Category Archives: Neighborhoods

Day in the Life of a Realtor: Preamble

T’was nine years ago when I stood on the porch of my home on a calm morn awaiting the moving truck. I was alone, scared, teary-eyed, and yes, alone. 29 Priscilla Lane had been my home for over 30 years. I raised my two sons there. That was the only place they ever knew to call ‘home.’ It was a beautiful retreat with over one acre.

And now it was time to let go, sell the home and move onward…

And so up the long driveway I heard footsteps…there appeared a slim man with gray hair. He drawled, “Lady, where w goin’?”

His name was Don. From that moment on he became a storyteller, a jokester, and endless monologue of life’s journeys.  The day was a whirlwind.

When we were all packed up I walked out the door and put the past behind. I know I will always have the memories but life moves forward. Houses and property are just that. We cannot get attached to structures.

Since that day I have had the pleasure of working with many clients, having Don move them. Some new stories, some edited monologues. Always a delight. Always refreshing.

Thank you, Don for having such great insight into the human spirit and your kind words.

The Look

It’s that first impression that strikes buyers. They walk in that door and either like it or hate it. That is why it is so important to make the first impression lasting.

As a seller’s agent I provide complimentary staging. As well as detailed itinerary of possible improvements, repairs to the home prior to listing.

Certainly the exterior, landscaping are a must in presentation. And there is nothing better than replacing door hardware. It’s not expensive and makes such a difference.

It wasn’t until about a year into selling real estate that I noticed the financial impact staging has on offers.

The spring market will be here before we know it. I am offering complimentary staging consults. Shoot me an email and together let’s get your home ready for the biggest selling season of the year!

The Vision

Folks looking to make the transition from their home to a new one must have a clear vision. As a seasoned real estate agent I can assist them in outlining that vision with a detailed path towards reaching their goal. The transition means getting their home on the market all while figuring out where it is they would like to be in the future.

I am working with a woman who is looking to move to assisted living in Oakmont. After visiting, we chose a possible housing unit and now it’s time to start the listing process of her home.  I am working with another client who would like to downsize from the two story family home to a first floor master. We have outlined her goals and are working to make that happen. It’s an exciting time, sometimes scary, to not know the exact future. As I tell all my clients, never look back with regret. Always look forward to what the future may present.

Contact me today to discuss where your future vision is taking you.

Day in the Life of a Realtor: Chapter 45

As a sellers’ realtor, my job is more than putting numbers together, making homes look really really pretty to captivate the buyers’ eye. It is working with the client in achieving their end goal, that of selling their home with nice pricepoint and sending them off on their new journey in good spirits. Not as easy as it appears.

I work very diligently toward ensuring my sellers’ pursuits are met. Each client has a different story, a different perspective, and a different end game. It is knowing and translating those entities into tangible outcomes that make my job intense yet truly satisfying.

At the closing table I can look at them and know we have attained all those goals, and they are ready to move forward.  And that is my reason for being in this business. I so enjoy the satisfaction it brings.

As I stated it’s not easy. But at the end of the process I know that I have done my job, done it well, and onward to then next client.

I just sold home on Washington’s Landing for a very nice price. Those folks decided to build their dream home on the water in Oakmont. They did an outstanding job in designing it in every detail. The exuberance was definitely evident at the closing table. They are well on their way on their new adventure.

Please check out my blog for more stories now and yet to come.

Light UP Night In Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh comes alive tonight! Enjoy the views of the City! If you are new to the City please ask me for a personal tour around the area. Lunch and/or dinner included.
I have lived in Pittsburgh most of my life. As a relocation specialist for over nine years I am familiar with each and every neighborhood.  I’m happy to also make arrangements for your stay.
Pittsburgh is one place special. With the rivers and trails, Cultural District, urban development you will find a City truly in transition. Enjoy the outdoors with boating, the arts with Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Opera, CLO, and the many culinary speciality restaurants in and around the town. Just a wonderful flavor of the old and the new.
Enjoy our City at its finest!

New Listing: 24 Overlook Court, Pittsburgh, Pa 15222

Check out my newest listing on Washington’s Landing. For those of you new to Pittsburgh, Washington’s Landing is an island in the City surrounded by water. On one side the Allegheny River and the other side the channel which I refer to as the ‘Intercoastal.’ Its Pittsburgh’s best kept secret. Just like living at a resort yet two minutes to Downtown Pittsburgh via kayak, yacht, bicycle, or car. Enjoy walking trails around Washington’s Landing, onsite marina, Three Rivers Rowing, RedFin Blues Restaurant.

24 Overlook Court is four bedroom townhouse situated along the Allegheny River. With two private decks you may enjoy views of the water, the marina, and walking trails. Open floor plan on first floor with gas log fireplace. Master bedroom ensuite with luxurious walk-in shower as well as walk-in closet. Third floor suite with private deck and full bath. Low maintenance fees of just $310/month include exterior, roof, greenspace, snow removal. Just another day at the beach!

You are cordially invited to my open house this Sunday, March 15th 1-4 to see!

Atlanta Connection Finds Their Forever Home

Hello Friends! I received this beautiful message today from a couple of my favorite clients. Tiffany & Jamie are really special people to me. I met them last winter in a bluster of icy-cold, stormy weather. We took a magical mystery tour of the City, ala snow boots, with ‘heal toe’ footwork, so as not to break our necks. They became part of my family and now refer to my mother as ‘Grandma.’ I love them dearly. It’s folks like Tiffany & Jamie that make my ‘job’ a dream come true! As the fall air is turning crisp, I want you to know that my business doesn’t stop, just because the weather conditions aren’t ideal. Please take a minute and read what my clients have to say, about working with me.

“Maggie Jayson is simply the best. I emailed her about a home in Rosslyn Farms that we fell in love with via Realtor.com. She responded almost immediately. After three months of emailing with Maggie we were finally ready to house hunt. I asked her if she would be our agent, regardless of the original house I contacted her about. She said she would, but that the original home had just gone under contract two days prior. We were going to be relocated here from Atlanta, for my husband’s job. We would be in town for 4 days and I had never even seen the city. Maggie planned for us to see as much of Pittsburgh as possible. She wanted us to get a feel for the city, and what it has to offer. We toured Sewickley, Mt. Lebanon, Oakmont and everywhere in-between. In three days, we saw over 25 homes! At the end of our trip, we put an offer on a 110 year old Victorian in Oakmont. We call it ‘our forever home.’ We couldn’t have picked a better realtor. Maggie went above and beyond for us. She even had snow boots and socks in her car, in case I needed them. We came from the South, after all. Her attention to detail and love of being a realtor shows in everything she does. She took such care with us through the process and continues to do so even after we moved in. She will always be a part of our lives — a dear friend. She truly is simply the best! – Tiffany St. John | Oakmont, Pa

Thank you for reading. Check out my latest listings here. And remember I’m yours in gettin’ it SOLD!

Love at First Sight

I specialize in creating an atmosphere of warmth & charm when I list & stage a home. Most buyers have a sense about the house when they first walk in the door. So it is of utmost importance to provide an aura of “I love this house!” Using all the senses from visually stimulating artwork to the aroma of the apple pie baking in the oven to soft classical music playing in the background enhances the home.
1204 Powers Run Road, O'Hara Twp.
1204 Powers Run Road, O’Hara Twp.
I recently listed and staged 1204 Powers Run Road, a sweet Cape Cod in O’Hara Township. I planted pink impatience along the sidewalk intermingled with hosta. I also placed two large-potted spring mix of flowers on the porch. Just inside the entry way was a wood seat. I enlisted my sister to upholster a pink & green striped growgrain custom cushion, then placed it on the wood bench and adorned it with my mother’s sun hat. I selected a mahogany framed print of colorful flowers from my staging inventory. These simple little vignettes gave a soft and charming presence to the home. The buyer loved the soft personal touches of the home. She made a full priced offer!
1204 Powers Run Road, O'Hara Twp.
1204 Powers Run Road, O’Hara Twp.
Special credit to my talented sister Betsy Tassaro and my stay-out-of-sun fair skinned 94 year young mother, Mary Sterrett.
1204 Powers Run Road, O'Hara Twp.
1204 Powers Run Road, O’Hara Twp.
Staging makes such a difference in getting that sale. I provide this service as a courtesy to my clients. This is actually one of my most favorite parts of selling real estate. I work on it meticulously until I am happy with the ‘look’.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Yours in gettin’ it sold!
~Maggie