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Trick or Treat Times – Heartland Homes Communities
October 19, 2011 by SJackson
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Amherst Village – Adams Township – October 31, 6-8 PM

Beechwood – Bethel Park – October 31, 6-8 PM

Berringer Court – Moon Township – October 31, 6:30-8 PM

Briarwood – Franklin Park – October 31, 6-8 PM

Brookfield Manor – Bethel Park/ South Park – October 31, 6-8 PM

Cameron Estates – South Strabane – October 31, 5:30-7 PM

Chadwick Estates – Peters Township – October 31, 6-8 PM

Concord Green – North Strabane – October 31, 6-8 PM

Edgewater – Oakmont – October 31, 6-8 PM

Fayette Farms – North Fayette – October 31, 6-8 PM

Franklin Run – Franklin Park – October 31, 6-8 PM

Heartwood Farms – Cecil Township – October 31, 6-7:30 PM

Heritage Estates – Ohio Township – October 31, 6-8 PM

Hiddenbrook – Peters Township – October 31, 6-8 PM

Legacy Village – Sewickley – October 31, 6-8 PM

Meadow Ridge – Forward Township - October 31, 5-8 PM

Morning Grove – Adams Township – October 31, 6-8 PM

Myoma Woods – Adams Township – October 31, 6-8 PM

Mystic Ridge – Cranberry Township – October 31, 6-8 PM

Neville Manor – Collier Township – October 31, 6-8 PM

Newbury - South Fayette – October 31, 6-8 PM

Northtowne Estates – Marshall Township – October 31, 6-8 PM (Parade Oct. 29th 1PM)

Oakbrooke Estates – Cecil Township – October 31, 6-7:30 PM

Orchard Park – Cranberry Township – October 31, 6-8 PM

Parkview Estates – Richland Township – October 31, 6-8 PM

Pinecrest – Pine Township – October 31, 6-8 PM (Parade Oct. 28 – 6-8 PM)

Providence Point – Marshall Township – October 31, 6-8 PM (Parade Oct. 29 – 1PM)

Sonoma Ridge – Moon Township – October 31, 6:30-8 PM

Stonecrest – Pine Township – October 31, 6-8 PM (Parade Oct. 28 – 6-8 PM)

The Summit at Cheat Lake – Morgantown – October 31, 6-7:30 PM

The Village at Sweetwater – Sewickley – October 31, 6-8 PM

Trotwood Acres – Robinson Township – October 31, 6-8 PM

Walnut Ridge – Nottingham Township – October 31, 6-8 PM

Weavertown Village – North Strabane – October 31, 6-8 PM

Willowbrook – South Fayette – October 31, 6-8 PM

Category: Community, Miscellaneous
Tags: Adams Township Homes, Bethel Park Homes, Canonsburg Homes, Cecil Township Homes, Collier Township Homes, Cranberry Township Homes, Forward Township Homes, Franklin Park Homes, Marshall Township Homes, Moon Township Homes, Morgantown Homes, North Fayette Homes, North Strabane Township Homes, Nottingham Township Homes, Oakmont Homes, Peters Township Homes, Pine Township Homes, Richland Township Homes, Robinson Township Homes, Sewickley Homes, South Fayette Homes, South Park Homes, South Strabane Homes, Upper St. Clair Homes, Whitehall Homes
The Tortoise and The Hare: The Battle of the Builders
July 19, 2011 by SJackson
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There once were two homebuilders in the city with three rivers. Each in a race to become the very Best of the ‘Burgh. Both builders strive to be top dog in the Iron City, but each having their own philosophy of how to become number one.

The first home builder has been building homes for many years, as fast as he could and at the most rapid of paces. Throwing up houses as fast as hare-manly possible, each house the same, side by side, side by side, each house the same. Sale by Sale, Side by Side, Sale by Sale. The Hare’s philosophy was to build a house with limited options so that you can sell them, build them, and leave them as fast as possible. Sell them, build them, leave them, and then on to the next one. Dropping cookie cutter houses in cookie cutter communities, like litter on the side of the highway.

The Hare thought that the best builder was the one who built the most houses each year. Minimum attention to quality and detail, the Hare built 4-walled cookie-cutter boxes quickly and carelessly. Swiftly putting up houses on cheap land and cramming as many as possible into each community. “I built the most houses”, says the Hare “Therefore, I am the best in the city” “No one can build as many houses as I can!”

The Hare’s ignorant remarks did hold some truth, no one could build as many houses as the Hare, but the Tortoise believed that truly earning the title, Best of the Burgh meant much more than just building homes as fast as you can. The Tortoise believed that becoming the best meant building the best homes.

The Tortoise believed in building the most energy efficient home, each and every time. Homes that saved owners money by being more efficient and not only complying with ENERGY Star Guidelines, but by completely exceeding them.

The Tortoise understood that the great people that lived in his city did not want a cookie cutter box thrown on some land in some township. He actually went into the community and asked people what they really wanted. He learned that the people wanted homes, not house, that they could design themselves. Dream Homes with limitless options and the ability to change the size of a room, add a front porch, choose the brick color, paint color, and even the smallest of details like hardware in the kitchen or location of an electrical outlet in the bedroom.

The people wanted beautiful homes with big useable yards. Private cul-de-sac streets, private wooded homesites, and homes in convenient locations with access to major roadways and in the best school districts! The Tortoise also learned that all homeowners are not the same. Some people wanted two story castles, others a low maintenance townhome, or a single level home with a first floor master. Not everyone wants a cookie cutter box! And no one should ever have to decide between Cookie Cutter House A and Cookie Cutter House B.

So as the years pass, the Tortoise and the Hare continue building houses the only way they know how. Year after year, the Hare sells more houses than the Tortoise, but the Tortoise continues to build quality homes with only the best products, producing ENERGY Star ratings far greater than the Hare’s houses. The school districts that the Tortoise builds in continue to capture national recognition. And generally speaking are more satisfied with their custom built homes.

As this tale continues as to whom is the better home builder, let us leave you with some facts. The Hare is continuing its hairy ways of building homes. SELLING more homes than the Tortoise. But, the Tortoise has slowly but surely grabbing the attention of its beloved city, not only winning more than 30 awards for its skillfully designed floorplans, communities, quality and green practices, but the Tortoise has been named THE BEST OF THE BURGH by the Pittsburgh Magazine for the past two years consecutively.

Time will tell who will win the race for 1^st place, or you can just ask one of the Tortoise’s homeowners. (Most of them once lived in one of the Hare’s houses)

LITTLE KNOWN FACT: The Tortoise is a figurative term. The Tortoise in our story is not slow at all. His efficiency allows him to complete a house, on average, in less than 5 months.

Category: About Heartland, Miscellaneous, Pittsburgh
Thanksgiving Recipes from Our Home to Yours
November 17, 2010 by SJackson
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Nearly 600 Heartland Home Owners will have their very First Thanksgiving in their new home this year, and because we know how special this day will be, we have compiled a list of our favorite recipes so that you can spend more time with your family and less time stressing over dinner.

Dream It! BIRD It! Love It! (Turkey)
- 1 (18 pound) whole turkey
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 1/2 quarts turkey stock
- 8 cups prepared stuffing
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Place rack in the lowest position of the oven.
2. Remove the turkey neck and giblets, rinse the turkey, and pat dry with paper towels. Place the turkey, breast side up, on a rack in the roasting pan. Loosely fill the body cavity with stuffing. Rub the skin with the softened butter, and season with salt and pepper. Position an aluminum foil tent over the turkey.
3. Place turkey in the oven, and pour 2 cups turkey stock into the bottom of the roasting pan. Baste all over every 30 minutes with the juices on the bottom of the pan. Whenever the drippings evaporate, add stock to moisten them, about 1 to 2 cups at a time. Remove aluminum foil after 2 1/2 hours. Roast until a meat thermometer inserted in the meaty part of the thigh reads 180 degrees F (80 degrees C), about 4 hours.
4. Transfer the turkey to a large serving platter, and let it stand for at least 20 to 30 minutes before carving.
Yummy Yinzer Sweet Potato Casserole
4 cups sweet potato, cubed
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Put sweet potatoes in a medium saucepan with water to cover. Cook over medium high heat until tender; drain and mash.
In a large bowl, mix together the sweet potatoes, sugar, eggs, salt, butter, milk and vanilla. Mix until smooth. Transfer to a 9×13 inch baking dish.
In medium bowl, mix the sugar and flour. Cut in the butter until the mixture is coarse. Stir in the pecans. Sprinkle the mixture over the sweet potato mixture.
Bake in the preheated oven 30 minutes, or until the topping is lightly brown.

Going Green Bean Casserole

2 (10.75 ounce) cans Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup or Campbell’s Condensed 98% Fat Free Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 cup milk
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
8 cups cooked cut green beans
2 2/3 cups French’s French Fried Onions

Directions

Stir soup, milk, soy sauce, pepper, beans and 1 1/3 cups onions in 3-qt. casserole.
Place in your energy efficient, ENERGY Star partnered oven and Bake at 350 degrees F. for 25 min. or until hot. Stir.
Top with remaining onions. Bake for 5 min. more.

Pittsburgh Pumpkin Pie

1 (9 inch) unbaked deep dish pie crust
3/4 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 eggs
1 (15 ounce) can LIBBY’S 100% Pure Pumpkin
1 (12 fluid ounce) can NESTLE CARNATION Evaporated Milk

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Combine sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger and cloves in small bowl. Beat eggs lightly in large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk. Pour into pie shell.
Bake for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees F.; bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate. (Do not freeze as this will cause the crust to separate from the filling.)

Category: Miscellaneous

We are Heartland Homes and We Approve this Message

November 2, 2010 by SJackson

On November 2^nd Vote for America! Heartland Homes is a native Pittsburgher. Born and raised in the South Hills, Heartland Homes has provided jobs for thousands of local workers, provided thousands of homes to local families and most importantly Heartland Homes stands behind its experience since 1984. Working diligently and conscientiously for local families.

Our competitors have often fled town when the going gets tough. Picking up and moving to Ohio, New York, California, but not Heartland Homes. Heartland stays local and understands that when to going gets tough, the tough makes changes, adapt, and gives the people what they need. So on November 2^nd, 2010 go to your designated voting station, and Vote for Quality, Vote for Heartland, and Vote for America!

My name is Heartland Homes and I approve this message.

Category: Miscellaneous

Largest Home in the World

October 29, 2010 by SJackson

Towering over Mumbai, India’s “City of Dreams” this 27-Story House is now the largest home in the world. Taking over 7 years to build and worth an estimated, (insert Doctor Evil Voice) one BILLION dollars

Best known as Antilia, named after the mythical island in the Atlantic, this 400,000 square foot tower overlooking India’s cosmopolitan city has set the new standard in luxury living.

So what kind of luxurious features does a one BILLION dollar tower include? Let’s take a look at the numbers:

Let’s start with the garage. Antilia’s first 6 levels are PARKING! Large enough to hold more than 160 cars and believed to have a private BMW service station on the 7^th level.

Atop this 27-story high-rise are 3 Helipads! You know, just in case the first two are occupied.

Since it would take an hour to climb to the top of this home, residents will enjoy the convenient luxury of 9 Elevators. Private elevators for the family, (more…)

Category: Friday, Miscellaneous

Goldilocks and The 3 Builders (4 of 4)

October 25, 2010 by SJackson

Goldilocks’ Visit to Heartland Homes

Goldilocks woke up Sunday morning and was still a little concerned after her meeting with Big Builder Homes. Her first impression of the new homes was favorable compared to a preexisting home, but Goldilocks couldn’t help to feel that there was another builder that would make buying a new home feel just right.

Goldilocks brushed out her golden hair, threw on her best dress and headed out the door of her stenchy apartment building. Goldilocks finally hit a wall: tired of fighting for a parking spot on rainy days, tired of waiting on maintenance men to fix a simple repair, tired of stained white walls, tired of water marked spots on the ceiling, tired of noise, tired of smells, tired or RENTING!! Goldilocks was eager to put the days of renting and landlords behind her and become a real life home owner.

Goldilocks had a 3 o’clock appointment at Franklin Run, a Heartland Homes community in Franklin Park. As she pulled into the neighborhood, everything started to feel just right. Big beautiful houses, large lot sizes, wooded homesites and a community that was just as charming as Goldilocks herself. Goldilocks was a little early for her appointment with Angela the Community Manager, so she decided to drive around the neighborhood, before she headed to the model home for her appointment and personal tour

The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and the neighbors were very friendly as they waved at Goldilocks as they walked by on the community sidewalks. Goldilocks was so taken by this charming neighborhood that she had to take a picture of this community on her Blackberry!

See Goldilocks’ Cell Phone Picture

Quickly falling for this community, Goldilocks practically ran into the model ready to buy a new home! Pulling out her Must Haves and Would Be Nice List, Goldilocks went to work, firing questions at Angela.

Angela and Goldilocks had an actual conversation and went over each item on Goldilocks’ List. There were no gimmicks or promotional plug-ins, just real needs and wants and selections that satisfied them Angela learned about Goldilocks inspirations and after going over the entire list twice, the two of them found the home that felt Just Right!

One week later, Goldilocks bought the last cul de sac homesite at Franklin Run and built The Virginian with an attached garage. Goldilocks was so happy with her new home that she expressed her love for Heartland Homes in a typed testimonial.

Goldilocks’ Testimonial

Goldilocks may have just been a character in our tale, but her story is very real. At Heartland Homes we meet a real life Goldilocks every single day. Everyone has unique inspirations for leaving there current situation. Whether it is relocating from another city, moving into a bigger house, or owning a home for the very first time, everyone has needs. But not every builder listens to these needs, and if they do, they might be unable to do anything for you. So if you are on the market from another city, expecting an addition to your family and need more space, or have hit a wall with renting, stop by any of our Heartland Homes’ Communities or call our New Home Specialist, and we would be more than happy to hear your needs and get you on your way towards Heartland Home Ownership!

Click here to read Part 1 of 4 – The Introduction

Click here to read Part 2 of 4 – The Used Home

Click here to read Part 3 of 4 – The BIG Builder

Category: Miscellaneous

Goldilocks and The 3 Builders (3 of 4)

October 22, 2010 by SJackson

Goldilocks and The 3 Builders: HI, Welcome to Big Builder Homes

Later that afternoon, Goldilocks was scheduled to meet with Big Builder Homes in one of their neighborhoods in the South Hills. Remembering that Big Builder Homes has difficult hours, Goldilocks jumped in her car and followed her realtor out of the neighborhood. Goldilocks was once again reminded of the plastic toys scattered amongst the broken down cars and 40-foot weeds, as she said goodbye to her first option, the used home. Still dreaming to find the home that would feel just right, Goldilocks drove off to “Majestic Meadows”

Goldilocks was greeted to balloons, large promotional banners and enormous “Welcome to Your Next Home” signs as she pulled into the big builder’s community. The houses were huge, the neighborhood looked safe, and Goldilocks could already see that this was a much better option than the used home she had just visited.

As Goldilocks’ entered the model home, she was immediately greeted by an overly exuberant sales person that seemed as if she had just drank 3 pots of coffee! “Hi, Welcome to Big Builder Homes’, I’m STACEY, How are YOU? What’s Your NAME? COME look through our MODEL!! WANT to HEAR about our FREE Granite promotion?”

Goldilocks was a little taken back by the overly caffeinated and rehearsed script that the sales person just shouted. Still impressed by the first look at the house Goldilocks agreed to take a tour.

As Goldilocks continued looking through the house, she was bombarded with even more promotional incentives. Every time Goldilocks entered a room, Stacey would announce another free upgrade. Free Granite in the Kitchen! Free Carpet Upgrade in the Family Room! Free This! Free That!

Goldilocks was beginning to get the feeling that something wasn’t right. Goldilocks was beginning to think that the quality of Big Builder Homes was not as accurate as she originally thought. Big Builder Homes was beginning to feel like Big Bargain Homes.

“What comes standard in the home? What exactly is the standard home? These houses are very nice, but how can they afford to just give away free upgrades? And if I sign this month, what I am going to miss out next month?” she thought

Goldilocks began to think that something didn’t feel just right about this builder. The sales people are friendly, a little pushy on their promotions, but the homes arevery nice looking but something just doesn’t make sense. Why are they so cheap? There is something going on here that does not feel just right.

Knowing that she still had another appointment with Heartland Homes the next day, Goldilocks decided to wait before committing to one of Big Builder Homes’ enticing promotions.

Click here to read Part 1 of 4 – The Introduction

Click here to read Part 2 of 4 – The Used Home

Click here to read Part 4 of 4 – Just Right!

Category: Miscellaneous

Goldilocks and The 3 Builders (2 of 4)

October 21, 2010 by SJackson

Goldilocks and The 3 Builders: The Used Home

Heartland Homes: The Adventures of Goldilocks Goldilocks was very happy to wake on Saturday morning to a phone call from here agent confirming that they would visit the home in Carnegie together. Goldilocks excited that this would be the day that she might be an actual home owner, brushed her long golden locks, put on her best outfit and made her way to Carnegie.

Goldilocks followed her directions to get to the house, but the neighborhood that she drove through to get to there did not feel right. Each home uniquely different from its neighbor, some with plastic toys thrown around the yard, another with a broken down car, and lastly what would be her next door neighbor had weeds so high that she thought the owners either went bear watching in Wyoming for a month, or simply haven’t mowed their lawn since their previous neighbors left with the mower that they had always borrowed. The house that Goldilocks was touring was definitely the nicest home on the block, but that wasn’t saying much.

The Agent punched the pin number into the lock box, retrieved the key and opened the door for Goldilocks. Goldilocks walked into a lovely open foyer with hardwood floors, a plush carpeted staircase leading to the upstairs, but after Goldilocks wiped here feet on the doormat she had began to shiver. “This home is too cold” said Goldilocks. The agent quickly went looking for the thermostat, but found none. A plug-in space heater and fireplace were the only heat sources for this cozy home at the end of the road.

Goldilocks shivered as she toured the home but actually started to see herself in this home. She loved the open layout and flow of the first floor, the nine foot ceilings, and Goldilocks absolutely fell in love with luxurious master bathroom. But as Goldilocks toured the rest of the house she also began to realize that home ownership would be a lot of work.

Goldilocks would have to repaint most of the rooms, repair the drywall in many locations, and she would definitely have to replace the scratched, screechy, and stinky kitchen appliances. Not to mention Goldilocks would have to find a more efficient way to heat here home so that it would feel just right.

Click here to read Part 1 of 4 – The Introduction

Click here to read Part 3 of 4 – The BIG Builder

Click here to read Part 4 of 4 – Just Right!

Category: Miscellaneous

Goldilocks and The 3 Builders (1 of 4)

October 20, 2010 by SJackson

Goldilocks and The 3 Builders: Introduction to Goldilocks

Goldilocks and The 3 Home Builders Goldilocks was a young woman in the market to buy here first home. Goldilocks has jumped from apartment to apartment ever since her college days and Goldilocks realized that it was finally the time to find something more permanent in her life. Tired of Landlords, noisy neighbors, and waiting weeks to have items in her 1960’s apartment repaired, Goldilocks was ready for the title of Home Owner!

Although Goldilocks was excited to be a new home owner, she had no idea where to begin! Overwhelmed and unsure of her options, Goldilocks browsed the web to find the best Real Estate Agent. After making some calls and doing a little bit of research she found the most renowned agent in the area! Confident that her agent would find what she was looking, Goldilocks was feeling confident about her move towards home ownership.

Goldilocks’ agent suggest that she come up with a list of home features of items that would be nice to have, and features in her ideal home that are a must have. Excited to finally find her dream home and leave her stagnant smelling apartment behind forever Goldilocks grabbed her Pink Pen and went to work!

View Goldilocks’ Must Haves and Would Be Nice List

Goldilocks’ Agent took this list and immediately started looking for the perfect house for Goldilocks. She scheduled three Open Houses for Goldilocks for that following weekend. One with a preexisting home in Carnegie, another appointment with the “Big Builder”, and Goldilocks’ last appointment was with Heartland Homes the family-owned custom home builder.

Click here to read Part 2 of 4 – The Used Home

Click here to read Part 3 of 4 – The BIG Builder

Click here to read Part 4 of 4 – Just Right!

Category: Miscellaneous

Happy Labor Day

September 6, 2010 by SJackson

Heartland Homes would like to wish you a happy Labor Day. We hope that you enjoy time with your family and that all of your travels are safe this weekend.

Category: Miscellaneous

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Latest Pins on Pinterest

Miscellaneous

Trick or Treat Times – Heartland Homes Communities

The Tortoise and The Hare: The Battle of the Builders

Thanksgiving Recipes from Our Home to Yours

Dream It! BIRD It! Love It! (Turkey)

Yummy Yinzer Sweet Potato Casserole

Directions

Going Green Bean Casserole

Pittsburgh Pumpkin Pie

Directions

We are Heartland Homes and We Approve this Message

Largest Home in the World

Goldilocks and The 3 Builders (4 of 4)

Goldilocks’ Visit to Heartland Homes

Goldilocks and The 3 Builders (3 of 4)

Goldilocks and The 3 Builders: HI, Welcome to Big Builder Homes

Goldilocks and The 3 Builders (2 of 4)

Goldilocks and The 3 Builders: The Used Home

Goldilocks and The 3 Builders (1 of 4)

Goldilocks and The 3 Builders: Introduction to Goldilocks

Happy Labor Day