Archive for February, 2011
Old Meets New
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Perhaps no community better reflects the juxtaposition of old and new better than Chambersburg and its environs. It sits, unassumingly, just off of Interstate-81 in South Central Pennsylvania; and to most who drive through the region, they are blissfully unaware of the depth of history that makes up the foundation of this area.
The town’s roots stem back to 1730 and since then, it has played a pivotal role in everything from the Revolutionary War to the Underground Railroad while churning out some of the country’s most influential folks like Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Nellie Fox to abolitionist Joseph Winters. And while this region is proud of its heritage, it is not blind to the fact that those living there today like to enjoy their history among modern conveniences like Starbucks and Target. Read More→
Net-Zero Energy Home Paves the Way for Mainstream Energy Efficient Homes
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The Craftsman style house blends in with other homes in Cobblestone Estates, a trendy Ohio Township, PA, neighborhood. But the Best Practices Research Alliance (BPRA) Lab Home will never be accused of following the crowd. Built by S&A Homes in partnership with IBACOS, a Pittsburgh-based building sciences consulting firm, this net-zero energy home is expected to pave the way toward eradicating homeowner’s energy bills.
The four-bedroom home will serve as a life-sized laboratory over the next three years as experts monitor multiple HVAC systems and building practices. S&A Homes and IBACOS hope to prove that a family-friendly home that blends into a typical neighborhood can stand out in terms of energy usage and environmental friendliness. Read More→
Move Up, Not Out
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For those in the know, downtown State College is a tightly knit community made up of shops, restaurants, and of course, Penn State University. As the town continues to grow and expand, it is difficult to imagine purchasing an affordable, brand new home located just 2 miles down the bike path from Penn State.
However, such a place exists, in the form of S&A Homes’ Foxpointe community, located close the intersection of Route 26 (W. College Ave.) and Science Park Rd. Behind a wooded area lies an oasis for families who seek value, recreation and convenience all rolled into one. With brand new, ENERGY STAR™ homes starting from the $280,000s, it’s no wonder this community continues to be a perennial favorite among State College residents.
Bike paths, barbeque pits, volleyball courts, picnic areas, and two playgrounds are just some of the reasons residents call Foxpointe home. Because it is the only neighborhood in State College where homeowners can purchase a reasonably priced new home on large home sites and still maintain a 5-minute commute to Penn State, the community continues to appreciate in value, making it a good investment for those living there.
This weekend, you have the opportunity to experience what makes Foxpointe so special. Two open houses will be available to tour this Read More→
Lots for Sale, Bring Your Builder
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Today’s housing market with its low interest rates, abundant inventory and affordable prices is a new homebuyer’s dream. However, if you’ve been unsuccessful in selling your current home, you may feel as though you won’t be able to take advantage of today’s amazing deals. We have the solution for you. S&A Homes is offering finished, buildable lots in three great communities: Cedarbrook, North Ridge and Martin’s Ridge. So, you can buy your land now and build later. These lots are also perfect for buyers who are ready to begin the construction on their dream homes. Read More→
Making a Dream Home a Reality
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“This was the first time we built a home, and we had 13 months between the time we signed our contract and the time we closed, so we had a lot of questions. Everyone we dealt with was so welcoming, and they were always able to give us prompt and thorough answers. It really took any uncertainty out of an overwhelming process.
The great price and the beautiful location are what sold us, but the quality work and fantastic people we dealt with along the way arewhat would make us
recommend S&A. We never thought we’d be able to have a quality home like this one. Thanks S&A for making our dream home a reality!”
Beth Anne & Family – Pittsburgh, PA
New v. Used, the Benefits of New Construction
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Recently, the market has been inundated with foreclosures, fixer-uppers and older homes looking for a quick sale. Often, due to the distressed nature of these types of properties, buyers are able to purchase these homes at low prices. On the surface, this may seem like a great deal. However, when you take into consideration the upgrades and maintenance required of an older home, is it really a better deal than buying new construction?
Used Homes:
- More Maintenance: From a falling retaining wall to leaking pipes and old appliances, when you purchase a foreclosure or any older home, you’ll often find that there’s always something to fix.
- Less Storage Space: Older homes tend to have smaller closets, garages and storage space.
- Expensive Updates: In addition to HVAC systems, plumbing and electrical work, you’ll probably want to alter your home with trendy kitchen and bath updates. Eventually, the costs of all of these updates begin to add up. Read More→
Life is Full of “Firsts,” Here are Tips for Buying Your First Home
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Throughout life, we encounter some pretty amazing firsts: The excitement of our first steps, the butterflies during our first kiss and the nervousness of our first days of school mark memorable times in our lives. Your first home should evoke memories as special as these. Read More→
Super Bowl = Super Savings
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Who thinks Super Bowl is just about football? For those of you that think this upcoming Sunday is all about sports, you’re wrong. While Super Bowl may not have officially earned a title as a national holiday, it might as well be. Consider these fun facts:
- Only Thanksgiving trumps Super Bowl for amount of food consumed.
- 14,500 tons of chips and 8 million pounds of guacamole are consumed on Super Bowl Sunday.
- Super Bowl is the most watched television event in America with more than 100 million viewers.
- 95% of Americans watch the Super Bowl with friends or family.
- Antacid sales surge 20%, on average, the Monday after Super Bowl. Read More→
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