district: Butler Agency: Weaver Homes weaverhomes.com Dutch Creek Estates Jackson Township Colonial Priced from: $279,900 School district: Seneca Valley Agency: Dan Ryan Builders pittsburgh Ehrman Farms Cranberry Township Priced from: $600,000 School district: Seneca Valley Agency: Howard Hanna Real howardhanna.com Forest Edge Priced from: Upper $500 s School District: Seneca Valley Agency: Infinity Custom Homes Buildinfinityhomes.com Franklin Crossing Cranberry Township Priced from: Low $500 s School District: Seneca Valley Agency: Infinity Custom Homes Buildinfinityhomes.com The Gables Adams Township Carriage Homes Starting at: $400,000 School district: Mars Area Agency: Howard Hanna Real howardhanna.com The Glen at Woodside Cranberry Township Courtyards single level homes Priced from: $320,000 School district: Seneca Valley Agency: Weaver Homes weaverhomes.com The Greens at Blackthorne Estates Penn Township Priced from: coming soon School district: Penn Trafford Ryanhomes.com Hidden Springs Cannoquenessing Borough and duplexes Priced from: $400,000 single-family homes and $300,000 duplexes School district: Butler Area Agency: Northwood Realty northwood.com Jackson Crossing Jackson Township Priced from: $280 s School district: Seneca Valley ryanhomes.com John Quincy Adams Adams Township Priced from: $550,000 School district: Mars Area Agency: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices thepreferredrealty.com John Quincy Adams Estates Adams Township Priced from: $649,000 School district: Mars Area Agency; Achieve Realty Lakeview Adams Township Townhomes Priced from: $245,000 School district: Mars Area Agency: Howard Hanna Real howardhanna.com Leslie Farms Connoquenessing Borough Single-family Priced from $200,000 School District: Butler Coldwell Banker Real coldwellbankerhomes.com/ lesliefarms Links of Cranberry Cranberry Township Priced from: $325,900 Townhomes Priced from: $224,900 School district: Seneca Valley Agency: Dan Ryan Builders pittsburgh Meredith Glen Estates Adams Township Custom single-family homes Priced from: $850,000 School district: Mars Area Agency: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices thepreferredrealty.com Legacy at Middlesex Crossing Middlesex, PA Priced from: coming soon School district: Mars ryanhomes.com Townhomes at Middlesex Crossing Middlesex, PA Priced from: coming soon School district: Mars ryanhomes.com Park Place Cranberry Township and townhomes Priced from: $310 s, single-family, $240s townhomes School district: Seneca Valley and Ryanhomes.com Peachmont Farms Evans City Priced from: $280 s School district: Seneca Valley Ryanhomes.com Plantations Lancaster Township Priced from: $410,000 School district: Seneca Valley Agency: Brennan Realty LP Brennanbuilders.com Sarvers Mill Sarver Priced from: $260 s School district: Freeport ryanhomes.com Scenic Ridge Lancaster Township Patio homes and Courtyard Single Level Living Priced from: $254,900 School district: Seneca Valley Agency: Weaver Homes weaverhomes.com Shelton Place at Leslie Farms Evans City Quad Patio Homes Priced from: $228,900 School district: Butler Agency: Pitell Homes PitellHomes.com Timber Ridge Lancaster Township Priced from: $450,000 School district: Seneca Valley Agency: Brennan Reality Timberlee Farms Connoquenessing Township Single-family-homes Priced from: $300,000 School district: Butler Area Agency: Brennan Realty Traditions of America Cranberry Single level living, 55+ Agency: Traditions of America TraditionsOfAmerica.com Twin Oats Buffalo Township Priced from: coming soon School district: Freeport ryanhomes.com The Village at Camp Trees Adams Township Priced from: $480,000 School district: Mars Agency: Weaver Homes weaverhomes.com The Vineyards Connoqenessing Township Courtyard single level homes Priced from: $264,900 School district: Butler Agency: Weaver Homes weaverhomes.com Vista Ridge Adams Township Priced from: $380,000 School district: Mars Area Agency: Weaver Homes weaverhomes.com Wakefield Estates Cranberry Township Custom single-family homes Priced from: $750,000 School district: Seneca Valley Agency: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices thepreferredrealty.com Weatherburn Heights Middlesex Township Priced from: $310 s School district: Mars Area ryanhomes.com Weather Vane Hill Slippery Rock Priced from: $300,000 School district: Slippery Rock Agency: Howard Hanna Real howardhanna.com Winterwood Butler Southwest Priced from: $300,000 Six wooded lots available Agency: Northwood Realty northwood.com Woodland Trace Adams Township Custom single-family homes Priced from: $650 s School district: Mars Area Agency: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty thepreferredrealty.com Woodside Cranberry Township Priced from: High $300's School District: Seneca Valley Agency: Charter Homes & Neighborhoods (800) charterhomes.com/woodside Wyncrest Estates Butler Township Priced from: $250,000 School district: Butler Area Coldwell Banker Real coldwellbankerhomes.com/wyncrestestates 54 GREATER PITTSBURGH S NEW HOME Summer 2018

57 WASHINGTON COUNTY Alto Piano Cecil Township Priced from: $600,000 School district: Canon-McMillan Agency: Howard Hanna Real howardhanna.com Anthony Farms Peters Township Priced from: $695,000 Agency: Howard Hanna Real howardhanna.com Arabian Meadows Chartiers Township Patio Homes Priced from: $280's School district: Chartiers Houston Agency: Scarmazzi Homes Arden Farms Chartiers Township Attached carriage homes with first floor master suites Priced from: $249,900 School district: Chartiers Houston Agency: Scarmazzi Homes Arden Farms Chartiers Township Townhomes and Carriage homes Priced from: $194,900 and $239,900 School district: Chartiers Houston Agency: Dan Ryan Builders danryanbuilders.com Bradford Run South Strabane Township Priced from: coming soon School district: Trinity Ryanhomes.com Bridgeview North Strabane Township Townhomes Priced from: $229,900 School district: Canon-McMillan Agency: Howard Hanna Real howardhanna.com Brookview Peters Township Carriage homes Priced from: $500,000 School district: Peters Township Agency: Keller Williams The Courtyards at Windsor Woods Cecil Township Patio Homes Price starting from $290's School district: Canon McMillan Agency: Scarmazzi Homes scarmazzihomes.com The Enclave at Concord Green Camonsburg Villa Homes Coming soon School district: Canon McMillan ryanhomes.com Fair Acres Upper St. Clair Custom single-family homes Priced from: Lots, $650,000 School district: Upper St Clair Agency: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices thepreferredrealty.com Fieldstone Peters Township Custom homes Priced from: $600,000-$800,000 School district: Peters Township Agency: Keller Williams Agency Fox Ridge Village North Strabane Township Priced from: $310s Ryanhomes.com Hamlet of Springdale Peters Township Custom Homes Priced from: $800,000 to $2,000,000 School district: Peters Township Agency: Keller Williams Agency Meadow Ridge Peters Township Priced from: $655,900 School district: Peters Township Agency: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices thepreferredrealty.com Old Trail Peters Township Priced from: $550,000 School district: Peters Township Agency: Costa Homebuilders costahomebuilders.com The Overlook at Peters Peters Township Priced from: $450,000 School district: Peters Township Agency: Howard Hanna Real howardhanna.com Overlook at Southpointe Cecil Township Priced from: $430 s School district: Canon McMillan Agency: Heartland Homes HeartlandLuxuryHomes.com Family-owned and operated, we take a very hands-on approach to our construction process. Building a custom home is one of the most emotional experiences you will ever have, and we take that to heart. We think of our homeowners as family; we believe it s impossible to build someone their dream home without truly getting to know who they are as individuals, as a family. A WEAVER MASTER BUILDERS, INC. COMPANY Building Homes People Love A Family Tradition 55

58 The Overlook at Southpointe Cecil Township Luxury townhomes Priced from: $230s School district: Canon-McMillan ryanhomes.com Piatt Estates Washington Priced from: $260s School district: Chartiers-Houston ryanhomes.com Spindle Court at Summerbrooke North Strabane Township Priced from: $500,000 School district: Canon McMillan Agency: Howard Hanna Real howardhanna.com Strabane Manor North Strabane Township Colonial Priced from: $179,900 School district: Trinity Agency: Dan Ryan Builders pittsburgh Tuscany Peters Township Luxury estate homes Priced from: $1,000,000 School district: Peters Township Agency: Keller Williams Agency Waterdam Farms North Strabane Township Patio homes Priced from: high $300,000s School district: Canon McMillan Agency: Coldwell Banker Real X210 Whispering Pines Peters Township Priced from: $600,000 and up School district: Peters Township Agency: Costa Homebuilders Windsor Woods Cecil Township Colonial Priced from: $249,802 School District: Canon McMillan Agency: Dan Ryan Builders pittsburgh WESTMORELAND COUNTY Acropolis Heights Unity Township Custom single-family homes Priced from: $500,000 School district: Greater Latrobe Agency: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices thepreferredrealty.com Allegheny Woodlands Allegheny Township Custom single-family and cottage villas Priced from: low $290,000 singlefamily and Low $200 s cottage villas School district: Kiski Area Agency: Howard Hanna Real howardhanna.com Augusta Penn Township Priced from: $375,000 School district: Penn-Trafford Agency: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices thepreferredrealty.com Bianca Rose Murrysville School district: Franklin Regional Blackthorne Estates Penn Township Priced from: $410 s School district: Penn Trafford ryanhomes.com Cedar Hills Rostraver Township Condominiums and villas Priced from: $265,500 School district: Belle Vernon Area Agency: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices thepreferredrealty.com Cherry Knoll Delmont Priced from: $ School district: Greensburg Salem Agency: RE/MAX Select Realty rasnoznik.net Cherry Wood Estates Mt. Pleasant Township Custom single-family homes Priced from: Low $300 s School district: Mount Pleasant Agency: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices thepreferredrealty.com Fairfield Hempfield Township Villas, Paired Villas, Custom Homes Priced from: $350,000 School district: Hempfield Area Agency: Pellis Construction pellisconstruction.com Feightner Estates Hempfield Township lots Priced from: $64,500 - $74,500 School district: Hempfield Area Agency: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices thepreferredrealty.com Foxfield Knoll Unity Township School district: Greater Latrobe Agency: ReMax Select Foxtail Court at Rolling Ridge Murrysville Priced from: $600,000 School district: Franklin Regional Agency: Howard Hanna Real howardhanna.com Glenn Aire Unity Township Custom single-family homes Priced from: $375,000 School district: Greater Latrobe Agency: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices thepreferredrealty.com High Pointe Estates Hempfield Township Custom Homes Priced from: $375,000 School district: Hempfield Area Agency: Pellis Construction pellisconstruction.com Kingsbrooke Estates Unity Township Paired Villas, Custom Homes Priced from: $285,000 School district: Latrobe Agency: Pellis Construction pellisconstruction.com The Legends North Huntingdon Custom Single Family, Villas, Paired Villas Priced from: mid $300,000s School District: Norwin Agency: Scalise Real Estate Inc scalisehomes.com Lindwood Crest Hempfield Township Over 55 Start at: $239,900 School district: Hempfield Agency: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices thepreferredrealty.com Lorien Fields Penn Township One-level townhomes Priced from: $190 s School district: Penn Trafford Ryanhomes.com Northpointe Hempfield Township Priced from: $330,000 School district: Hempfield Area Agency: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices thepreferredrealty.com North Meadow Patio Homes and level Ranch Homes Priced from: $250 s School District: Kiski Area Agency: KACIN Palmer Place Unity Township Custom single-family Priced from: $700,000 School district: Greater Latrobe Agency: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices thepreferredrealty.com Serenity Pointe Murrysville Priced from: $550,000 School district: Franklin Regional Agency: Howard Hanna Real howardhanna.com Siena Ridge Murrysville Priced from : $650,000 School district: Franklin Regional Agency: Howard Hanna Real howardhanna.com Sterling Oaks Penn Township Single-Family and carriage homes School District: Penn Trafford Agency: Howard Hanna Real howardhanna.com Tuscan Hills North Huntington Priced from: coming soon Ryanhomes.com The Village at Heritage Estate Murrysville Patio Homes Priced from: $274,900 School district: Franklin Regional Agency: Howard Hanna Real howardhanna.com Villas of Totteridge Salem Township Villas and manor homes Priced from: Villas $279,900 School district: Greensburg/Salem Agency: Howard Hanna Real howardhanna.com Villas at Heritage Estates Murrysville Patio homes Priced from: Low $274,900 School district: Franklin Regional Agency: Howard Hanna Real howardhanna.com Villas of Willow Estates North Huntington Luxury Villas Priced From: $390,000 School District: Norwin Schools Agency: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices thepreferredrealty.com Weatherton Farm Estates Unity Township Priced from: $290,000 School district: Greater Latrobe Agency: RE/MAX Select Realty rasnoznik.net White Pines Unity Township Single Family Homes Priced from: $399,000 School District: Greater Latrobe Agency: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices thepreferredrealty.com Wimmerton Place Unity Township Paired Villas Priced from: $275,000 School district: Latrobe Agency: Pellis Construction pellisconstruction.com The Woods of Brandywine Penn Township Priced from: $240 s School district: Penn Trafford ryanhomes.com Yok Wood Ridge Unity Township Priced from: $200 s School district: Greater Latrobe Agency: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices thepreferredrealty.com 56 GREATER PITTSBURGH S NEW HOME Summer 2018

59 NEWHOMEVOICES GIVING BACK BY LISA SCARMAZZI More than 2.5 million children, many below the age of six, are homeless each year, according to The Bassuk Center on Homeless and Vulnerable Children and Youth. More families experience homelessness in the US than in any other industrialized nation, mothers with children being the largest growing segment. Last year alone, Washington City Mission in Washington, PA had to turn away 257 women and 88 children in the Pittsburgh area due to lack of space. To provide a safe haven for these women with children, Washington City Mission, along with Scarmazzi Homes, has recently embarked on a new initiative. An intensive rehabilitation of the mission s current women s shelter to provide suites that will allow for a living space, bedroom and private bath for each family unit. It s heartbreaking to turn away these women, but we just didn t have the room, says Dr. Sally Mounts, Chief Development Officer at City Mission. We re making a dent in that. By doubling their current capacity, 32 homeless women and children will now have a place to call home. The suites are not the barracks-style construction typically found in social housing. Scarmazzi Homes, a corporate partner of City Mission, created comfortable, warm and inviting spaces to eliminate the stigma associated with living in a shelter. It s important that these women see that they deserve better. That there are people that care about them and want to help. In addition to living suites, City Mission Avis Arbor Women with Children s Shelter will also feature a staffed daycare and nursery. By providing safe and stable childcare, these mothers will now be able to focus on their goals; recovery, education or job training. Our goal is to create a safe place, a place of dignity, a place where a mother can rest, get her head straight and get back into society to provide for her family, says Brian Johansson, Chief Operating Officer for the Mission. A full program specific to this population is now under way, focusing on programs and solutions for these women to eliminate barriers to independent living. City Mission receives less than 2% of its overall budget from state and federal money. The construction phase of Avis Arbor renovation has been provided through grants, local agencies and organizations. Scarmazzi Homes has helped City Mission to launch Avis Arbor Fixer Upper 2018, a fundraiser to raise monies needed to furnish the remaining unsponsored suites, daycare, lounge, laundry and office. I m hoping that others in our region feel a connection with this project as we do. We use our expertise and experience to provide homes to our customers every day. There s no better fit than to carry it a bit further and help to provide a safe and nurturing home for these mothers and children. For more information or to help furnish City Mission Avis Arbor Women and Children s Shelter, visit org and view Avis Arbor Fixer Upper or contact Dr. Sally Mounts at Lisa Scarmazzi Scarmazzi Homes 57