Blog Entries in December
What's with Ginger Bread Homes?
By Chris Petry As of this writing, the Federal Reserve has enacted its third interest rate of the fiscal quarter. These rate cuts coming after two years of steep increases. While rates will fall even more in 2025, current projections indicate it will be much more gradual and deliberate. No matter what, rate decreases will almost certainly be welcomed by the home buying public. While it
Holiday Cookies by State
By Chris Petry Last month, we reviewed Google’s state by state breakdown of the most popular Thanksgiving side dishes. For the Winter Holiday season, we thought we’d see what search analytics revealed about the most popular Christmas side dishes. Well, turns out that data’s not quite in yet. However, they did analyze the most popular Christmas Cookie search for each state. Whi
Winter Train Ride
By Chris Petry For today’s topic, let’s rewind the clock back to 1802. In Shropshire, England, on the Welsh border, inventor, engineer (and wrestler interestingly enough) Richard Trevithick, introduces the world’s first steam locomotive. It’s hard today to really explain the revelatory nature of that moment but suffice it to say, the world was forever changed. T
Hotels of Ice
By Chris Petry If you’re ever in Quebec City between January and March, you can book a room at North America’s premier and, until 2012, only ice hotel. What is an ice hotel, you ask? No need to overthink it. It’s literally a hotel made of ice. Which is why bookings are only guaranteed within the aforementioned three-month period where temperatures and precipitation permit its
A Look Back at 2023
by Chris Petry Well, that’s a wrap on 2023! Oh, and what a year it was! Just in case you forgot, here are some of the major news stories that broke over the last twelve months: The Israeli/Hamas War. A Norfolk Southern train derails in East Palestine, OH and burns for two days, releasing hazardous chemicals into the local air and water. The Silicon Valley Bank i
Winter Holiday Dinner Favorites
by Chris Petry Christmas is only five days away. At this point, you’ve probably finished your shopping and if you haven’t, you’re in full bore panic mode, running around like a chipmunk in a peanut factory. By now, you’ve most assuredly secured the main course for Christmas dinner. Whether that be a turkey, ham, beef tenderloin, or something slightly more adventurous if
Number 1 Most Affordable Market in the US
by Chris Petry There are many advantages to working for or working with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred and Stouffer Realty to achieve your real estate goals. For one, we’re the #1 brokerage in all of Southwestern, Pennsylvania and our presence in Eastern, Ohio grows and strengthens by the day. There’s also this: you’ve heard the phrase, “location, location
Winter by Train
by Chris Petry For today’s topic, let’s rewind the clock back to 1802. In Shropshire, England, on the Welsh border, inventor, engineer (and wrestler interestingly enough) Richard Trevithick, introduces the world’s first steam locomotive. It’s hard today to really explain the revelatory nature of that moment but suffice it to say, the world was forever changed. T
Holiday Film Favorites
by Chris Petry Sing it with me, “It’s the most wonderful time of the yeeeeeeeeaaarrr!” Yes, the winter holiday season is upon us. It’s time to grate the nutmeg, hang the mistletoe, decorate the tree, light the menorah, and promise yourself that come January 1st, you’re going to get your diet and finances back on track. Or, maybe not. Some of the time-honor
2023 Resolutions: Budgeting Your Money
If one of your New Year’s Resolutions is to get a hold of your finances, now is a good time to check in and make sure you are on the right track to tackle your budget. Here are five tips on how to get ahead of your money-saving goals for 2023. Have a Goal Having a budget goal is the number one thing that will help you track your finances. You will be much more lik
