If you’re lucky enough to own a mansion in New York State, we have some good news and some bad news for you.
First, the good news: You own a mansion! That must feel great. Congratulations!
Now the bad news: New York State is increasing both the transfer tax and the mansion tax when these multi-million dollar properties are being sold.
Now more good news: Currently, these tax increases are only taking place in cities where the population exceeds one million people. In other words, it’s only impacting the five boroughs of New York City. In case you’re wondering, the population of cities like Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse are all well under 300,000.
Now more bad news: That could always change to include more cities with smaller populations. The state is in debt and needs more revenue streams.
Our advice: Enjoy your mansion. But if you’re thinking of selling, please give The Olear Team a call today!
It’s hard to believe that the home-sharing company Airbnb launched more than 10 years ago! Whether we’re talking about the average homeowner renting out a single room, an apartment above the garage or their entire house, to large scale property managers booking apartments and condos for short-term use, home-sharing has very quickly become a multi-billion dollar industry.
And while Airbnb might have the most name recognition, there are now plenty of competitors on the market such as Tripping.com, HomeToGo, FlipKey, HomeAway, HouseTrip and VayStays.
As you might expect, municipalities are now taking steps to protect both sides of the home-sharing equation — individuals renting out their property on a short-term basis and those looking for an alternative to a hotel stay.
In Western New York, two of our larger municipalities, Buffalo and Amherst, are rolling out new regulations for residents who might be looking to make a buck by renting out their property through home-sharing services.
Among the new regulations, hosts would be required to register their property with their municipality, pay special fees associated with being a rental property, undergo additional safety inspections, obtain short-term rental certification and be subjected to additional taxes.
Done correctly, the home-sharing experience can be a win-win for both the property owner and the consumer seeking a comfortable or convenient place to stay on a short-term basis. But before you decide to put your toe into the home-sharing waters, you should do your homework and contact both town/city and county officials to see what regulations are in place in your community. For more information, please contact The Olear Team today.
One of the most confusing examples of jargon that people encounter when buying or selling a home is NRTC. So what does this actually mean?
Literally NRTC means Not Represented To Code. This is used most often when describing a wood burning or gas fireplace or a wood stove.
The Buffalo/Niagara Board of Realtors and the Bar Association decided many years ago that they would always utilize this phrase as boiler plate in a contract of sale because even if a fireplace is safe to use, it could potentially be out of compliance with the current building code in a particular township. For instance, the firebox dimensions have changed over the years.
Fireplaces that are checked and maintained regularly may actually be out of conformity with current building code. Although these are totally safe to use and documented as such, they do not comply with code.
To protect sellers and realtors, this NRTC phrase came into use nearly three decades ago.
One of the many conversation we have with out clients is “How to get your House Ready to Sell.” In part of one of this series, we talk about the best one thing to do to get your house ready to sell.
In the video Michael Olear discusses the one thing he tells most sellers to do when he discusses how to get your house ready to sell. In WNY most people use their side door or rear door to enter or leave their house. However, most homes we’re built with front entry in mind and this is the best method of entry when selling a house.
Old metro newspapers laying around, spider webs, holidays lights, dirt and worn out paint are all detriments. Be sure to freshen up / paint the door, trim and clean up as well.
A buyers first impression begins here, so it’s critical to start off on a positive note. NAR cost vs benefit study identifies the front entry as always returning over 100% of investment.
Watch part 1 of our video series with Michael Olear below:
Michael Olear, a licensed real estate broker from The Olear Team at MJ Peterson Real Estate, will host a spring home seller seminar at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 16, in the Hyatt Place-Amherst, 5020 Main St., Amherst.
Topics to be covered include:
How to achieve maximum value in the shortest period of time.
Selling your house “as is.”
Stimulating multiple offers.
How to sell and buy at the same time.
What upgrades give you the highest return on investment.
How to obtain bridge financing.
Items a home inspector look will look at.
How do you make sure your buyer is qualified.
Light refreshments will be served. To reserve a seat, please call 880-4442 or email info@olear.com.
Two seminars for spring home sellers and one for new home buyers, all offered by Michael Olear, a licensed real estate broker from The Olear Team at MJ Peterson Real Estate, are scheduled to take place in the Northtowns.
Spring home seller seminars will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 2 and 16, in the Hyatt Place-Amherst, 5020 Main St., Amherst. Topics to be covered include:
How to achieve maximum value in the shortest period of time.
Selling your house “as is.”
Stimulating multiple offers.
How to sell and buy at the same time.
What upgrades give you the highest return on investment.
How to obtain bridge financing.
Items a home inspector look will look at.
How do you make sure your buyer is qualified.
The new home buyer seminar is scheduled from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, in the KeyBank branch at 2030 Sheridan Drive, Tonawanda. Topics will include the mortgage process, available products and options, and understanding your credit score. A lending officer will also be on hand to answer questions.
Light refreshments will be available. To reserve a seat, please call 880-4442 or email info@olear.com.
Olear is a licensed real estate broker with 30 years of experience. He has specialized in helping older adults with their real estate needs since 1999. The Olear Realty Group, Inc. is organized as a sub chapter S corporation and supports the Olear Team/MJ Peterson Corporation in the sale of residential real estate throughout Erie and Niagara County. The team has decades of experience in meeting the real estate needs of Western New York residents. Visit olear.com to learn more about the Olear Team’s work assisting older adults and their families.
Michael Olear, a licensed real estate broker and lead broker of
Olear Team/MJ Peterson Real Estate, was the recipient of the Buffalo Niagara
Association of Realtors’ Realtor Associate of the Year Award presented on Jan.
11 during a BNAR event at the Hotel Henry in Buffalo.
With more than 30 years of real estate experience, Olear is an
alumnus of the University at Buffalo School of Management – CEL and also holds
a master’s degree in social work from UB.
The Olear Team provides personalized, exceptional service for all
aspects of residential real estate in Western New York. The team works
throughout Erie and Niagara counties with a specific concentration in the City
of Buffalo, Amherst, Clarence, Orchard Park and Tonawanda.
The company size and structure allows Olear to focus the majority
of his time on doing what he loves to do: Helping home sellers through life’s
transitions. If requested, he assists with planning and implementing all
associated decisions including sale of personal property, staging and
de-cluttering.
Additionally, Olear has specialized in assisting older adults
with real estate sales since 2000 and has facilitated hundreds of these moves.
In addition to providing hands-on, compassionate service for his clients, The
Olear Team has also developed a dynamic maximum value marketing system used for
every house they sell. For more information on Michael Olear and The Olear
Team, please visit olear.com.
The purpose of the Realtor Associate of the Year Award is to
acknowledge the outstanding contribution of a Realtor Associate to the real
estate industry, their community and the Buffalo Niagara Association of
Realtors, Inc. Award criteria is based on local, state and national Realtor
Association activity, civic involvement, and business accomplishments and
standards. For more information on the Buffalo Niagara Association of Realtors,
please visit bnar.org.
Four Steps to Simplify; Right-Sizing Your Life is the subject of
two free seminars to be offered by Michael Olear, president of the Olear Realty
Group, Inc. and a Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker with The Olear Team/MJ
Peterson Real Estate.
You’d love to find a place that’s the right size for you, but what do you do with all of your stuff? Olear, who has 32 years of real estate experience, will offer a simple, step-by-step approach to preparing for a move. Topics to be covered include:
What are the components of a successful plan?
How can you reduce the stress and simplify the process?
What questions do you need to ask estate sale professionals?
Is the real estate market better for buyers or sellers right now?
What requirements are imposed by banks, buyers and municipalities when you sell?
How do you sell for the highest possible price in the shortest time period?
Seminars will be offered at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 23 and 2 p.m. Friday, March 1, at Brookdale Kenmore Enhanced Assisted Living, 2971 Delaware Ave., Kenmore. The events are free and light refreshments will be served. For reservations, please call 880-4442.
