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Buffalo, NY Real Estate News

By Lee Ann Obenauer
(Metro Roberts Realty)
Time and time again I receive requests from buyers to get the keys at the final walk through.  Granted, the closing is usually the next morning, but yet, you don't own this property yet.  The owner has every right to still enter and occupy this home until it is closed and they deserve the privacy to do so.  Now some buyers beg and plead and make promises that they won't enter the property until the morning, but no offense I can't trust you.  Not that you aren't trustworthy, but the pressure will get to you and before you know there you stand the night before closing inserting key into door knob.  Early on as a Real Estate agent I let a couple of people have keys early who swore on the lives of their children that they would not go into the property before they owned it.  The last time I...
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By Lee Ann Obenauer
(Metro Roberts Realty)
I read an article today about a Kentucky business man who bought out the remaining inventory of a closing K-Mart store and donated it all to charity. It came to mind that "what a nice gesture, I wish I could do something like that", but alas, I am not a rich business man with money to burn.  But on a small scale we all can do our part to help out our fellow man.   So, you are getting your home ready to sell or you have sold your home and are cleaning everything out.  Instead of setting up all of your belongings in the driveway and having a garage sale, why not donate your items to a local charity.  The $30 or $40 you might make at garage sale can't even compare to the joy you will bring to a person in need.   There are many charities in Western New York that can benefit from donated it...
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By Julie Babcock -Nook & Cranny Home Inspections
(Nook & Cranny Home Inspections Tonawanda, NY)
  Buffalo Spring It’s that funny time of year when Western New Yorkers may use the furnace and the A/C on the same day, so I thought it appropriate to talk about maintaining both of them.  Here are 4 easy things that most any homeowner can do to keep these expensive components working properly for years to come. 1. Make sure you have a rain cap on the flue.  Rain and snow falling into the flue contribute to rusting of both the metal portions of the flue as well as the furnace or boiler.  Rain caps are inexpensive.  If it is not safe for the homeowner to install it, it’s still a very good thing to pay a contractor to install.   2.  Change furnace filters regularly.  A dirty air filter makes the furnace or A/C work harder than necessary and also contributes to a dirty blower and motor.  ...
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By Colleen Irwin, Creative Real Estate Solutions...
(Retired)
Start Here to Purchase a Buffalo Home! Thinking of purchasing a Buffalo Home? Where does one start? Well if you found this article you probably have started to search via the Internet. You are not alone, over 80% of home buyers start searching for their new home on the Internet. Here are some great articles that you should read before you dive into the housing market: Buy now in Buffalo New York? 5 Reasons You Should Own Your Own Home Is this a good time to purchase a home in WNY? How Buyers Can Save Money (and aggrevation) on their WNY Home Purchase Selling your WNY Home? Don't wait until you find the perfect WNY home to select your Home Inspector! How Can I Afford to Buy a New Buffalo Home How to reduce the stress during house hunting for your WNY home. Excellent reasons to not purcha...
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By Colleen Irwin, Creative Real Estate Solutions...
(Retired)
Buffalo Homes Under $50,000     City of Buffalo Communities sport a wide variety of places to live and a wide variety of prices from a few thousand dollars to million dollar price tag.   This market report focuses on a selection of all homes under $50,000.   Market Reports & Community Updates   Allentown Market Report for Single Family Homes Buffalo Homes with a Pool Black Rock Real Estate Market Report Buffalo New York Condos for Sale Market Report Elmwood Village Single-Family & Multi-Family Homes For Sale Waterfront Homes of Downtown Buffalo Rivermist Condos Admiral’s Walk Gull Landing Portside The Breakwaters   Selection of homes for Sale   $4,500 47 Shepard St Buffalo, NY 14212 Listing #: B392436 $11,000 100 Decker St Buffalo, NY 14215 Listing #: B393605 $14,900 253 Efner St Buffal...
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By Carolyn Roland- In Delaware and S. Chester County PA, Carolyn Roland, GRI, CRS
(Independent architectural histor'n)
This last weekend was Garden Walk weekend in Buffalo, New York, and I took advantage of being able to stay with my son and daughter-in-law, and having a son who is willing to go on treks with me. I had read that Garden Walk Buffalo is the largest garden tour in the U.S., so off we went!                We didn't have to travel far on Delavan Ave. to have a large Victorian house (and the street is lined with them) catch my eye, and of course the flamingos didn't hurt. But Buffalo is full of surprises, including the Cottage District, originally known as Black Rock, where the cottages date from the 1850's. These charming cottages have been restored and colorful gardens accent the bright colors of the houses. So this is the fortuitous result of the economic downturn in Buffalo--they couldn't...
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  New York State Property Condition Disclosure Law New York Real Property - Article 14 - § 462 Property Condition Disclosure Statement Did you know? As of March 1, 2002, EVERY SELLER of one to four family residential housing - whether they be broker (agent)-assisted or for SALE BY OWNER - will be required to provide a completed Property Condition Disclosure Statement to potential buyers under the Property Condition Disclosure Law.  The seller of the residential property must provide a signed property condition disclosure to the buyer or buyer's agent prior to the signing of a binding contract of sale.  If the seller fails to provide the buyer with said property condition disclosure prior to the buyer signing a binding contract, the buyer shall receive a credit of $500.00 upon transfer ...
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By Lee Ann Obenauer
(Metro Roberts Realty)
  Looking for something to do this spring. Why not spend an afternoon reliving history.  This year's show house is the Bayliss-Oshei Residence located at 360 Depew Avenue in Buffalo.  This event runs from April 30 through May 22, 2011.  Tickets are $20.00.     William H. Bayliss commissioned Buffalo architect Harvey Staring Horton to create plans for this beautiful tudor style home.In 1935 it became the full time residence of  William Bayliss,his wife Bessie Cowan and his two children James and  Mary Elizabeth.  Bayliss chose this location because his wife wanted to be able to walk to Central Park United Methodist Church. In 1954, two years after the death of her mother Bessie Bayliss, Mary Elizabeth and her husband purchased 360 Depew from the Bayliss estate and made it their home for ...
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By Lee Ann Obenauer
(Metro Roberts Realty)
For those of you who have utter the words "who would live in Buffalo?" this is the first of many blogs about the wonderful things going on in Buffalo and Western New York and the revitalization that is happening  in the City.  For those of you who live in the suburbs and think that nothing is going on in Downtown Buffalo, you are sorely mistaken.  Now that the weather is getting warmer, spend an afternoon in North Buffalo on Hertel, Allentown, on the waterfront. Come out and see what has changed.  Over the next few weeks I will highlight the upcoming development projects, activities and festivals in Western New York. As anyone who lives here knows, there is never a loss for something to do.   
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By Kimberly M Addelman, Kim Addelman-Williamsville,New York- Realty USA
(Realty USA)
 Buffalo is a city rich with culture and history. Enjoy fabulous architecture, wonderful urban gardens a world class Philharmonic Orchestra, theaters and exciting championship sports teams. Museums and galleries housing supeb art collections and exhibits.Great shopping and restaurants are scattered through out the city. As a center of cultural activity, Buffalo hosts nationally recognized festivals. Buffalo.....make your move!
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By Kimberly M Addelman, Kim Addelman-Williamsville,New York- Realty USA
(Realty USA)
  Buffalo is a city rich with culture and history. Enjoy fabulous architecture, wonderful urban gardens a world class Philharmonic Orchestra, theaters and exciting championship sports teams. Museums and galleries housing supeb art collections and exhibits.Great shopping and restaurants are scattered through out the city. As a center of cultural activity, Buffalo hosts nationally recognized festivals. Buffalo.....make your move!
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By Kimberly M Addelman, Kim Addelman-Williamsville,New York- Realty USA
(Realty USA)
Buffalo is a city rich with culture and history. Enjoy fabulous architecture, wonderful urban gardens a world class Philharmonic Orchestra, theaters and exciting championship sports teams. Museums and galleries housing supeb art collections and exhibits.Great shopping and restaurants are scattered through out the city. As a center of cultural activity, Buffalo hosts nationally recognized festivals. Buffalo.....make your move!
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By Mark Maupin See Blog Free Investors Training, National Real Estate Investors Network Host
(National Real Estate Network, LLC)
 Duct cleaning is recommended once or twice a year to improve and maintain indoor air quality.  Duct cleaning is the best way to remove indoor air contaminants and microbial debris such as dust mites, mold and mildew that can aggravate allergy symptoms and lead to lung-related health problems for residents.  DUCTZ is the nation's leading duct cleaning technicians and indoor air quality professionals, with over 125 independently owned franchise locations in the U.S.  Heat ducts are not the only place where indoor air contaminants lurk.  DUCTZ also provides bathroom exhaust duct cleaning, HVAC cleaning and inspections, HVAC unit and ductwork deodorizing, ductwork integrity inspections, filtration services and microbial maintenance control.  The EPA has listed poor indoor air quality as Am...
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RESA...Real Estate Staging Though A Spirit of Collaboration Not Competition. This statement taken from, What is RESA? As long as I have been a member of RESA, no truer words could be said of all the Home Stagers I have met. Home Stagers that educate, share ideas and are open to lend a helping hand in any situation. This evening I had the pleasure of phoning a sister RESA member in Buffalo, New York. I was looking for information on what the market is doing in her area, and asked if she knew of anyone that could help me in the sale of my property in Lancaster, New York. Her name is Kathy Emhof of Transition Home Staging and Redesign  She answered all my questions about her local area and gave me a great referral of a Real Estate Agent she really thinks highly of. Joe Malinowski is in the...
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By Lee Ann Obenauer
(Metro Roberts Realty)
I recently attended an open house at Metro Roberts Realty's newest location in Tonawanda, New York.  I had the pleasure of speaking with two mortgage professionals who were discussing their respective bank's interest rates. I was surprised to learn that there was a huge difference between each bank's interest rates on 15 year loans.  Both were large banks doing business nationally.  One was at 4.15%, while the other was at 3.8%. Does it pay to shop around.  It sure does.  They also discussed fees involved in obtaining a loan. I learned that there was a big difference there too. So, it pays to shop around even with mortgages.  Ask what each bank or mortgage broker what fees they charge.  Most of these fees are standard and they should be able to tell you up front.  If they are vague or w...
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By Lee Ann Obenauer
(Metro Roberts Realty)
I just read a post by a fellow AR member and adamantly disagree. Feedback is important. It is believed by many agents that providing feedback or requesting feedback after a showing is a big waste of time.  It has been said that "well if they did not write an offer they weren't interested".  That's all fine and dandy, but what the sellers want to know is why didn't they write an offer.  I know that sometimes buyers just don't like the property for personal reasons that have nothing to do with any problems with the property.  But these sellers hired you to be their liason between other agents and themselves. They are curious as to what someone thought about their home.  Even with a multitude of problems, sellers think their house is the best house and why doesn't everyone else think so to...
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By Lee Ann Obenauer
(Metro Roberts Realty)
There was a time not so long ago that "the customer is always right" meant something. Lately it seems as though customer service is dead.  At times it seems like stores are running themselves.  You are out of luck if you have a question, there are no employees working there. Okay there might be one person working there.  But time and time again, I have to hunt down this lone employee to cash me out because for their small paycheck they are not only the cashier but the stockboy, dressing room attendant and cleaning personnel. No wonder they are unhappy. I also have a problem with the "no respect for your elders" teenager.  If one more of these ungrateful to have a job teenagers rolls their eyes at me I am going to jump over the counter and give them a good beating. Now you all know you w...
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By Lee Ann Obenauer
(Metro Roberts Realty)
I recently had the opportunity to help a client look for a new home in Allentown.  I always knew this was a popular area for artists, but what I did not realize is how beautiful this neighborhood has become and how popular it had become with all types of people.  Singles, families, retirees, etc. There is a resurgence of people moving back into the City of Buffalo.  There is an abundance of great old homes just waiting to be given new life.  In Allentown, just such a thing has happened.  Many wonderful homes have been updated and painted in beautiful vibrant Victorian colors (other wise known as painted ladies).  The streets are lined with mature trees and fabulous gardens.  This has become a popular area because it is so close to the Elmwood District in which you can walk to many trend...
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By Lee Ann Obenauer
(Metro Roberts Realty)
Here is another great example of how generous the people of Western New York can be.  No matter how hard times are and how high unemployment is, we always find a way to band together and help out a neighbor.  Three weeks ago, downtown lunchers started lining up for fantastic Mexican food at a new taco truck, dubbed Lloydby operators Peter Cimino and Chris Dorsaneo.  Unlike other parts of the country, food trucks are not a popular thing in Buffalo. We have the occasional hot dog cart and recently the Red Osier roast beef cart, but never a food truck.  Since us downtown lunchers are always looking for something different, we gave it a try and it was fantastic.  Then Tuesday, Lloyd's truck broke, leaving us stranded with no place to eat. They need a new engine. But as always, the people of...
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By Lee Ann Obenauer
(Metro Roberts Realty)
I know this is a strange topic, but . . . . why not. I have come across many random toilets in basements.  Some are neatly tucked in the corner. Some are perched on a platform.  Not sure why a toilet needs a stage.  I have even seen one dead center in the basement. Not sure how you would use it when you can see it from the top of the stairs.   Right next to your washer and dryer is also a strange place.  You can do your business and fold laundry at the same time. A convenience I do not need. Unfortunately sellers, the random toilet cannot be advertised as a half bath.  Even if your random toilet has a companion random shower, it is still not a half bath.  Bathrooms have walls and a door and some reasonable exectation to privacy. A half bath is also not a random toilet in an old closet u...
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