Buffalo Pride

Buffalo NY just lost our greatest ambassador in Tim Russert. Two weeks after his death we had an amazing weekend that celebrated everything he loved about Buffalo NY. I was an honored to be a member of a group of Buffalo ambassadors that organized this event.

I returned to the Buffalo area after 21 years of being away to be closer to family late last year. Inspired by Oprah’s “Big Give”; I gave some time and expertise to Buffalo Homecoming. In doing so, I made new friends and was inspired by the many wonderful Buffalo Ambassadors we have right here in Buffalo NY.

I got something that I didn’t expect in giving. It is this wonderful feeling inside of me. My connection to the Buffalo New York region strongly rooted, and confirmation that I belong here. Marti Gorman lead the way, with a steering committee of community leaders and a core group of 20 somethings lead by Matt Carlucci and Joe Malczewski, who just wanted to make a difference was the reason Buffalo Homecoming was so amazing.

The people that organized this event believe in our community and at every turn showed how Buffalo NY is an amazing place to call home. Not only was it the Cultural Arts, Sports, the Career Opportunities, the progressive new companies but it was the people that made this event so special.
Visit www.buffalohomecoming.com for more information and the blog for details about the weekend. While you are there, you can find out how to sponsor and volunteer and get that feeling I was talking about!

Read the Rest of the story at:  Buffalo NY — No greater place to call home!

Buffalo Homecoming – How to bring people back to a community

 

Buffalo NY – No better place to call home!

Pride in Buffalo shined this past weekend.  Even though the weather didn’t always cooperate, it was an amazing weekend!   Buffalo Homecoming 2008 showcased the best that Buffalo has to offer!   The four day celebration June 26-29 gave us the opportunity to share the great restaurants that the Greater Buffalo Region has to offer, and showcase 20 of the most progressive CEO’s.   There were 40 companies at the Career Fair with amazing job opportunities.  We celebrated the Arts and Cultural organizations in Delaware Park and saw the launch of the row boats in Hoyt Lake after years of them not being available.   Some took in art exhibits at the Albright Knox Gallery others enjoyed local artists in the Casino on Hoyt Lake while the Buffalo Philharmonic String Quartet played.  And as our event ended, many people strolled over to Shakespeare Hill to enjoy King Lear.

Read Also:  Article on Buffalo Homecoming in Buffalo News

On Saturday we discovered all that is great about Buffalo from the Downtown Housing Tour and the variety of neighborhood tours.  Then there was the Buffalo Bison’s Game — where I got to invite everyone to the Sunday Brunch at the Buffalo Zoo, where we paid tribute to Tim Russert.   We had a reunion party that joined the 80’s Bash because of weather, and in true Buffalonian spirit, one event opened its arms to another!   Buffalo is truly the city of Good Neighbors.   Don’t you want to call it home too?  Below is a slide show of all the photos that were taken on my camera during the event.

Buffalo NY just lost our greatest ambassador in Tim Russert. Two weeks after his death we had an amazing weekend that celebrated everything he loved about Buffalo NY. I was an honored to be a member of a group of Buffalo ambassadors that organized this event.  

The people that organized this event believe in our community and at every turn showed how Buffalo NY is an amazing place to call home. Not only was it the Cultural Arts, Sports, the Career Opportunities, the progressive new companies but it was the people that made this event so special.

Make pans for the next Buffalo Homecoming Weekend June 27-30, 2009… Visit www.buffalohomecoming.com for more information and the blog for details about the weekend.  While you are there, you can find out how to sponsor and volunteer and get that feeling I was talking about!

 

Additional Reading Material:

• Buffalo Homecoming  
• Buffalo Homecoming 2008
• Article on Buffalo Homecoming

Niagara County Market Reports for June 2008

Here are the market reports for June 2008 for Niagara County coummunities:

Town of Niagara Single-family Homes for
Sale

There are currently 28 single-family homes for sale in the Town of Niagara
with an average list price of $107,046. Highest single-family home for sale is
listed for $200,000 and the lowest is listed for $18,000 in the Town of Niagara.

Lockport NY Single Family Homes for
Sale

Real Estate Market Reports are a way to gauge what is happening in the Homes
For Sale. There are currently 228 (up from 216 since the last market report for
Lockport) active Single-family homes for sale in Lockport NY with an average
list price of $110,057.

DeVeaux Homes For Sale – Market Report June 2008

DeVeaux Homes in Niagara Falls are truly unique and wonderful. There are so
many options to this quiet community in Niagara Falls. In 2007 between January 1
and June 10 there were a total of 23 closed sales in DeVeaux selling for an
average of $73,963 and spending an average of 92 days on the market.

Wheatfield Single-family Homes For Sale Market Report June 1,
2008

There are currently 4 pending/undercontract and 89 single-family homes for
sale in Wheatfield with an average list price of $209,647 with the highest
listed for $679,000 and the lowest listed at $60,000

Youngston NY Homes for Sale June
2008

Interested in buying or selling a single-family home in Youngstown New York?
Year to date there has been 6 single-family homes sold for an average $138,458
spending an average of 87 days on the market in Youngstown NY.

Harltand NY Single-family homes for sale

Currently there is 2 pending sale and 18 active single-family homes for sale
in Hartland with an average list price of $126,406.

Lewiston Single-family Homes Sold Market
Report

There are currently 84 single-family homes for sale in Lewiston and 6 pending
sales of homes for sale. 

The average list price of a single-family home in
Lewiston is $210,027.

Wurlitzer Park N. Tonawanda NY Market Report

Wurlitzer Park N. Tonawanda NY Market Report for June 2008. Year to date in
Wurlitzer Park there have been a total of 4 closed sales on the MLS for an
average sales price of $115,625 after spending an average of 84 days on the
market. Highest sold for $142,000 (135 days on the market) and lowest sold for
$86,000 (36 days on the market).

North Tonawanda Market Report for June 2008 Single-family homes for
sale

In the time period January 1, 2007 to June 14, 2007 there were a total of 123
closed sales in North Tonanwanda with an average sales price of $91,388 spending
an average of 64 days on the market. Compare that with today’s numbers you will
see average sold price has gone up, the number of days on the market has
remained consistent and total sales in North Tonawanda from last year are down.

 

PR: wait…  I: wait…  L: wait…  LD: wait…  I: wait… wait…  C: wait…  SD: wait…

Why homes don't sell in Buffalo…

The market here in the greater Buffalo region is booming.   It is an exciting time to be investing in a homne in Buffalo.   Buyers are ready to purchase homes and there is a wide variety of homes to select from.   There is a lot of interest in purchasing homes, so why is it that there are so many homes that don’t sell?

Look at the market reports, average days on market are on the decrease.   In fact homes are selling in a matter of hours of hitting the market.  What do those sellers know that homes that are sitting on the market don’t?

They understand the importance of pricing.  In every instance of homes selling in hours is because the home was priced competitively.  The home seller took a look at what was happening and not what they thought the value was.   They priced their home to sell and sell at the current market conditions.   In doing so, they are findind that they are receive multiple offers from qualified buyers who understand the value of that home.  

In real estate in the greater Buffalo area PRICE is the most important thing a seller can do to ensure a quick sale of their home.  

• What affects the price?
• Condition of home
• Number of properties for sale in the same community

Thinking of selling your Buffalo home?   Please call me at (716) 743-5297 to discuss the real estate market in your community and how you can achieve your Real Estate Goals.

Good time to purchase?

Time to Buy? 

Every day there are news reports of how bad the Real Estate Market is across the country.   Western New York is bucking that trend and experiencing a very strong market.   In fact the Buffalo Niagara Region is one of the top ten thriving Real Estate markets.  Money Magazine name the Buffalo Niagara region part of the top ten regions expected to see appreciation.  Should you wait to buy or should you buy now?

Read Also:  Buy Now! Buffalo Home Values to Increase!

As a first time homebuyer or a home owner contiplating upgrading the decision to purchase is very personal.  You may be feeling pressured that you have to purchase now or lose.  Yes the Real Estate market is good in WNY, but that doesn’t mean you have to make that decision on emotion.

All Real Estate is local.

The purchase of a home is not any investment, it is where you are going to live. In the Buffalo region there are communities that are thriving and others that are declining.  Sometimes you do not make the decision on potential profit.

Your decisions may be more personal than that.   It might be where you start your family, or retire in.  In making the decision to purchase or not here are some things to think about:

1. Gather market stastics on recent Real Estate sale in neighborhoods
2. Look for homes that others pass over.
3. Make sure that the home you purchase makes good financial sense for you
4. Ask questions. Lots of questions and make sure that you are comfortable with the answers

 Reasons to Purchase

Just because the market is positive in Wester New York does not mean that it is a bad decision to wait.  There are so many factors that go into this important decision you have.

Why you might want to buy now:

• Moving up to the next category of home, this could be the best time to purchase. Home prices are going to rebound and when you think it might be the perfect time, you may be priced out of your dream home.
• If you have to sell your home, the gain you make on your new home, may offset the loss of your current home.

• Interest rates are currently low, they could rise and you may not be able to purchase the home you want when rates rise.

Why you might not want to buy now:

• Your relationship is not stable.   Purchasing a home can be very stressful adding the search process can break a relationship.
• Your financial situation is not stable, your credit needs repair.  By waiting to get on a more stable financial situation it places you in a better position to afford the home and be able to handle any unseen financial crisis
• You may be relocating due to your career.  This won’t put you in a position having to sell too soon after purchasing.

Read Also:  How to prevent Buyer’s Remorse from getting the best of you.

Making an informed decision about Real Estate purchase is key to your finanical success.  Do your research.  If you have done your research, you will know that is the right decision for YOU! Dont listen to your friends and family or worse yet the media. Base your decision on facts.  

Please feel free to call me at (716) 743-5297 to schedule a time to sit down and discuss your Real Estate goals and how I can assist you in achieving your Real Estate goals!