Donna Littlefield, Real Estate Agent & Broker in WNY

Miscellaneous

Why do Some Homes Stay Longer on the Market than Others?

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Why do some homes stay on the market longer than others? Generally, price is the biggest factor. Owners who think their home is worth much more than what the market is willing to pay often find themselves listing their homes for months or even years to no avail. Even though the owner thinks the home they put so much time, energy and sweat equity into may be worth a million bucks, if the majority of homes nearby are all selling in a particular range, the owner would sell his or her home faster by dropping the asking price to a more reasonable amount.

There are, of course, other reasons homes may linger on the market. Besides price, there’s appearance. If there are two similar homes in a neighborhood, priced similarly, the one that’s better looking (or more “up-to-date”) is likely to sell faster. Curb appeal matters a lot, after all. People want to buy a nice looking place, preferably updated to today’s standards. And just like people dress up to look their best for a first date, a home’s front yard needs to look its best. Has the lawn been mowed or not? Is there paint peeling on the window shutters? Did a gutter become loose? Are there more weeds than flowers in the garden? These “little things” matter!

The interior of a home also matters. Some people, for whatever reason, refuse to make any stylistic upgrades to their homes. When potential buyers walk in to see stained old rugs, cabinetry from the 1970s, and appliances that haven’t been changed since the Nixon administration, they’re not going to be too eager to buy the place. Also, if a place appears cluttered, that can deter buyers as well.

Finally, things like an older roof can contribute to a home not selling quickly… people worry they’ll have to replace an old roof, which can tack on $10,000 or more– an expense they may not want.

If you’re having issues selling your home in Western New York, contact Donna Littlefield for help today.

Things First Time Homebuyers Should Know

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Buying your first house is a big deal. It’s also not something you do everyday. Before you take the plunge and buy your first house, there are plenty of things to consider.

First, it’s all about the money, isn’t it? It comes down to this: how much can you afford? Think about how much money you have saved up over the years. Then talk with mortgage brokers to see what options are available to help finance your purchase. Factor in other costs, such as yearly taxes. Some homes can have taxes that are cheap– say, $600 a year– while others, especially if they’re near water like the Niagara River, can have taxes over $10,000 a year. Do some calculations and come up with the best price range for your situation. Most first time homebuyers around Western New York tend to pick homes in the $70,000 to $159,000 range.

When meeting with a mortgage broker to discuss buying a house, they’re going to want to know your credit score. The higher the score the less risk you pose to them. In other words, they don’t mind lending money to people with high credit scores because it’s easily assumed they’ll get paid back on-time and in-full. So, if you have a “low” credit score, it’s time to stop buying things you don’t need using your credit card. Pay down your debt. That can help improve your credit score, and you’ll want to aim for this months in advance before talking with a mortgage broker.

Since buying a house involves a big amount of time, money and sweat, it’s best to consult with a realtor. He or she knows more about the process of buying a house than you do. Their expertise, especially at negotiation, can prove invaluable when buying a home. It’s better to have a realtor as your trusted advocate than to go it alone.

Also, consider having the home inspected before you buy it. This way you know, for sure, if there are any problems with it that could/should be fixed before you take ownership. You’re better safe than sorry– an inspection report gives you a detailed idea of exactly what you’re getting into!

Take time to familiarize yourself with real estate terminology so you’re not ignorant. For instance, look up the terms “down payment,” “closing costs,” and “real estate comps” using Google.com so you’re informed about the process. Real estate, like sports, has its own language/jargon.

For help buying your first home in Western New York, don’t hesitate to connect with real estate broker Donna Littlefield. Her number is 716-578-1788 and she specializes in Wheatfield, Pendleton, and Amherst, which are all desirable northern suburbs of Buffalo, New York.

Consider These New Year’s Resolutions In Your Pursuit of Becoming a Homeowner

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New Year’s resolutions are typically made each January, usually regarding jobs and weight loss, right? But what about those who want to accomplish something as big as becoming a homeowner? What are some New Year’s resolutions you can make to help you become a successful homeowner?

New Year’s Resolutions First things first: buying a home is a considerable financial investment. Therefore, you have to resolve to get into the habit of saving money rather than spending it on things you don’t really need. Here’s an small but good way to combat having to buy everything you see in a store that you like; wait a day and sleep on it, and if you determine the next day it’s something you “really need,” then get it, otherwise set that money aside for your savings account.

Related to the idea of saving money is this: build your credit history, repair damage to it, and get out of debt this year. By making payments on-time and in-full, you’re going to look attractive to mortgage lenders. They appreciate people with high credit scores– it tells them you’re “safe” to work with, because they see you can pay your bills!

Resolve to get to the point where your income is exceeding your expenses, such that you have enough money in the bank as a “cushion.” For instance, buying a house is a big investment, right? But it also requires maintenance, taxes, and unexpected problems that’ll need money to solve. Therefore, if you can start a “home maintenance” bank account where you put money away toward future needs, that’s a smart idea. You have to plan and prepare for expenses that come with owning and maintaining a house.

Finally, for the fun of it, make this year the year you learn how to do some “fix-it” things where you currently live. This could involve taking a book out from the library, watching YouTube videos, or asking a friend/relative to teach you how to do minor repairs. Learn some valuable new skills so eventually you don’t have to pay a lot of money for a professional repair person to come to your house charging $100 just to show up!

If you’re house hunting in Western New York, contact Donna Littlefield with any questions you have.

Things to Do in WNY this Holiday Season

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Things to do in Western New York Western New York is the kind of place that’s magical during the Christmas season. When the snow comes– and it almost always does– there’s something so beautiful about being outside in it, whether you’re hanging up twinkling lights across your front yard trees and bushes or taking a walk at an area tree farm looking for the perfect Christmas tree.

Have you ever been to Jurek Plantations this time of year? The Jurek Family has been raising and selling Christmas trees for three generations. They have three area locations where you can either cut-your-own tree or get a pre-cut one to take home. A lot of people opt for the fun of cutting their own tree down, and why not? It’s the kind of thing that makes the season memorable! Pre-cuts are available at 9170 Transit Road in East Amherst, while you can go into the woods and cut-your-own at 6600 Strickler Rd. in Clarence or 11370 Hunts Corners Rd. in Akron. Visit http://www.jurekplantations.com/ for details.

While a nice, quiet walk in the country is great this time of year, Western New York is also fortunate to have lively Ice at Canalside in downtown Buffalo near the waterfront. Bring your own ice skates or rent some there, with open skating available for countless hours during most of December. While there, check out the “ice bikes” if you can– something different, for sure. You’ll want to check the Canalside website before your visit for details: https://www.canalsidebuffalo.com/

As for music concerts and plays, December is chock full of holiday themed events. See A Christmas Carol on stage at Buffalo’s Alleyway Theatre, hear the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus perform a Classical Christmas concert at Kleinhans Music Hall, or scroll through the many other fun things to see and do here: http://buffalo.kidsoutandabout.com/category/activity-type/performance

Though the weather may turn a bit frightful, there’s plenty of delightful things to see and do around Western New York this holiday season.

Reasons to Live in Western New York

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Suburban LifeAs a realtor in Western New York, Donna Littlefield helps people find homes in nice areas where there are good schools, closeby amenities, and lush, verdant yards that are the envy of people in the dry Southwest.

More and more people are discovering that Western New York has a lot of good stuff going for it, making it an attractive place to live.

First, Western New York has history and some grit. Western New York has a nice mix of old and new neighborhoods that seem “genuine.” Indeed, people remark that there’s a real “sense of place” in Western New York. It’s not all cookie-cutter. People in WNY have roots. They’re generally known to be “good neighbors,” especially when there’s a snowstorm and you need help digging your car out.

One of the reasons WNY gets a lot of snow is because of “Lake Effect.” When Lake Erie doesn’t freeze over, water from the lake gets picked up in the cold air and turned into snow. In general, the snowiest parts of Western New York are not in the Northtowns (like Wheatfield, Amherst, Pendleton), but, rather, in the Southtowns, south of Buffalo. That’s where the ski resorts are, so if you like to ski, they’re just an hour drive away from the metro area.

Speaking of Lake Erie, WNY is blessed with abundant fresh water, which is good for boating, fishing, swimming and more. Besides Lake Erie, there’s Lake Ontario, the Niagara River, the Erie Canal, and plenty of other lakes, rivers, ponds and streams. And unlike Florida, there are no alligators in them. Also, unlike the ocean, there are no sharks in them– bonus!

If you like attending live theater, Western New York has more theaters per capita than most places, so you can see plenty of shows. There are also over 65 art galleries in the region, including the renowned Albright Knox Art Gallery. Perhaps best of all is the abundance of free concerts and festivals in the summertime around Western New York.

Education is very important to Western New Yorkers, and there are plenty of great school systems, like Starpoint and Williamsville, educating young minds. There are also plenty of area colleges and universities, as well as libraries.

You can’t mention Buffalo without mentioning “The Bills.” The Buffalo Bills are like a religion around Western New York. Even if you’re not a fan, you kind of have to be a fan, since “The Bills” really do unite people each Fall and Winter. Plus, The Buffalo Sabres hockey team is beloved by Western New York fans.

Finally, one of the reasons Western New York is a great place to live is affordability. Compared to other places around the USA, the Buffalo area is a bargain. What might cost you $350,000 elsewhere could be $100,000 here.

Want to find a great place to live in Western New York? Give realtor Donna Littlefield a call today at 716-578-1788.

Starpoint Central School District Continues to Draw Rave Reviews

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School DistrictsPeople typically move somewhere to be near good jobs and/or good schools. If you have kids, you most likely want them to attend reputable schools where they’ll get the best education possible, right?

When looking to move to a new place “for the schools,” you should consider places where children are used to/known for excelling. In other words, you want to put your kids into schools that have an expectation of success, where getting an “A” is encouraged and academics are taken seriously. Look for districts who care about art, music and sports, too, which help “round out” the educational experience.

The Starpoint Central School District, which covers the Towns of Pendleton, Cambria, Lockport, Wheatfield and Royalton, serves about 7,000 students. Dr. Sean M. Croft is the Superintendent, a role he recently stepped into after serving for nine years as the assistant Superintendent of Instruction, Assessment and Staff Development. Under his leadership, Starpoint continues its rich tradition of academic excellence and community support.

Indeed, Starpoint is a school district on the rise, ranked eighth highest performing school district in Western New York. For the record, it went from number 26 in 2011 to number 8 in 2015.

What makes Starpoint stand out from the competition? They place an emphasis on supporting students throughout their whole educational experience and family involvement is key. The schools are community hubs, and people are friendly toward one another. Of course, Starpoint owes a lot of its success to its teachers. There’s an attitude of continuous improvement in the district, with more STEM classes being offered in order to meet the needs of jobs young people will seek after they complete their studies.

Realtor Donna Littlefield can help you find the right house for your family with school-aged kids so they’ll attend Starpoint schools. With offerings in Wheatfield and Pendleton, call Littlefield today at 716-578-1788.