Cynthia

I couldn't really answer exactly how many are on this site. I have found that you see many of the same faces on here and I think that they come and go. I have been in and out of this site myself. There are times when a realtor is too busy or has seen many of the same questions and faces over and over again, and take a little break. No one can truly give up Trulia Voices all together. Once it's in ya, it's in ya! - Tue Jan 29 2008, 09:16

I'm so excited that you have found the home you want to buy. Now that you have done that, you need to work with your realtor to put the paperwork together. Your realtor should be able to give you a market analysis of the area your home is located in and they should also be able to assist you in deciding on a beginning offer price and terms. Do you want a home inspection? I always recommend it! You want to make your offer very appealing to the seller, but you also want to ensure your own needs. Your realtor will be able to help you work through this.

Once your written offer is complete, your agent will then present the offer to the seller. The negotiations will go from there. Counter offers (if any), seller signatures, initials. It is a very confusing and exciting time. Rely on your realtor to be your guide!

I wish you all the best. Cynthia - Mon Dec 17 2007, 09:10

Hi, I am surprised that no one has offered you an answer since you posted this question on Dec. 5. I am a realtor in the Williamsville area and am very familiar with that area. I can tell you that the reason any house will sit on the market for that long, is price. Have your realtor do a full market analysis with you. Sit and really investigate that marketplace. to say that these homes are listed around 170K, is fine, but is 170K too high for the square footage?, the condition?, the location? Do the investigations. You will find that the numbers will speak for themselves. I don't know which homes you looked at, but if they have been sitting there and you sense they are too much money, they probably are. Dana Heights is a very nice neighborhood and pricing is definately the key there.

Hope that is helpful, Cynthia - Fri Dec 14 2007, 11:15

Hi Scott, as a realtor living in the Kenmore area, I can tell you that there is not a specific grant program for first time homebuyers in Kenmore. The Erie County grant program stated below is your best bet, however, you must remember that any grant program is going to be income based. You have to make below a certain amount of money in order to qualify. You may also want to consider SONYMA. They too have a loan product that comes with a $5,000 grant attached to it. It actually has a higher income guideline than most of the grant programs, however, the problem with it is that you need to live in the property for a minimum of 10 years to have the grant forgiven. Otherwise you will need to pay a portion of the grant back. There is a Cheektowaga/Amherst grant program available and the University district grant program also extends into part of Amherst. M & T Bank has a good handle on the grants available in our area as well as First Niagara.

I hope this is helpful. Good Luck, Cynthia - Fri Dec 14 2007, 11:09

Quality of living? That is a good question. Buffalo is a wonderful city with diversity, both financially and culturally. The people here are warm and welcoming. I have worked with many families relocating from other parts of the country, and the one thing they always say to me is that they can not believe how nicely they are treated here. We are very neighborly.

The city and suburbs of Buffalo have so much to offer. As stated by Miriam, museums and entertainment galore! The four seasons allow for a variety of indoor and outdoor entertainment. No matter where you live, you can be within minutes of anything you could possibly want to do. Our thruway systems are the best anywhere and yet often times they seem invisible. We can get anywhere fast and yet have the thruways not even noticed in our communities and neighborhoods. We rarely sit in backed up traffic.

The shopping is outstanding and the ability to enter into Canada adds the the entertainment and shopping opportunities. We have beaches that are within minutes.

This is the best of all worlds. If considering a move here, you could not make a better selection.

The best to you!, Cynthia - Fri Dec 14 2007, 11:00