ERA Team VP Real Estate Expands Ranks
Christy Wiser & Wendy O’Neil Join Firm Focused on Growth [ELLICOTTVILLE, NY] (12/27/2011) — ERA Team VP Real Estate recently announced the addition of Christy Wiser and Wendy O’Neil to its team of real estate sales professionals serving consumers in the Ellicottville area and Southern Tier of Western New York. Christy Wiser has been an assistant to Tina Dillon (Licensed Salesperson with ERA Team VP and a top producer in Ellicottville) for over 3 years, which gives her a strong foundation to begin building her own business in real estate.   Now that Christy is a fully licensed Real Estate Salesperson with ERA Team VP she will continue to work as a team with Tina Dillon. Wendy O’Neil joins ERA Team VP with over 20 years of experience in residential, recreational and commercial real estate experience in the Ellicottville, Salamanca and Cattaraugus County areas.   She has consistently proven to be a...

I was reminded recently of the many amazing things our Western New York REALTORS® do. Besides helping people daily with all their real estate needs, local REALTORS® are out in our community lending helping hands whenever they can. For this week's article,  I wanted to share a letter from Debbie Norman, Communications & Corporate Affairs Director at the Buffalo Niagara Association of REALTORS®, BNAR. Her letter explains briefly some recent good deeds your local REALTORS® have been up to: When you think of a REALTOR®, you probably think of the person who will help you find your dream home or assist in selling your current home. This is certainly true; however, your neighborhood real estate professional does much more in the community and many of those activities are behind the scenes. You may have heard the great news that West Side home values are increasing.  This is due to the coordinated efforts of the West Side Community Collaborative and the marketing skills of the REA...

Representatives from the Buffalo Niagara Association of Realtors (BNAR)  joined 18,000 other Realtors and guests from across the country at the REALTORS ® Conference & Expo held in Anaheim, Calif., November 11–14.    The year’s meetings encouraged Realtors to “seize the day” for the real estate industry to defend and support the rights of homeowners and real estate investors across the nation.  Attendees participated in forums and shared their insights into the challenges and opportunities of local markets across the country, examined how changing political and economic landscapes are likely to affect the real estate industry, and networked with colleagues from across the U.S. and around the world.   “Concerns about the general economy and state of the nation’s housing market have led some to question the value of owning a home,” said Alice Miranda, BNAR President. “Realtors know how important homeownership is to individuals, families, communities and ...

When it comes to advice on buying a home, I like to refer to the experts.  Multi-billionaire John Paulson, the investment genius who made a lot of money in the business of short subprime mortgages a few years ago, recently spoke to a standing room only crowd in New York City about what works and what doesn’t when it comes to investments.  Since this is the best time in 50 years to buy homes, Paulson advised his listeners to take out 30 year mortgages to buy a home since “your debt and interest payments get locked in at record lows, while the price of your home will rise.”  Paulson recommended “If you don’t own a home buy one” and added “if you own one home, buy another one, and if you own two homes buy a third and lend your relatives the money to buy a home.” Not only do I wholeheartedly agree that now is a great time to buy, I also strongly recommend that you contact a REALTOR® to assist you in your home purchase.   They will help you navigate the various opti...

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in Western New York for embracing 2FindYourHome and making it a huge success. Both 2FindYourHome in print and online are invaluable resources for home buyers, sellers and agents.  The print publication is often distributed at open houses to prospective home buyers, and the website offers shoppers a great way to search for the perfect home.  Speaking of home buying, mortgage rates are still at historically low rates. In fact, US News and World Report recently published “5 Ways to Take Advantage of Low Interest Rates”*, and we’re happy to say “Buy A Home” was number one on the list.  We couldn’t echo this sentiment more.  When you combine low rates, an amazing availability of homes, and the ever changing Western New York market, all these factors make it the perfect time to buy a home.   From my family to yours I hope your Thanksgiving was enjoyable!  Thanks again for making 2FindYourHome and 2FindYour...

For this week’s edition I have decided to use the article Five Great Things about Homeownership by Carla Hill.   I feel she has hit all the key points and have deemed it a perfect fit and must read:  If you've been on the fence about homeownership, now is the time to take a leap! Don't let the negative press deter you from one of life's greatest joys. Take a look at five short and sweet reasons that homeownership is great! 1. Equity : When you pay rent, you never see that money again. It is lining the landlord's pocket. Yes, buying a home may come with some hefty initial costs (downpayment, closing costs, inspections), but you will make that money back over time in equity built in the home. Historically, homes appreciate by about 4 to 6 percent a year. A home bought for $10,000 in 1960 is most likely worth 10 times that in today's market. 2. Relationships : Renters tend to see their neighbors come and go quickly. Apartment complexes also tend to have less common s...

Two local realtors are in the running for People’s Choice Award for Inman News Top Influencer on the Real Estate Industry, Colleen Kulikowski of Keller Williams Realty and Merle Whitehead of RealtyUSA. It's time to vote for a leader who you believe has had the most substantial impact on the real estate industry in the past year. One individual will be recognized as the "People's Choice" Most Influential Real Estate Leader based on a popular vote of Inman News readers. This Reader's Choice recognition is distinct from the Inman 100 list of Most Influential Real Estate Leaders, which is selected based on reader nominations and an internal review and selection process by Inman News. (The nominations process closed Nov. 1 for the Inman 100 list.) The Inman 100 list recognizes those whose voices and actions have the power to change the industry. Among them are individuals who embody strength, common sense, innovation, ingenuity, pers...

The roads are in, the ribbon is cut…let the building begin.  Essex Homes presents their new “Shadow Woods” neighborhood in Clarence Center, conveniently located off Goodrich Road between Roll and County. “We’re pleased to add “Shadow Woods” to the list of popular neighborhoods where Essex is building,” stated Jeff Jones regional sales manager for Essex Homes. “The attraction to this new Clarence location is that the 36 home sites back up to a protected area or pond, and all of them will enjoy the privacy of having no homes directly behind them. We already have build orders and are very excited about the overwhelming response to this exclusive neighborhood,” stated Jones. The entrance to Shadow Woods offers great curb appeal with an impressive stone sign and professional landscaping, welcoming you into this beautiful setting.  In addition to the natural beauty and privacy of Shadow Woods, this new community is within walking distance to Clarence Center’s 4 corners and offers co...

By E. Alice Miranda, BNAR President On October 1, Congress allowed conforming loan limits to revert from 125 percent of the local area median home price to 115 percent of the local median home price. That has effectively reduced the size of conforming loans for many home buyers across the country. According to the Buffalo Niagara Association of Realtors®, these new loan limits will have a big impact on our nation’s housing market.  The new loan limits mean fewer people will have access to affordable mortgage loans, and the loans that are available will be more expensive. The National Association of Realtors® predicts that five to 10 percent of consumers will face higher mortgage rates as a result of this change, at a time when housing is still in recovery. The lower loan limits will impact 669 counties in 42 states and the District of Columbia, with an average Federal Housing Administration loan limit reduction of more than $68,000. The fight isn’t over. Realtors® ar...

On this Veteran’s Day, we pay tribute to all who served defending our liberty and freedom. I want to thank all our veterans, active duty military and their families for their service to our nation. Please know that we deeply appreciate the sacrifi ces that you have made to keep our country free. Thanks for making 2 Find Your Home and 2FindYourHome.com your premier sources for all your real estate needs.

2FindYourHome would like to congratulate Natale Builders on their latest project, Rivera Greens!        “On Wednesday, November 2, Natale Builders held a ribbon cutting ceremony at their new neighborhood Rivera Greens in Clarence. After 3 years of preparation they ARE EXCITED TO GET THE BUILDING OF HOMES STARTED. Natale hired a local arborist to preserve the natural trees, pond and also received a Wildlife Certification for the neighborhood. They partnered with WNY Re-Tree, and donated a portion of the development for tree plantings. Natale Builders had researched all environmental and low Carbon footprint aspects that go into a Green Development and today they cut the ribbon. It was announced on November 1st that they have received from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) their Official Certification that they are the 1 st in NYS to achieve this prestigious 4 out of 4 star award.      Angelo Nat...

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