IN McKeesport Summer 2019 | Page 22

SPONSORED CONTENT BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT SPONSORED CONTENT Wilson Baum Agency— Real Estate and Insurance All in One W hen Robert W. Baum looks at McKeesport, he sees virtually unlimited potential. But, when you’re a second generation business owner for a company that’s been selling insurance and real estate in the region since 1933, it’s hard not to be optimistic. “I was born and raised here, educated here and I have a stake in this town,” Baum said. “I have a son, Craig, in the business doing real estate, wealth management and life insurance. Along with having my business in the city, I am on six boards within the city. To be successful here, you need to show the public that you have staying power, knowledge, reliability, honesty and all that goes with it.” The Wilson Baum Agency was founded by Wilson W. Baum, Robert’s father, in 1933. He grew the agency for nearly 30 years until Robert took over as president and owner of the company in 1961. On the insurance side, Wilson Baum Agency has always been independent, meaning they’re not going to push you into underwriting a policy with a company that isn’t in your best interests. They have extensive experience in helping clients with companies like Progressive, Travelers, Nationwide, Donegal, Allied, Encompass, Liberty Mutual, Penn Charter and more. As far as real estate, Wilson Baum is part of Howard Hanna’s network of Realtors. They have 10 agents on staff, most of which live in the McKeesport community. Baum said there’s amazing value in living in McKeesport if people just look. 20 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE ❘ icmags.com “A lot of people don’t know what they’re talking about when it comes to McKeesport and we fight that uphill battle every day,” he said. “The school district is improving all the time, the teachers are doing a magnificent job. We arrange district tours for clients all the time. The city is constantly working on infrastructure and removing blight wherever it may be and firms and developers are coming back with new construction. There are great houses here for less than the price you, may find elsewhere.” Baum said any community that goes from 63,000 people to 19,000 due to the loss of the steel industry in the 1980s has to change course if it wants to reverse that trend. In his estimation, McKeesport has been reversing that trend for quite some time now. In addition to infrastructure improvements, the community, government and schools all work together to continue improving the region for future generations. “There are a lot of great things going on in McKeesport and that’s the goal,” he said. “Everyone working together makes the entire community better. The cost of living is good, we have great economics here from a cost standpoint, and, for $100,000 to $250,000, you’re going to get a much better value on a home than you would in neighboring communities or across county lines.” For more information on the Wilson Baum Agency, Inc., for your insurance or real estate needs, go to their website at www.wilsonbaum.com, where you can see all of their current insurance lines and real estate listings. Wilson Baum Agency is located at 314 Long Run Road, McKeesport, 15132. You can also call them directly at 412.751.2200.