Forbes Capretto Homes is pleased to announce the availability of new home sites in the sought-after Orchard Park community of Pleasant Acres West. This community offers deep, spacious home sites while maintaining a neighborly feel. Enjoy all the charms of a calm suburban environment while being nearby to the countless conveniences that the Village of Orchard Park has to offer. The school district is top rated and downtown Buffalo is just a quick 20 minute commute. Prices start in the $300’s, including land. Homeowners can choose from a wide range of one and two-story home styles, each of which can be fully customized to meet the homeowner’s specific needs and lifestyle. To tour this community; coming from Route 20A, go North on S. Taylor Road, make a right onto New Taylor Road, then turn left onto Airmont Drive. For more details about Pleasant Acres West, please call Renee Stiglmeier at (716) 243-5991 or visit our model home at 61 Golden Crescent Way. (Open 1-4pm, Saturday and Sunday a

Forbes Capretto Custom Homes is pleased to announce the addition of Kevin Paris to our Sales team.  Kevin will help customers build their dream home by guiding them through choosing the perfect home site, plan and features.  Kevin is a Graduate of the University of Buffalo and is also a United States Army Veteran. He brings with him more than 15 years of Sales and Marketing experience, and he has also been a volunteer with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Erie County since 1995.  Forbes Capretto has over thirty years of experience as a custom home builder in Western New York.  We build homes in the most sought after communities and on private sites. Contact: Crystal Newman Forbes Capretto Homes, Inc. (716) 688-5597

HUNT acquires Lang Agency’s two offices in Hornell, NY and Alfred, NY BUFFALO, NY – November 5, 2015 – HUNT Real Estate ERA has expanded to the Southern Tier, acquiring the Lang Agency, a locally-run real estate firm with two offices in Hornell, NY and Alfred, NY. The Lang Agency has served the region for over 40 years and employs 13 real estate agents, all of whom will be joining HUNT. These two new offices bring the total number of HUNT branches to 37 across Western, Central and Upstate New York. “We are thrilled to be able to join this wonderful community,” said Peter Hunt, Chairman & CEO of HUNT Real Estate ERA. “While the name will be changing, the faces will stay the same. We’re dedicated to offering the same great local knowledge and expertise you've come to expect from the Lang Agency for over 40 years.” “We are excited for the opportunity to join HUNT Real Estate ERA,” commented Barbara Hess, Owner of the Lang Agency. “We look forward to the expanded tool

Chautauqua, NY (10/27/2015) — ERA Team VP Real Estate recently announced the addition of Shane Zahm, Darcie McLachlan, Christopher & Talitha Mascelli, and Jason Genberg to its team of real estate sales professionals serving consumers in the Chautauqua County area. Shane Zahm joins ERA Team VP as a rookie real estate agent who is already on pace for $1,000,000 in sales in his first year. He credits his early success to his background in construction, ranging from building and remodeling homes, working as a Housing Rehab Specialist, and a Cable Technician. Shane lives and works in the Fredonia area, but covers real estate activity in all of Chautauqua County and most of Cattaraugus County. He is very active in his community, coaching his daughter’s sports teams; Little Kickers soccer, U6 soccer, and Hathaway League baseball. “The highest compliment my clients can give me is the referral of their friends, family, and business partners,” said Zahm. D

Chautauqua, NY (10/21/15) – 112 Golfers participated in the 6th Annual Agents of Hope Scramble Golf Tournament, hosted by ERA Team VP Real Estate & Vacation Rentals, to benefit the ALS Association and the ALS Division of MDA this past August at the Chautauqua Golf Club. The event, held every year on the last Wednesday of August, raised a total of $9,000. Charlie Young, President & CEO of ERA Franchise Systems joins Bill Soffel, Broker/Owner of ERA Team VP for this year’s Agent of Hope Golf Tournament held on August 26, 2015. Along with sponsorship opportunities there were many ways for the golfers to help raise money the day of the tournament. Featured on-course events included a Mojito Bar, Jell-O shot hole, betting hole, Arnold Palmer/John Daily Bar, Corn-Hole contest, and a prize wheel. Following the event, ERA hosted a steak dinner catered by Andriaccios, and included announcement of the tournament winners, a 50/50 drawing, and a raffle of over 65 items and gift certif

BUFFALO, NY – September 25, 2015 – HUNT Real Estate Corporation (www.huntrealestate.com ) recently held its annual Golf Tournament & Wine Tour, benefiting the United Way. Through contributions from sponsors, participants, and HUNT sales professionals and employees, this year’s event raised $28,500 for the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County (www.uwbec.org). This is the 19th year HUNT has put on this event and, in total, they’ve raised over $350,000 through this annual fundraiser. “None of this would have been possible without the generosity of our corporate partners and the dedication of our staff,” said Peter Hunt, Chairman & CEO of Hunt Real Estate Corp. “We are grateful for all of their donations and support - not just in monetary terms, but also in the commitment of their personal time to help this very worthy cause.” “Western New York is an extraordinarily generous community. We are very grateful for the hardworking people at HUNT Real Estate who donate not only t

Team effort and experience cited as key to success Amherst, NY —MJ Peterson Real Estate recently announced that the Amherst-based company’s Commercial Division won the 2014 CoStar Broker/Agent of the Year award earlier this year. MJ Peterson won the award based on 2014 sales volume reported through CoStar, the largest real-time database of commercial real estate information in the industry. “Over the last few years, our focus has been to build a solid team; we accomplished that by working together and targeting the same goals. We have been successful at building our business, with Robert Liebeck, Gary DeCarlo, Joseph Jacobi, Jr. and Ronald “Gunner” Tronolone,” said Dorothy “Stahlnecker” Smith, associate real estate broker. “This prestigious award from CoStar reflects how the capable members of our commercial division have taken the time and made the effort to know our area from the ground up,” said Victor L. Peterson III, company president. “The CoStar award was one of our grea

August 7, 2015 (Clarence, NY) - Essex Homes of WNY is pleased to announce that it recently broke ground on Phase II of Essex Greens at Waterford, a luxury patio home community with condominium status located in Clarence, NY, off of Roll Road to Dana Marie Parkway. The announcement was made by Philip J. Nanula, president of Essex Homes. Phase II will include 27 new patio home sites, many backing to a 35-acre conservation area. “Essex Greens is our newest building project and will consist of a total of 108 luxury patio homes upon completion,” says Nanula. Essex recently completed Phase I development which includes 34 home sites and began construction on Phase II in July, 2015. The patio homes at Essex Greens offer prospective homeowners five ranch designs ranging from 1,600-2,100 square feet along with first floor master suites, optional second floors and additional square footage options within four out of the five plans, along with home prices starting in the mid $300’s. Currently

On July 21, Buffalo Niagara Association of REALTORS (BNAR) President Joe Rivellino and Board Member Rebecca VanDorn presented a check for six thousand five hundred ($6,500) dollars each to Mercy Flight Central and Mercy Flight Western New York.  The money was raised at the REALTORS golf event and auction which was held in June at Terry Hills Golf Course and Banquet Facility in Batavia, New York. Mercy Flight Central is an independent, non-profit organization of air medical professionals, devoted to integrity and compassion, providing critical care to the sick and injured. Mercy Flight WNY is an independent, not-for-profit provider of emergency air-medical transport and supporting services, ensuring rapid, safe and cost effective delivery of expert emergency response teams. The BNAR/Genesee Valley has been involved with Mercy Flight Central for over sixteen years and most recently Mercy Flight Western New York because of their needs and the areas the Association serves.  Spearheadin

Uniland Development Company Teams With Local Realty Experts to Lease the Glen at Perinton Hills in Fairport, New York BUFFALO, NY – July 30, 2015 – HUNT Real Estate ERA has been named by Uniland Residential, a division of Uniland Development, as the exclusive leasing firm for The Glen at Perinton Hills, a new luxury apartment community in Fairport, N.Y. The 60-unit complex, located at the southwest corner of Pittsford-Palmyra Road (Route 31) and Moseley Road, is Uniland’s first residential offering in the Rochester area. The company owns and manages several office parks in Fairport and Pittsford. Carl Montante Jr, VP of Marketing and Business Development at Uniland, points out that The Glen’s refined amenities will cater to a discerning clientele who desire modern living and an active lifestyle. Tucked behind the Uniland-owned Perinton Hills Office Park and adjacent to tree-lined residential neighborhoods, the community offers a suburban, walkable environment, while providing c

Industry’s hottest innovation gives back agents “years” in lost productivity  July 29, 2015 – Buffalo, NY – One of America’s oldest and most prestigious real estate brands, HUNT Real Estate ERA, has launched the real estate industry’s hottest new technology – marketing automation – a move that will “shave years” off the total time its more than 1,000 agents typically spend marketing listings annually. “Agents won't lift a finger,” says Peter Hunt, Chairman and CEO of HUNT Real Estate Corp, which was established in 1911 and operates offices throughout New York State and Arizona, when describing how marketing materials will now be created for every listing. “Our job is to make it easy for agents to do what they need to do,” he adds. Hunt explains that as his agents post new home listings, everything needed to market each property – a complete digital and print marketing package – is automatically created and delivered to the listing agent overnight. HUNT Real Estate

Chief Executive Officer of the Buffalo Niagara Association of Realtors, John B. Leonardi , presented a small token of appreciation to  Angelo LaDuca and Floyd Doring for spearheading the event. LONG-TERM DEDICATION TO REALTOR ASSOCIATION HONORED The Buffalo Niagara Association of REALTORS ®, Inc. (BNAR) presented a special award from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) to seventeen members of BNAR for forty years of service to the real estate industry.  The awards were presented at a luncheon at the Buffalo Launch Club in Grand Island, New York. Realtor Emeriti Honorees this year were Geraldine Andolina of Century 21 Winklhofer; Judith Black, Joan Grandoni, Patricia Jerome, Maurice Johnson from RealtyUSA;  Thomas Blaine of F.E. Blaine Realtors;  Michael Hooper of Hooper Realty; Lynda Mason of Century 21 Ganey; Elizabeth and Ernest Paradiso of WNY Metro Paradiso Realty;  Sam Talarico from Coldwell Banker Integrity Real Estate;  Leona Frank, Patricia Kowalski and

Popular TV show’s “Renovation” spin-off series follows HUNT Real Estate agent’s clients through the process of selecting their home and the ensuing remodel BUFFALO, NY – July 9, 2015 – On Saturday, July 11th at 10pm, HGTV’s House Hunters Renovation will feature HUNT Real Estate ERA sales professional, Mandy Smith Taborda, as she assists HUNT clients in finding their ideal home to remodel. House Hunters Renovation is a spin-off of one of HGTV’s most watched shows, House Hunters. HGTV ( http://www.hgtv.com ) describes House Hunters Renovation as a show that features home buyers as they tour three for-sale homes and choose the one that is the perfect fixer-upper. Cameras capture what happens after the home is purchased and the renovation process. The progress is charted and the results of the remodel are revealed at the end of the show. “We toured homes in Elmwood Village, North Buffalo/Parkside, and the University Area,” said Smith Taborda of HUNT Real Estate ERA’s Buffalo M

Magguilli of HUNT’s Brighton/Pittsford office ranks in the top 100 in the country on REAL Trends’ The Thousand Top Real Estate Professionals Buffalo, N.Y. – June 26, 2015 – Larry Magguilli of HUNT Real Estate ERA was named one of America’s top real estate professionals by REAL Trends, as advertised in The Wall Street Journal. This marks the eighth time he’s been a member of the “The Thousand Top Real Estate Professionals,” a prestigious national awards ranking sponsored annually by the two respected publications. The Thousand was announced on June 26, 2015, with four separate categories honoring the top 250 residential agents and agent teams for excellence in: Individual Sales Professionals—Sales volume Individual Sales Professionals—Transaction sides (in each real estate transaction, there are two sides that can be represented by a real estate agent: a buyer’s and a seller’s) Team Professionals—Sales volume Team Professionals—Transaction sides                      

WILLIAMSVILLE, NEW YORK – Isabel Robitaille, CEO & Broker of Robitaille Relocation & Real Estate, is pleased to announce the arrival of Jodi Benson to the team. Jodi will serve as Business Development & Community Partnerships Director for the Western New York real estate agency. Jodi will assist with relocation and corporate housing, community partnerships, industry trade shows and events, destination services and promotional marketing. Jodi is attuned to the movement Buffalo and the relocation/real estate market is experiencing. Her work experience includes 15 years working in various positions in the hospitality industry. “The current growth in Buffalo and Western New York from manufacturing to the medical segment and beyond is simply amazing,” Robitaille offers clients a one-stop-advantage for all their relocation & housing needs” states Benson. Isabel Robitaille is the CEO & Broker of Robitaille Relocation & Real Estate, real estate and relocation sp

Chief Executive Officer of the Buffalo Niagara Association of Realtors, John B. Leonardi presented a small token of appreciation to  Angelo LaDuca and Floyd Doring for spearheading the event.    The Buffalo Niagara Association of REALTORS® , Inc. (BNAR) presented a special award from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) to seventeen members of BNAR for forty years of service to the real estate industry.  The awards were presented at a luncheon at the Buffalo Launch Club in Grand Island, New York. Realtor Emeriti Honorees this year were Geraldine Andolina of Century 21 Winklhofer; Judith Black, Joan Grandoni, Patricia Jerome, Maurice Johnson from RealtyUSA;  Thomas Blaine of F.E. Blaine Realtors;  Michael Hooper of Hooper Realty; Lynda Mason of Century 21 Ganey; Elizabeth and Ernest Paradiso of WNY Metro Paradiso Realty;  Sam Talarico from Coldwell Banker Integrity Real Estate;  Leona Frank, Patricia Kowalski and Elaine McCune from MJ Peterson Real Estate; Gary Kenline,

  Forbes Capretto Homes is pleased to announce that we are now taking reservations for our newest exclusive community, Hidden Meadows in Lancaster.  Hidden Meadows is situated just off Aurora Street at Hidden Meadow Crossing.  “This wonderful community, will comprise of a variety of custom-designed floor plans – all of which are unique and can be customized to meet each homeowner’s specific wishes”, says Rocco Roshong, New Home Consultant with Forbes Capretto Homes.  Custom homes ranging from the low $300’s to $550,000, including home site and landscaping with hydro seeding.  Available home designs include the popular “Lennox”, featuring an open floor-plan comprising a gourmet kitchen with island and butler pantry, walk-in pantry and bayed dinette area overlooking rear yard; formal dining-room; private home-office. The first floor owners suite includes large bedroom, private spa bath that includes whirlpool tub & separate glass/tiled shower with a double sink vanity, walk-in

The Buffalo Niagara Association of REALTORS Offers Online Real Estate Salespersons Qualifying Course   (Buffalo, NY)  Are you interested in a career in real estate?  The Buffalo Niagara Association of REALTORS® has partnered with The CE Shop, the leader in online real estate education and is excited to co-sponsor the online pre-licensing course. The 75-hour New York State License online interactive course teaches you everything you need to obtain your New York real estate license.  It fulfills New York State’s pre-licensing requirements and prepares you for the state exam. Through the Online course, you will study with experts in appraisal, sales and law and learn to deal with many of today’s complex real estate issues and help build a strong foundation for future success.  “That's why we've partnered with The CE Shop -- to give the student more flexibility and control over how to obtain a real estate license,” stated John Leonardi, Chief Executive Officer of the 2,80

Forbes Capretto Homes is delighted to announce the availability of new home sites in one of the premier communities in Western New York. Spaulding Green presents beautiful home sites in a tranquil setting. Within easy reach of shopping, entertainment as well as top-rated schools and country clubs. There are several local parks, golf clubs and riding centers nearby. Residents of Spaulding Green enjoy quiet streets with no cut-through traffic and plenty of shade trees. A limited number of select home sites are now available.  They range from nearly ½ acre to ¾ acre located along Glenview Drive.  Prices start from the $350s, including land.  Homeowners can choose from a wide range of home styles, each of which can be fully customized to meet the homeowner’s specific needs and personal style. In addition, an in-house Interior Designer is available to guide each customer through the exciting process of choosing selections and creating their dream home. For more details about Spaulding Green

Forbes Capretto Homes is delighted to announce our newest model home in the Cheektowaga community of Emerald Gardens.  This home offers all the conveniences of first floor living with an open floor plan that allows flexibility should your needs change. You're moments from Transit Road and within easy reach of Downtown Buffalo.  This home's classic exterior features vinyl siding accentuated by a 3' band of brick. Inside, you are greeted by a foyer with hardwood floors and open floor plan. Your guests will love the spacious great room with 10’ ceilings and fireplace. The owner's suite is private and tucked away from the other bedrooms. The owner’s bedroom features a tray ceiling and offers plenty of space for even the largest of furniture. Also included, is a large walk-in closet and private bath with linen closet. This home is 1,812 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths and priced at $304,900, which includes landscaping and hydroseeding.  Still under construction,

Forbes Capretto Homes is pleased to announce the grand opening of the “Lennox” at 9554 Bent Grass Run, Clarence.  This stylish custom-built home is located in the upscale community of Spaulding Green with beautiful home sites and a tranquil setting and offers nearly 2,500 square feet of living space. The imposing exterior features a 3’ band of cultured stone and covered front porch for shelter.  A side-turned, 2-car garage provides plenty of space for parking or storage.  Bright windows fill the front exterior, which combined with 9’ first floor ceilings, allow natural light to flood the home’s interior. Inside the home, a private den opens from the foyer.  Opposite, the formal dining room features hardwood floors, painted box panels, chair rail and double-step crown molding.  The gourmet kitchen/dinette includes a generous allocation of granite counters, stainless steel appliances, center island snack bar overlooking the great room, spacious pantry and room for casual di

By Motley Fool Staff | More Articles April 7, 2015 | Comments (0) While the mortgage process can be quite intimidating at first, the loan choices available to you are actually rather straightforward. Here are your two main choices, and tips on deciding which is best for you.   Two Flavors of Mortgages Fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages are the two main types of mortgages of the home-lending world.  Fixed-rate loans: A fixed-rate mortgage is very straightforward. As the name implies, these loans have an interest rate that doesn't change and a set amount of time until the loan is paid off. The borrower knows from the beginning what the interest rate will be for the entire duration of the mortgage, and the monthly payments due are likewise fixed.  By far, the most popular fixed-rate mortgage is the 30-year mortgage, but they also come in 15-year terms, 20-year terms, and others. Adjustable-rate loan

Company president cites company diversity and strong market presence AMHERST, N.Y . - As his company celebrates its 85th year in business, Victor L. Peterson III, president of MJ Peterson, said that his business increased in 2014 and that diversification remains the strongest asset. Peterson made his remarks during the State of the Company address at their 31st annual awards ceremony earlier this month. He said his multi-generational business continues to grow, with a market share just under nine percent and closed sales finishing with a seven percent increase. “Our local real estate market last year, according to the Multiple Listing Service, remained flat or slightly decreased in closed sales. MJ Peterson is ahead of the curve and has exceeded these respective percentages for closed sales in 2014,” noted Peterson. The commercial division, he added, nearly doubled their closed business in 2014. Peterson said his company’s brokerage division had 38 sales production award winners, the