Tag: cranberry

  • The Washington Model: Re-Envisioned and Exuding Classic, Relaxed Charm at Traditions of America at Cranberry

    The Washington Model: Re-Envisioned and Exuding Classic, Relaxed Charm at Traditions of America at Cranberry

    Our all-new designer Model Homes made their debut at Traditions of America at Cranberry in a snowy mid-November and they were overwhelmingly well-received by all who toured them. The new floor plans, including the Washington, had been over a year in the making based on customer feedback, changing design trends, and recommendations from our Construction Managers. Staying up to date with our home designs is something very important to the entire Traditions of America team. We always want to create the best possible layouts for our residents, incorporating functionality and space optimization with aesthetically pleasing “flows” for how people really want to live.

    When our in-house architecture and design teams sat down to create the best possible Washington floor plan they could envision, some of the key updates included an enlarged Foyer with an impressive volume ceiling for receiving houseguests, a larger Kitchen and Nook for enhanced entertaining, windows in the Master Bath and Laundry to allow for more natural light, matching his and hers walk-in closets in the Master Suite, a larger Loft and third Bathroom for more comfortable quarters for overnight houseguests, and an optional overlook to the Foyer for a feeling of openness and visual interest.

    With a new and improved Washington floor plan, the next step was a fresh design approach to keep up with ever-changing design trends. For this all-important task, we brought in Lita Dirks & Co., the nationally-recognized, award-winning interior design firm based in Colorado. The result? A gorgeous and inspirational new Washington Model Home wrapped in exquisite design layers showcasing the very best features of this large, popular home. The Washington lends itself to the appealing Craftsman style, with wood columns prominently set on stone pillars at the home’s inviting and distinctive entrance.

    See for yourself in the stunning photo display:

    snowy model home
    Craftsman Style Looks Sensational on the Washington
    living room with shelves
    Sitting Area off Family Room/Kitchen
    light blue bedroom
    Sumptuous Master Bedroom
    clean bathroom
    Sleek Master Bath
    modern open floorpan
    Gorgeous Shot of the Great Room
    rustic dining room
    Dining Room

    And, so much more! Warm and inviting spaces abound in the Washington where there is something to please everyone: from the Steelers fan, to the wine bar enthusiast, to the grandkids!

    rec room with fireplace

    upstairs loft

    man cave

    bunk beds

    Photos are wonderful, but seeing this home in person is the best way to experience the rich design details. Visit Traditions of America at Cranberry today and take a tour. Prepare to be amazed!

  • Lancaster named the NUMBER ONE place to retire in the country by US News & World Report!

    Lancaster named the NUMBER ONE place to retire in the country by US News & World Report!

    US News & World Report unveiled 2019’s Best Places to Retire in the U.S. last week and, my oh my, Pennsylvania did well! Florida and Texas cities also ranked well, but our very own Pennsylvania holds the TOP spot with Lancaster receiving the highest honors. And, we are proud! Another feather in the cap goes to Pittsburgh for ranking as the FIFTH best place to retire in the country.

    Best places ranking logoLancaster, Pennsylvania, topped the list at No. 1 due to increases in housing affordability and the overall happiness of its residents. And, it’s no wonder. We hear all the time from our homeowners at our active adult community at East Petersburg that they simply LOVE where they live. And, that makes sense. Lititz is often warmly referred to as “America’s Coolest Small Town.” Editors at US News & World Report had this to say: “Lancaster offers a balance between natural and commercial spaces that residents appreciate. Expansive farms rub elbows with manicured suburbs, which lead right into the bustling city. A short drive can take one through each of these environments. Each area boasts its own unique groups of inhabitants: farmers, families, college students and young professionals. From close-knit church communities to the indie coffee shop scene, Lancaster holds something for everyone.”

    Fort Myers, Florida, jumped from No.15 to No. 2 due to increases in desirability and happiness scores. Sarasota, Florida, fell from No. 1 to No. 3 this year due to a decline in both overall happiness and desirability. Austin, Texas, jumped to No. 4 from No. 9 due to an increase in desirability, followed by Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, rounding out the top 5. Here is what the editors had to say about Pittsburgh: “Known by nicknames like Blitzburgh and Steel City, Pittsburgh is on the verge of greater heights. Emerging from a dying steel industry, Pittsburgh is earning another name: reinvention city. Since the steel mills closed in the 1980s, Pittsburgh feels cleaner and full of energy. Pittsburgh encompasses almost 2,000 acres of land in just its city parks, and offers county parks, state parks and riverfront parks to its residents.” Our residents at Cranberry, Summer Seat and Richland definitely reap the benefits of living so close to Pittsburgh, yet surrounded by natural, wooded areas and open space.

    The rankings offer a comprehensive evaluation of the country’s 100 largest metropolitan areas based on how well they meet Americans’ expectations for retirement, with measures including housing affordability, desirability, health care and overall happiness. “Deciding where to retire is a big decision,” says Emily Brandon, senior editor for Retirement at U.S. News. “The Best Places to Retire offers a way for future retirees to make a more informed decision based on what matters the most to them. Whether that be housing affordability, access to quality hospitals or the desirability of a place in general, the rankings offer a comprehensive list that can point people in the best direction for their needs.”

    This year, U.S. News increased the weight of the desirability metric from 10% to 15% as it provides a more balanced understanding of the opinions gathered through consumer surveys. Desirability is one of the six factors in the 2019 Best Places to Retire methodology that includes housing affordability, desirability, retiree taxes, the happiness index, job market and health care quality. These measures were selected and weighted-based on a public survey of pre-retirees (age 45-59) and retirement-age (age 60+) individuals across the U.S to find out what matters most when considering a place to retire. Data sources include the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as well as U.S. News rankings of the Best Hospitals.

    gold 1

    Here are the top ten:

    (1) Lancaster, PA, (2) Fort Myers, FL, (3) Sarasota, FL, (4) Austin, TX, (5) Pittsburgh, PA, (6) Grand Rapids, MI, (7) Nashville, TN, (8) San Antonio, TX, (9) Dallas-Forth Worth, TX and (10) Lakeland, FL. Another Pennsylvania city earning high marks was Allentown, PA in the Lehigh Valley coming in at number 18. The Lehigh Valley has been a long-time favorite area of Traditions of America, having completed several successful communities there with a new one on the way: Traditions of America at Green Pond in Bethlehem. Visit one of our communities today to see for yourself what the buzz is all about – you’ll be glad you did. And, get on the list to hear the latest news about Green Pond.

    Sources: BuilderOnline.com October 10, 2018 article and US News & World Report 2019 Best Places ranking

  • Stellar Debut for Traditions of America at Cranberry

    Stellar Debut for Traditions of America at Cranberry

    This past Sunday, Traditions of America hosted the Cranberry Buying Event, and suffice it to say, it was a smashing success! With 40 total reservations for a 102-lot community made in a single hour, it was abundantly clear that the Cranberry development is something special. Traditions of America at Cranberry is truly the best of both worlds – the site is perched atop a crest in a wooded, lush hillside and boasts unobstructed views of the breathtaking scenery below. On the other hand, hop in the car and two minutes down the road is instant access to shopping, dining, and a whole array of entertainment possibilities. Natural serenity paired with the bustling life of a metropolis – what more could you want!

    Two people posing for a photo and holding their drinks at a Traditions of America eventThe Buying Event kicked off with a short presentation featuring an awe-inspiring drone video which truly encapsulates the grandeur of the Cranberry site. The panoramic, birds-eye view was a hit with the crowd! However, the only way to really do the site justice is to see it first-hand. For the week leading up to the Buying Event, working around unprecedented rainfall, the Traditions of America staff conducted close to 100 Gator tours of the site. The Gator tours enabled customers to get an up-close look at the entire site – you can only glean so much from looking at a 2-D site plan or squinting up into the distance from the sales trailer below. Not only were the tours informative, but they were quite an adventure, as it was certainly hair-raising to see the massive bulldozers barrel by and to traverse the towering piles of soil that currently occupy the 48-acre parcel.

    People shaking hands at a traditions of America eventPeople shaking hands at a traditions of America event After showcasing a few more action shots from the Gator tours, including some renderings of Cranberry’s future Clubhouse and amenities, and explaining how Traditions of America will help future homeowners sell their existing home with Traditions Realty, the presentation shifted gears to the moment everyone was waiting for – the lottery drawing for lot selection! As the fish bowl with everyone’s name on folded cards was brought on stage, the anticipation and excitement in the room was palpable. The first lucky couple to be drawn from the bowl received an uproarious applause, as they made their way to the front of the room to place their glimmering golden sticker on the massive site map, claiming their future home site. True pioneers!

    People shaking hands at a traditions of America eventOver the next hour, as more names were called and more people selected their lots, the laughter and jubilance in the room continued to build, coming to a crescendo when forty, yes forty, lots were reserved by the end of the hour. Celebratory champagne and hors d’oeuvres were served, and it was truly heartwarming to see our future residents meeting their future neighbors. This successful Buying Event, while it does underscore Cranberry’s desirable location and attest to the hard work of our staff, on a deeper level signals the beginning of life-long friendships among the residents. We cannot wait to watch our pioneers experience the Live Better lifestyle at Traditions of America at Cranberry in the near future – won’t you join us?

  • Traditions of America at Cranberry – the latest and greatest Community coming to Pittsburgh’s North Hills!

    Traditions of America at Cranberry – the latest and greatest Community coming to Pittsburgh’s North Hills!

    Traditions of America is gearing up for its newest community! We are excited to announce the highly anticipated launch of Traditions of America at Cranberry in Pittsburgh’s bucolic North Hills. This is the first ever 55+ Community in Cranberry Township!

    Traditions of America at Cranberry will feature 102 Single Family, low-maintenance homes nestled on 48 acres of serene, rolling countryside. The location is minutes from Cranberry’s first-class shopping, recreation and medical services.

    Pittsburg Pirates stadium from aboveLocation, location, location: with interstate highways nearby, and the Pittsburgh International Airport and burgeoning arts, dining and sports scene of downtown Pittsburgh only a short drive away, Traditions of America at Cranberry is perfectly positioned for ease and convenience. Heading in to the city to see the Pirates or Steelers play couldn’t be easier!

    Traditions of America at Cranberry will showcase best-in-class architecture and the ability to create your DreamHome with our professional designers and renowned customization program. The 24/7 Clubhouse will feature a brand-new, state of the art design by KTGY Architecture. Among the highlights are a Fitness Center, Exercise Room, Sports Bar & Lounge, Business Center & Café, Seasonal, Heated Pool, and more!

    People toasting over the table during outdoor lunch

    The Clubhouse is the quintessential setting for forging new friendships, exploring new hobbies, getting in shape or hosting a party for friends and family in the catering kitchen. There’s always a reason to come together: book club, Super Bowl, Mardi Gras, Kentucky Derby, your favorite community service project, or just a regular Friday night Happy Hour. You decide!

    You are sure to Live Better from day one! Traditions of America at Cranberry – our 25th community – and it just might be our best yet!