Selling Homes in Western New York, Turning Key Realty Broker, Terri Kern

There are currently 7 homes for sale priced above $300,000 in Lockport, NY. They range from 3,568 to 6,500 square feet. Prices range from $374,900 to $499,900. Four of them are located in the Town of Lockport and 3 are located in the City of Lockport.

Over the last year only one home has sold in this price range. It was listed for $349,900 and sold for #325,000

I'm simply amazed at these results. Lockport has so much to offer the homeowner; lower tax rates, great country club, parks, golf courses, art galleries, erie canal, wineries, bed and breakfasts, full service hotels, fishing, farmers market, fine dining restaurants, diners, shopping, schools, historic palace theatre and much more!

Lockport is located in the center of Niagara County, roughly 18 miles east of Niagara Falls

Less than 30 miles from downtown Buffalo, 12 miles to East Amherst, and 8 miles to Clarence.

If you are thinking of buying a home in the suburbs, don't overlook the great things the Suburbs of Lockport has to offer. Give us a call, we would like to tell you more about the great homes for sale in Lockport, NY.

Terri Kern, Licensed Real Estate Broker,
Turning Key Realty
716-688-4900

It's still a great time to buy. The mortgage rates continue to be extremely low and can help get you in that new home.

View local Western New York Sales Stats at: http://turningkeyrealty.com/blog and search for your next Western New York home for sale at: http://turningkeyrealty.com/search_listings1 If you would like to receive a monthly update with What's Going On in The Neighborhoods of Western New York Sales let us know. We would be happy to add you to our mailing list. http://turningkeyrealty.com/contact

Just south of Buffalo lies a historic community of 27,000 people called
Orchard Park which some might call the Town of Many Names.

Originally settled by Quakers in 1803, Orchard Park's first life as a municipality actually was as part of nearby Hamburg, breaking off as a sovereign community in 1850. Renamed "Town of Ellicott," the newly independent community took its name from Joseph Ellicott of the Holland Land Company, who was instrumental in establishing the early real estate market there, bringing hundreds, if not thousands, to the area. Within months, the name was changed curiously to the "Town of East Hamburg," and only acquired its contemporary moniker of Orchard Park less than 75 years ago.

Designated as one of the historic villages of "The Southtowns," Orchard Park survived a massive fire in the early 1900's to emerge with many important historic landmarks thankfully intact. These include an old Quaker meeting house, a log structure reported to be the first church structure erected in Erie County, as well as the library developed by Philanthropist Harry Yates. The still functioning library, just three years shy of its centennial celebration.

Yates saw what other such as well-known Quaker Jacob Lindley described as an "uncultivated part of nature's garden" in Orchard Park. The rolling hills and mature trees lent themselves to a pastoral, tranquil alternative to the larger metropolitan areas, as it still does today. However, with the benefit of modern transportation, commuters are only minutes form the advantages
a larger city like Buffalo has to offer while still maintaining residence in more serene surroundings.

This is not to suggest that Orchard Park is averse to progress; on the contrary, the town's economic development team is proactive about bringing attractive businesses to the area, providing more rewarding employment options for residents closer to home. With median home prices nearly $90,000 less than the state average, the prospect of getting more real estate for the money is more than a flight of fancy. Currently (May, 2008) there are 123 single
family homes on the market to choose from with 59 of these
homes in our "Luxury Market" of $300,000 and over. If condo or townhome living is for you there are 17 available as of May, 2008.

For those with an urge to travel, Orchard Park enjoys easy access to three major airports, all within sixty miles, as well as two commercial train depots within a dozen miles. One need not wander far from home in Orchard Park, however, to enjoy recreation within verdant natural surroundings, with several public parks and forested areas within the town's limits.

For a relatively small community, Orchard Park also boasts its share of educational amenities. With ten public grade schools, nine public or private colleges and universities and a handful of private schools in town, parents have many options to meet their children's needs.

Many people talk about getting away to a more peaceful way of
life. The town of Orchard Park may just be the place you've been
dreaming about. Come and let me show you around!

Terri Kern, Associate Broker
Hunt Real Estate, ERA
Western New York Real Estate
Direct Phone: 716-622-2251
www.GetFreeCMA.com

Driving around showing homes this week was a real delight for me. I couldn't help but notice that everywhere you look the trees are green and the blossoms abound. I felt like I have been living in a black and white world compared to the beauty that is surrounding me now. It has been a long winter and it is such a good feeling to see that spring has finally sprung for us. People are out walking, mowing lawns, cleaning up their yards and real estate signs are going up, up, up! After plowing through the snow and ice this is a welcome season to those of us living here in Western New York. People are eager to get out and go house hunting and the moderatly priced homes that are on the market and priced right are moving! It's nice to look forward to going out to show and list homes vs. checking the weather to see if you are going to make it back home. Welcome, welcome, Spring!

The sales data is in for February home sales and our local market continues to remain strong here in Western New York compared to the national scene. We experienced an increase in the average selling price by 3% compared to last February.

236 homes sold in the $100,000 to $200,000 price range. We had 58 homes sell in the $200,000 to $300,000 price range and 39 homes sold in our luxury market of $300,000 and up.

There are a few price ranges that stand out from the rest in the new listing activity in February. First are the homes in the $120,000 to $140,000 price range with 131 new listings added. The second price range are the homes priced at $200,000 to $250,000 with 107 new listings. The third market to watch is the luxury market which increased by 128 homes priced at $300,000 and up.

With this kind of inventory and mortgage interest rates at record lows, it's never been a better time to buy. Although the Federal Reserve has lowered the Federal Funds rate in recent months, many experts believe that for now mortgage rates will hover around the low six percent range. This has created a sense of stability in the market place and there is no doubt this promotes a good buying opportunity.

Seller's should work closely with their Realtor on competitive pricing and other tips such as staging.