Michael Olear of the Olear Realty Group Inc., a Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker with MJ Peterson Real Estate, was recently named the 2016 recipient of the Network in Aging Dr. Evan Calkin’s Meritorious Service Award. The award was presented during the organization’s 36th annual meeting and conference on Nov. 2.
Olear has dedicated many years of service to Network in Aging’s Board of Directors and has also served as Communications Committee co-chair. He offers a special service and assistance to the older adult population, their families and professionals in the field of aging via his real estate business. Olear also volunteers at his church, at the Night People drop-in center, and is a board member and frequent mentor for the UB School of Management – Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL) Alumni Association.
Olear and his team have developed two original services for older adults and families called Older Owner Care and Executor’s Choice. Through these programs he helps families develop a plan not only for preparation of the house and its contents for sale, but also a timetable for all related events.
Network in Aging of WNY, Inc. was founded in 1981 by a network of people committed to improving the quality of life for older persons in Western New York. The Network is a nonprofit, voluntary corporation which brings together individuals and organizations involved in aging and long-term care.
Additionally, the UB School of Management included Olear among their “Most Engaged Alumni” for 2016 at their 67th annual awards dinner on Nov. 1. Olear and 50 others were honored for their willingness to volunteer their time and other resources to UB and the School of Management.
A June 2016 report from the Buffalo Niagara Association of Realtors informs us that halfway through the current year, residential real estate markets in our area are performing as predicted at the beginning of the year. Closed sales and median sales prices have been going up in many areas, while the number of homes for sale and total months’ supply of inventory have been going down.
Meanwhile, many sellers have been getting a higher percentage of their asking price, and supply continues to struggle to meet demand.
The key point here is that the “closed sales” statistics continue to improve, an indication of a strong real estate environment. There are many exciting things happening in Buffalo and Western New York, and a healthy real estate market is keeping pace!
The world’s largest rubber duck made its way to Canalside in Buffalo last weekend for a three-day waterfront visit that drew approximately 100,000 people. Combine this with the increasing popularity of Canalside and its many restaurants and attractions, a Buffalo Bisons baseball game and a concert at the arena Saturday night, and we were left with something that has rarely occurred in the past … a traffic nightmare in downtown Buffalo!
While some changes are in the works, such as converting one-way streets into two-way thoroughfares, maybe it’s time to begin thinking outside the box. Has the time come for Buffalo to consider adding a people mover?
A people mover is an elevated light rail system that stops at numerous popular locations and runs seven days a week. Because it’s elevated, it is unencumbered by vehicle and pedestrian traffic, making it a quick and efficient way to move people in and out of the busy downtown area. Many major metropolitan areas across the country and around the world already have them in place, so the template is already there.
While a people mover may be many years away, public transportation is another way to alleviate our growing traffic concerns. In Niagara Falls, Ontario, for example, WeGo buses are a great way to get around the city and see the sights while leaving your car behind. The buses travel a 19-mile loop all day, and guests can hop on or off as often as they’d like for one low price. Electric-powered trams featuring infotainment systems. Detachable cars. Transit signal prioritization. These aren’t space age ideas. The future is now.
While no one likes getting stuck in traffic, this is actually a good problem to have. It means that downtown Buffalo has once again become a destination! Now, how can we make it even better?
The Olear Team would like to congratulate the 34 entrepreneurs who recently graduated from the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL) Core program in the University at Buffalo School of Management.
Michael Olear, licensed real estate broker and member of the Olear Team at MJ Peterson, serves as chairman of the CEL Core program’s Alumni Association and had the honor of speaking to the graduates on the topic of entrepreneurship and leadership.
Established in 1987, the CEL provides participants with individualized and interactive education in entrepreneurship. More than 1,300 CEL alumni employ more than 22,000 Western New Yorkers, and their businesses are worth more than $2 billion to the local economy!
Summers in Western New York are full of free concerts, festivals and events. Don’t miss one, thanks to the summer concert calendar provided courtesy of the Olear Team at MJ Peterson.
Preparing your home for sale may entail a little elbow grease to get the place into tip-top shape, or pretty close to it. But some of those repairs may require expensive tools that you don’t have and simply don’t want to invest in. There is an alternative — the University Heights Tool Library!
According to its website — www.thetoollibrary.org — the Tool Library is a nonprofit program set up to lend tools out to community members to help them maintain and fix up their homes and gardens. Tools can range anywhere from hammers, screwdrivers and shovels to power drills, circular saws and sanders. Open to homeowners and renters in Buffalo and surrounding areas, annual membership in this innovative community beautification program is just $10!
And speaking of the University Heights neighborhood, the University Heights Collaborative is another community based group of residents working together to maintain and enhance the quality of life in their neighborhood. Organizational committees include beautification, business involvement, communication, Neighborhood Watch and landlord outreach. More information can be found on their website at http://ourheights.org.
Western New York is fortunate to have such progressive community organizations that truly take an interest in keeping our neighborhoods beautiful by fostering cooperation and collaboration among neighbors. When everyone pitches in, everyone wins, and housing prices increase as a result!
For more information on readying your house for sale, please contact The Olear Team today!
