Good news and bad news for mansion owners

by TheOlearTeam | May 20, 2019 | Buffalo, NY Real Estate

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!

Home-sharing regulations are coming to a neighborhood near you

by TheOlearTeam | May 17, 2019 | Buffalo, NY Real Estate

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.

How to Get Your House Ready to Sell – Part 2

by TheOlearTeam | Mar 20, 2019 | Buffalo, NY Real Estate

In part two of our video series “How to Get Your House Ready to Sell,” James Conley talk about Absorption Rate.

Absorption Rate – Don’t get left wet

What is an absorption rate?
When is a market fair between buyers and sellers?
How does this affect my sales price?
How does this affect how long it takes to sell my house?
Pricing Strategy – should you price your home realistically, or is it okay to be more aggressive?
When should I find out about the absorption rate for my home?

How to Get Your House Ready to Sell – Part 1

by TheOlearTeam | Mar 13, 2019 | Buffalo, NY Real Estate

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:

Spring home seller seminar planned for March 16th

by TheOlearTeam | Mar 11, 2019 | Buffalo, NY Real Estate

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: