In the News

The Keystone State doesn’t quickly come to mind as a retirement location – the warmer climes of Florida, South Carolina and Arizona are at the top of the list – but new home builder Traditions of America has launched an effort to educate retirees and soon-to-be-retirees on how Pennsylvania fits not just into their lifestyles but also in their tax returns.

We're happy, and we know it.

Lancaster County took the top spot in a national poll that measured residents' satisfaction with their life, health, work and community.

Local residents had the highest rate of satisfaction in the nation in 2011, according to the Gallup Healthways Well-Being Index, beating out cities like Honolulu, San Francisco, Boston and Boulder.

The news spread like wildfire overnight, with local residents posting and sharing the results on Facebook and other social media sites.

Pittsburgh tops the small list of rust-belt cities that have cleaned up their acts, and it now ranks as a great place to live. One big change has been a dramatic drop in population - from 680,000 in 1950 to just over 300,000 today - that has transformed a once large industrial city into a smaller financial/high tech/health-care based economy.

Commercial to run on WFMZ-TV in February 2012.

Live TV Commercial running on WJLA in Washington DC February 2012

Nathan W. Jameson, director of operations for Traditions of America, a Pennsylvania builder of active-adult communities, says his company doesn’t compete against other builders for customers; it competes against its buyers’ existing homes.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is considered the “best mix of affordability and amenities”

Americans aged 62 and older had accumulated $3.19 trillion in home equity by the end of the third quarter of 2011, according to data recently released by the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA). During the same quarter, home equity increased by $46 billion, reflecting stabilization and improvement in home prices. The $3.19 trillion is the net result of a $4.2 trillion increase in aggregate senior housing values and a mortgage debt of $1.02 trillion.

If the thought of running for five miles straight makes you cringe, you’re not alone. 

For three women at Traditions of America at Silver Spring, a 55-and-over community in Silver Spring Twp., it certainly didn’t sound like a walk in the park. But when they decided to give running a try by training for an 8K race last year, they also discovered its health benefits.

Low Maintenance 55+ Living is Your Community's Best Kept Secret. Read More in this article from www.greaterpittsburghnewhome.com

Veros Real Estate Solutions (Veros), an industry leader in enterprise risk management and collateral valuation services, has announced the real estate market forecast for the 12-month period ending September 1, 2012.

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

With its gracious layout, the lovely Susquehanna River, and plentiful festivals and events, Harrisburg is a magnet for cyclists and pedestrians.

Harrisburg's 50,000 shade trees, 4.5-mile-long Riverfront Park and 20-mile greenbelt around the city showcase its modern skyline, lovely old cathedrals, elegant Capitol complex and well-maintained historic districts.

The surrounding Pennsylvania Dutch countryside, with its covered bridges, farms, restored mansions and rich Civil War history, is equally inviting.

Six four-year colleges in the area add musical events, drama — and youthful energy.

For a number of years, Bob and Sally Houser lived on Neville Island on the Ohio River and enjoyed their yard, dock and boat. The couple had completely remodeled their house, and were busy being fulltime homeowners.

A few years ago, they began to question whether they wanted to spend time tending flowers and mowing grass in the spring and summer and shoveling and blowing snow in the winter.

"The Steel City" has evolved from its rusty roots to become a cosmopolitan place that ranks among the most livable in the nation.

Your home may be worth more than you think!

2 of the Nation’s 10 most recession-proof cities:
Pittsburgh, PA
State College, PA
 

Your home may be worth more than you think!

 Where to Retire reveals “The Short List: 50 Best Master-Planned Communities in the United States” in the bimonthly magazine’s July/August issue on newsstands June 21. Retirees today have their sights set on a dynamic and fulfilling retirement lifestyle, seeking out communities with friendly neighbors and amenities to keep their minds and bodies active.  (Press release from Where to Retire Magazine.)
 

Traditions of America at Silver Spring, greater Harrisburg's leading 55 and over community, was named one of the "50 Best."

Pennsylvania NOW Magazine profiles Phil and Bridget Reemes, residents of Traditions of America at Silver Spring.  "The Reemes ...aren't alone in their inclination toward a community designed specifically with their age bracket in mind."

Seniors for Living blogger joins the party at a recent event and learns about both active adult communities and today's mature homebuyer.  She shares her insights in a post and invites your comments - why would you consider an active adult community like Traditions of America?

From the SeniorsForLiving.com Blog:

If you’re thinking of downsizing to a smaller home, making a transition to an active adult community, or looking for some other type of housing (many boomers/seniors are leaving the suburbs and moving into condos/townhomes in cities nationwide), there are things you can do to ensure a quick and successful sale.

Consider the advice offered here by Vincent Salvitti, a ReSale manager with Traditions Realty. (Traditions Realty is part of Traditions of America, a nationally-recognized developer of 55+ active adult communities.)

The housing market may seem like a deflated balloon around the country, but at least one area developer is flying high.

Sales at Traditions of America's five active adult communities across the state, including its Silver Spring Township development, have been going strong, according to company officials.

"We are bucking the trend," said J.B. Reilly, one of the principals behind Traditions of America. "We have a good operation and we're in the right part of the market."

A profile of Traditions of America at Mount Joy in the Lancaster Sunday News.

Traditions of America, the leader in 55+ Lifestyle Communities, announces today upcoming wellness events at each of its five communities throughout Pennsylvania. Events are scheduled to provide an exciting, informative day of educational, hands-on activities and resources to help attendees live better, happier, more balanced lives.

Traditions of America, Pennsylvania's leading builder of lifestyle communities for 55+ home buyers, was recently featured on the Lehigh Valley's "Tempo" television news magazine, part of programming for Lehigh Valley PBS 39. J.B. Reilly, Managing Director for Traditions of America, delivered positive news for concerned home buyers.

Traditions of America residents moved from New York and New Jersey to escape high taxes and get a better value in their new homes. But they didn't give up rooting for the home team!