Forbes Capretto Homes is proud to announce the grand opening of the “Oxford” at 6 Holly Ridge Lane.   Located in the upscale community of Holly Ridge Estates, this distinctive home is set in a professionally landscaped yard.   The home is ready for a new owner and will be available for viewing every Saturday and Sunday from 1pm-4pm, as well as by appointment. Call Anthony Rijos for more details at 716-243-6994. The home welcomes you and your guests with a stylish exterior featuring cultured stone and vinyl siding, Featuring just under 4,000 square feet of furnished, professionally decorated living space, the two story “Oxford” includes 4 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. The opulent grand foyer is flanked by a formal living room on the left and a formal dining room on the right. We’ve added touches of formality and elegance to the dining room with immaculate decorative trim, including crown molding, painted box panels and a chair rail.   ...

As a first-time homebuyer, you should seriously consider getting your own agent. Although the Internet makes some aspects of finding homes easier than it was 20 years ago, a good real estate agent has access to lots of market information not available to the public, including the confidential selling prices of comparable homes in the area (referred to as "comps"). A good agent will help you use that knowledge to strike a savvy deal that benefits both you and the seller — a win-win situation. Three things to know about agents: 1) A buyer generally does not pay any money out of pocket for the services of a real estate agent. Agent commissions are typically paid by the seller; the buyer’s agent and the seller’s agent split the total commission. 2) A buyer’s agent protects your interests. Using the seller’s real estate agent does not protect your interests. Agents who represent buyers only are known as exclusive buyer agents, and you can find one th...

St. Luke's has provided care and hope to the less fortunate of the East side of Buffalo since 1928. It is a glorious church with a stunning architectural dome, spectacular glass windows and hand carved ceilings reminiscent of the churches in Rome, Italy.  St. Luke's was abandoned and closed by the Diocese in 1991. People of tremendous faith stepped up to purchase the church from the Diocese. I call the co-founders, Amy Betros, Norm Paolini and Michael Taheri the "Good and Faithful" in our community. Through the generous donations of caring people, St. Luke's was restored to its original beauty and once again open for public worship. The landscape around the mission has changed over the years. Abandoned homes were purchased by St. Luke's and renovated through the help of local contractors. Today these homes provide shelter to homeless families.  It is the philosophy of St. Luke's to keep families together through a difficult time in their lives. The childr...

U.S. mortgage lending is contracting to levels not seen since 1997 — the year Tiger Woods won his first of four Masters championships — as rising interest rates and home prices drive away borrowers. Wells Fargo & Co. and JPMorgan Chase & Co., the two largest U.S. mortgage lenders, reported a first-quarter plunge in loan volumes that’s part of an industry-wide drop off. Lenders made $226 billion of mortgages in the period, the smallest quarterly amount since 1997 and less than one-third of the 2006 average, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association in Washington. Lending has been tumbling since mid-2013 when mortgage rates jumped about a percentage point after the Federal Reserve said it might taper stimulus spending. A surge in all-cash purchases to more than 40 percent has kept housing prices rising, squeezing more Americans out of the market. That will help push lending down further this year, according to the association. “Banks large and small are going t...

Buffalo Niagara Association of Realtors Bestows Honor on Leading Real Estate Businessman Depew, N.Y. – March 5, 2014 – Chairman and CEO Peter Hunt of HUNT Real Estate ERA was recently named Realtor® of the Year by the Buffalo Niagara Association of Realtors (BNAR). The award was presented by Congressman Chris Collins at the association’s Inaugural event. Hunt, whose company has also been recognized by ERA Real Estate as a national finalist for the brand’s Innovation Award, has long been heralded for driving ingenious innovation within the real estate industry. His community and industry leadership has been acknowledged on several occasions. “It is humbling to be chosen for this recognition by my competing colleagues in our industry, particularly considering the fact that my grandfather and father preceded me,” said Hunt. “This honor is a tribute to everyone in our organization.” The award acknowledges the outstanding impact of a Realtor who has contributed to the real estate industry,...

Essex Homes is pleased to announce that Essex Greens at Waterford, a luxury patio home community in Clarence, NY, has been granted Condominium Status.  “We are very happy to confirm that we have received notification from the New York State Office of the Attorney General that Essex Greens at Waterford has been recognized as a Condominium project. This designation allows the Essex Greens at Waterford homeowners to benefit from the conveniences of a homeowner’s association and qualify for lower property taxes” said Phil Nanula, President, Essex Homes. Essex Greens at Waterford, located off Roll Road in Clarence’s prestigious Waterford Village, will consist of over 100 luxury patio homes. Lot deposits are being taken for the first phase which will feature 34 home sites available for new home construction this spring.  Essex Greens at Waterford will feature five attractive ranch designs ranging in size from 1600 to over 3000 square feet; featuring first floor master suites with ...

Experienced Sales Professional Joins Company’s KenTon Office Buffalo, NY – January 30, 2014 – HUNT Real Estate ERA is pleased to welcome Michelle Tarbox to their team of leading real estate professionals. Tarbox brings years of real estate sales experience and a commitment to excellence to this elite organization. “We are thrilled to add Michelle to our KenTon Team. Her market knowledge across Western New York is a huge asset to buyers and sellers" Jonathan Orlow, Broker Consultant KenTon Branch of HUNT Real Estate ERA. Michelle holds a Masters degree in Communication and Negotiation and is dedicated to serving the Western New York Area, specializing in Buffalo and Niagara County. Michelle has many years of experience in Residential Sales, Commercial Sales, and working with First-Time Homebuyers. Let Michelle’s unique experience work for you! To contact Michelle Tarbox directly, email michelle.tarbox@huntrealestate.com or call 716- 598-0210. For more information about HUNT Rea...

Robitaille Relocation & Real Estate was recently listed in Business First as one of “Western New York’s Most Admired Companies for 2013". The nominations were selected by, considering company growth, success as an employer and connection with the local community. Isabel J. Robitaille, President and CEO, stated that she contributes the success to the professionalism of her employees and agents, their adherence to the mission statement and overall esprit de corps.