About Elise Bickel

1.) Conventional Mortgages The type of home loan that is not secured by a federal government is called a conventional mortgage. Conforming and non-conforming loans are the two kinds of conventional loans. The loan amount that lies within the jurisdiction of the FHFA (Federal Housing Finance Agency) is a conforming loan. And, the other kinds of mortgage loans failing to meet the guidelines set by the FHFA are non-conforming loans. The most popular non-conforming loans are the Jumbo loans. Also, they represent bigger mortgages above the limitation of the FHFA set for individual counties. Lenders, in general, need to pay for PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance) when applying for a conventional...

Check out this awesome project happening in the  Hazelwood community Hazelwood - a community once dependent on the Monongahela River is returning back to what led this neighborhood to its peak in the 1970s. Among other riverfront neighborhoods scattered around the city, steel production was a prominent economic role in the growth of the Mon Valley. During the peak of this neighborhood, a boasting population of 13,000 or more scattered the streets, which has now dwindled to below 6,000 after the crash of steel production in the city. Long after these mills have closed, their massive structures still stand. Paying homage to the rich history of this community, Almono &...

Welcome to the EBG Open House Podcast Take a seat and talk with us about all things real estate! Our podcast aims to provide valuable information for those interested in the real estate and business industries in Pittsburgh, PA and beyond! This month's special guest is Doug Raible, a local Pittsburgh investor with an extensive background in finance. Doug will be sitting down with EBG's own investment specialist, Austin Daniel, as they discuss Doug's personal experiences in the industry, as well as overall investment strategy, development in the city of Pittsburgh, and more! For more information on Doug's ongoing projects and previous accomplishments, click the links below! Doug's Website: https://www.thepittsburghinvestor.com/...

Historic Interior Elements Historic Home Interior Elements When you have a older or historic home, you will find many architectural and interior design elements that give your house its personality. These architectural elements are worth maintaining and even accentuating in your decorating. Bathroom Tiles In some historic or old homes, you might find some 20th Century tile in your bathroom. The oldest you might find would be classic white tile. These were from a time where the idea that dirt harbored germs. Therefore, if you were able to clearly see the dirt, that meant you could easily clean the bathroom. In later years you would find more Art Deco inspired...

Whether you're selling your home or just want to make some easy improvements on the exterior of your home, having good curb appeal is like having good manners - they both go a long way when it comes to first impressions! Home improvements can be daunting - that's why we've put together a list of "10 Easy Ways to Improve your Home's Curb Appeal," so get outside, throw some tunes on, and don't forget to stay hydrated!   1.) Replace old hardware with new Starting off our list, replacing old hardware with new is one of the easiest things you can do to spruce up the curb appeal of your...

EBG Properties · EBG Open House Podcast EP 1: Investment & First-Time Home Buying Introducing the EBG Open House Podcast Dive into the world of real estate with Norge Borio and Stephen Long as we touch on their personal experiences as well as other hot topics in the real estate industry such as wholesale, first-time home buying, and overall investment insight! Whether he's informing the consumer or mentoring aspiring minds, Stephen takes pride in sharing the knowledge he's gained through the real estate industry. "A lot of times in my situation with investing, I'm helping people out that are stuck with a problem they don't have a solution for, so...

As the world around us continues to grow hotter and more dangerous due to the effects of climate change, many people are opting for more eco-friendly lifestyles. You’ve likely seen these types of people on social media. You know, those people who build beautiful homes using sustainable practices, adopt a zero-waste lifestyle, or minimize their lives to fit inside a home no bigger than a shipping container. While all of these practices are great for the environment, they’re just not realistic for a lot of people. The cool part about living a more sustainable life is that it’s more of a journey than a destination. Completely changing what you’ve come...

When it comes to managing your financial life, stability and independence are two of the most important considerations. Choosing your path towards those goals can be filled with tempting short cuts and too-good-to-be-true guarantees that all too often end up costing more than just peace of mind. So how do you know which route to choose? Austin Daniel, investment advisor and a member of the EBG Properties sales team discusses some of the unique opportunities and investing success stories that he’s seeing right now in Pittsburgh. Having lived in Pittsburgh his entire life, Austin has seen the city grow and change over the years. Students, young professionals, and growing families...

4 Things You Need to Know Before Buying a Historic Home While you’re searching for the perfect house for yourself, you may come across listings for older, historic homes for sale. These beautiful pieces of history are often located in beautiful neighborhoods in historic districts of cities and towns. However, there is some information you need to know before purchasing and living in a historic home. Renovations and Additions May Be Regulated or Limited Depending on local regulations and local historic preservation efforts and laws, you may be limited in how you can alter the look or layout of your new home. Pittsburgh has a variety of unique architecture that...

Welcome to Pittsburgh, PA - home of championship-winning sports teams, top-notch health care, and some of the most affordable living you can find in the United States. Here in Pittsburgh, there’s something for everyone! We believe appealing activities, restaurants, night life, and neighborhoods are easy to find, but it always helps to have a guide. Coming from a real estate collective that resides in Pittsburgh and pays close attention to cultural and developmental trends, we’ve put together some of the best information to give you a sneak peak of the Steel City. From chic, up-and-coming neighborhoods to prestigious food destinations, here are some of the top reasons Pittsburgh, PA could...