Welcome to Western New York Gabby and Joe

Moving is never easy.  Moving from down the road or across town is tough enough, but moving from out of state is even harder.  There are questions about neighborhoods, schools, parks, shopping, entertainment, and many more things to consider – all of which are unfamiliar.

When I got a call to help Gabby and her fiancé Joe find a home in Western New York, I knew right away that they were going to need some help not only in finding a house, but getting acclimated to the area.  They had already seen houses online that they thought they would be interested in, but didn’t really know the areas or neighborhoods they were in.  After spending time with them, I learned some of the things they like to do in their free time and what was going to be important around the house.  Safety was important, as was recreation and being close to parks and work.  Growing up in the Amherst Williamsville area, I have a good familiarity with the subdivisions and neighborhoods that make up one of the safest towns in America.  We targeted our search based on the criteria they were looking for in a house and the areas around town we thought would lend to their lifestyle.

I’m happy to congratulate them on the purchase of their new home.  I’m glad I was able to help them through the process of moving from Illinois to Amherst.  Welcome home Gabby and Joe – I know you’ll be happy here!

Bryan’s First House

I recently had the honor and pleasure of helping Bryan with the purchase of his first home.

Bryan’s father contacted me to let me know that his son was talking about buying a house and needed an experienced professional to help him out.  Bryan has been working for the Village of Lancaster and due to the residency requirements of his position, needed to reside within the Village.  I was more than happy to lend my experience of working with first time home buyers and my market knowledge of the Lancaster area to help Bryan achieve his goals.

We began the process with a strategy meeting so I could get a better understanding of what Bryan was looking for.  I encouraged him to make sure we include his parents and girlfriend Courtney right from the start of the process so we all were working off the same plan.  After the meeting, the search was on!  It wasn’t long before I was negotiating on Bryan’s behalf on a great home in the Village of Lancaster on a quiet street.  The house has everything he was looking for including a nice sized backyard.

Congratulations on your first home Bryan!  I couldn’t be happier for you and wish you many years of happiness.  I’m privileged I was able to help and can’t thank your father enough for knowing I would take good care of you!

Darien Lake Concert Series 2014

Get ready for some summer musical fun in Western New York with the Darien Lake Concert Series.  Listed below are the acts scheduled to perform this year.

July 2 – Fall Out Boy & Paramore with New Politics

July 3 – Brad Paisley with Randy Houser, Leah Turner, and more

July 8 – Warped Tour

July 12 – Jason Aldean with Florida Georgia Line, Tyler Farr

July 13 – Bad Company & Lynyrd Skynyrd

July 25 – Kieth Urban with Jerrod Niemann, Brett Eldredge

July 29 – Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival

3 Reasons to Speak with Your Real Estate Professional Today

1. Get the scoop on your local real estate market.
   • Although national statistics may give you an overview of the overall housing market, as a professional real estate agent, I can provide in-depth information about our local market.
2. Find out how much your home is worth.
   • I have the expertise to give you an accurate assessment of your home’s value.  I’m also happy to offer tips to help you improve its condition before you list it.
3. Professional insight into your real estate questions.
   • I will gladly answer your questions about the real estate market, or connect you with a lending professional in my business network.

Contact me to learn more about the local housing market, and about buying a new home or selling your current one.

 

Western New York School District Rankings in 2014

Business First has rated the academic performance of 97 public school districts in the eight counties of Western New York, based on four years of test data from the New York State Education Department.  The top 14 districts earned more than 90 points on Business First’s 100-point scale, thereby qualifying for the Honor Roll.

Williamsville remains the No. 1 school district in Western New York, although the competition is narrowing the gap.  This is the 11th straight year — and the 14th time in 23 years — that the Williamsville Central School District has occupied first place in Business First’s rankings. No other district has topped the annual standings more than five times.

Runner-up East Aurora has ranked among the six best districts every year since 1997, but has never climbed all the way to first place. It’s closer to that goal now than ever before, trailing Williamsville by just 0.18 points on Business First’s 100-point rating scale.

Third in this year’s district standings is Clarence followed by Iroquois and Orchard Park.

The Honor Roll Districts:

1. Williamsville
2. East Aurora
3. Clarence
4. Iroquois
5. Orchard Park
6. Lancaster
7. Bemus Point
8. Amherst
9. Lewiston Porter
10. Hamburg
11. Grand Island
12. Akron
13. Starpoint
14. Alfred-Almond

Summer Concerts in Western New York

Summer in Western New York is always great fun with lots to do.  Listed below are the summer concerts that are taking place in WNY.

Lancaster NY Summer Events

The summer event season is starting to heat up in Western New York and the Village of Lancaster has some great events lined up this summer.  Below is a short list of some of the activities that are planned along with dates and times.

Independence Days

Wednesday, July 2nd – 6:00pm – 11:00pm

Thursday, July 3rd – 12:00pm – 11:00pm

Friday, July 4th – 8:00am – 11:00pm

Saturday, July 5th – 1:00pm – 11:00pm

Sunday, July 6th – 1:00pm – 9:00pm

Enjoy the rides, beer tent and other activities in the Save-A-Lot Parking Lot.  Don’t forget about the parade on July 4th down Pleasant Avenue from Court Street and South on Central Avenue.

Lancaster Village Garden Walk

Friday, July 8th – 8:45pm – 11:00pm

Saturday, July 19th – 10:00am – 4:30pm

Sunday, July 20th – 10:00am – 4:30pm

A self guided tour of gardens at homes throughout the Village and Town of Lancaster.

American Red Cross Scholarship Blood Drive

Wednesday, July 23rd – 1:00pm – 7:00pm

Lancaster Elks Lodge – 33 Legion Parkway, Lancaster, NY 14086

Taste of Lancaster – 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament

Saturday, August 2nd – 11:00am – 9:00pm

• Firefighters for Food 5K Race at 9:00am
• 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament begins at 8:00am
• Lancaster’s Got Talent – 12:00pm – 4:00pm

Another can’t miss event in Lancaster on Central Avenue.

Arts in the Village

Saturday, August 30th – 10:00am – 4:00pm

“Light Up Lancaster” Holiday Tree Lighting

Saturday, November 29th – 5:00pm – 9:00pm

Christmasville

November 29th – January 1st

Marcey Has A New Home

Congratulations and Thank You to Marcey! She closed on her new home yesterday and I was honored to have had the opportunity to be her Realtor. Marcey’s path to homeownership wasn’t always smooth, but we (along with her boyfriend Dan) remained focused on the goal. After looking in a few different areas, we focused on a couple neighborhoods – particularly in Tonawanda.
Marcey and Dan were a true pleasure to work for. They remained positive through the whole process and we shared a few jokes and a few cups of coffee along the way. I wish them (and of course cat Brodie) many years of health and happiness in their new home.

Chris Voigt’s June Real Estate e-newsletter

You know that one of the things I like most about my job is helping people enjoy their homes.  The most obvious way I do that, of course, is by helping people buy and sell properties. But I also help people by answering questions about the local market in general and specifically about how much homes in the area have sold for.  It’s not unusual for me to get a call from someone who wants to know what the house down the street from them sold for or what their house will sell for in today’s market. I also often get calls asking me to recommend a good contractor or other “home” professionals. It’s no secret that I have a great network of professional service providers that I connect my clients to when they are buying or selling a home.  But I also know many people in the home maintenance business as well.  Since I’m so well-connected, I can usually provide a few names.  If you or someone you know needs a good referral, please let me know. In addition to my real estate knowledge and expertise, I also like to share information on other topics.  As we all know, Father’s Day is June 15th this year.  But did you know that there are a few lesser known holidays in the month of June? June 6th – National Yo-Yo Day Donald F. Duncan helped popularize the Yo-Yo.  Invented by Pedro Flores in the late 1920’s, the Yo-Yo didn’t hit the mainstream until Duncan purchased Flores’ Toy Company and mass-produced the circular piece of plastic and string, and introduced it to the world. June 10th – Ballpoint Pen Day Just for a day, celebrate the gravity-dependent ink dispenser we know as the ballpoint pen.  Try and get through a day without one. June 17th – National Eat Your Vegetables Day Sure to be a crowd favorite with the kids. June 21st – World Handshake Day Get your hand sanitizer ready.  You will likely be exchanging palm sweat with a lot of people on this day. June 28th – Insurance Awareness Day Need a contact for Homeowner’s Insurance? Have fun celebrating all there is to enjoy about the month of June.  If there’s any way I can help you enjoy your home more, give me a call!   Christian Voigt Licensed Real Estate Salesperson Assistant Manager – Williamsville Realty USA 914 Maple Road Williamsville, NY  14221 716-345-5251 cvoigt@realtyusa.com Go “Like” my Facebook page Oh, by the way…if you know of someone who would appreciate the kind of service I provide, please call me with their name and business number. I’ll be happy to follow up and take great care of them.     Make Your Home Show Better It’s no secret in the real estate world that the more attractive your home looks to potential buyers, the more likely it will be to sell quickly and for a good price. So, obviously, you want to do everything you can to ensure your home “shows” well. But before you invest in a major renovation or other costly improvements – which may not be necessary – consider these low-cost tips first. Paint. This is the easiest and most cost-effective way to make a room or other area of your home look bright and new. Potted flowers. Flowers always brighten up a space. And if they’re potted, you can place them anywhere – in the foyer, outside the front door, even on the back deck. New mats. Mats get worn and stained so easily. Place new mats at all entranceways. Obvious repairs. A squeaky fence gate. A dripping faucet. A broken floor tile. People notice. Get these repaired. Upgraded lighting. Improve the lighting in key areas of your home, such as the basement, which tends to be darker. These tips won’t cost much and are relatively easy to implement. Yet, they can have a dramatic affect on how well your home shows. Want more home selling tips? Call today.   It’s All About Personal Service In Real Estate, it’s understood that personalized service really makes a difference. That’s why you are entitled to expect value-added, cost-free information and advice on real estate subjects that interest you. Here are a few examples of topics you might find worthwhile: Financial and market trends Neighborhood property activity Renovations and décor ideas Taxation and other municipal issues If you want to be kept “up to speed” on a particular real estate issue, just call to make an appointment to set up a monitoring program that’s right for you. Here’s how it works: You define the issues that are most meaningful to you. We discuss the best approach to address your questions and concerns, and determine the most appropriate method of reporting. We review your options on a regular or “as needed” basis, and you determine the information and response method you prefer. Simply put, if you express personal interest in the Real Estate market, you deserve to receive the information that is most valuable to you.   Is It A Mountain? Or A Molehill? There’s an old expression: Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill. It refers, of course, to putting a problem or issue in the right perspective. Some things just aren’t worth worrying that much about – the molehills. However, there are other things that you do need to be concerned about – the mountains. What does all this have to do with buying a home? It’s difficult to find a property on the market that is absolutely perfect and has no issues what-so-ever. Even if you find a home that you fall in love with and that meets all your requirements, there are bound to be one or two areas of concern. That’s normal. The trick is to determine whether a particular concern is a mountain or a molehill. For example, say you want a home with four bedrooms, but find one with three. That may seem like a big problem. But if you look closer, you may find that one of the rooms in the finished basement can easily be converted into a comfortable spare bedroom. That particular issue is really a molehill, and shouldn’t prevent you from putting that home on your shortlist. On the other hand, say you want a home in a nice neighborhood with local parks for your kids and a sidewalk out front. If a property you’re considering doesn’t have those features, you might not think it’s a serious issue. But consider how difficult it will be to take young kids for a walk and decide where you think they’ll play. You may actually have a mountain in front of you. So, when shopping for a home, you need to understand which are minor issues that can be easily dealt with, and which are major issues that will seriously impact your enjoyment of the home. That’s where a good Realtor® can help. Call today!   notable, quotable… quotes! “Whenever you do a thing, act as if all the world were watching.”  Thomas Jefferson “Experience is one thing you can’t get for nothing.” Oscar Wilde “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” Theodore Roosevelt Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. ©IXACT Contact Solutions Inc.