Pittsburgh Mortgage and Real Estate Blog

Quote of the day
“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goals.”

Product for the week
I have seen a real increase in my personal use of the Freddie Mac 100 program. This program does not have an income limit, allows for 3% seller assist, and there is not an add-on to the rate when you use Chase. This loan is custom fit for a doctor getting started or an engineer buying their first home. Call me at 412.606.6701 to go over the particulars of this great loan product.

Person to know
Rochell Heininger is with RealEstateShows.com. RealEstateShows and Chase have formed an alliance to help get you more business. At a discounted rate of only $35 per year (if you partner with Chase) you can list as many RealEstateShows of your listed homes. I have created several shows with my referral partners and they are quite dynamic. It allows you and your seller to pick a background song that you feel best represents the house. It also gives the seller an opportunity to be an active participant in selling their home. To find out how call Rochell Heininger at rochell@realestateshows.com or by phone at 888.580.7627 X 704. Do not worry she is local! Right in our back yard to help us get more business.

Pittsburgh area Fun Fact - with the recent developments on the Birmingham Bridge - I thought this was interesting.

Today as one stands atop one of the many hilltops above 1,200 feet, it is not difficult to imagine that they were all part of a single, vast plateau, sloping ever so gently down toward the northwest.

Pittsburgh and its suburbs are known for steep hillsides covered with buildings, streets which have steps for sidewalks, and sidewalks which are named streets. From the highest point in Allegheny County, 1,401 feet at River Hill in Forward Township, to the 710 foot normal pool level of the Ohio River at the Point in Pittsburgh, and down to the 682 foot elevation on the banks of the Ohio as it exits the County in the west, the elevation varies by a bit more than 700 feet. Other locations may have greater relief, but they are not as heavily urbanized; other cities may be more densely built, but they will tend to be on gentler terrain.

With topography such as this, it is not surprising that there are so many bridges. One count reports over 2,000 bridges of 8 feet span or greater. Most types of bridges are represented in this area with the exception of cable-stayed, pontoon, or movable deck designs.

Bridge engineers hold their conventions here. The Gateway Clipper Fleet offers guided riverboat tours featuring the bridges. It’s virtually impossible to travel any notable distance without crossing a bridge.

Long ago, Indian trails crossed the area, often following the tops of the ridges to avoid any stream crossings. But with the European conquest and settlement, and nearly simultaneous start of road-building, it was not long before stream fording was replaced by the first simple bridges in the area. In fact, commenting on the British General Braddock’s march to the Point in 1755, Colonel George Washington remarked: “instead of pushing on with vigor…they were halting to level every mole-hill and to erect bridges over every brook, by which means we were four days in getting twelve miles.”

Mount Washington, formerly Coal Hill, rises over 400 feet above the Monongahela River opposite downtown Pittsburgh. This and other ridges and hills were once tunneled into for coal. Now they are tunneled through for transportation.

Have a great week and keep me in the loop if you need anyone prequalified or if you need customized cost sheets for your listings. I can be reached at 412.606.6701.

JERRY POUNDS
CHASE HOME LOANS
412.606.6701