Real Estate April 24, 2009 4:10 PM

Cheektowaga Foreclosure Tour... now how 'bout Buffalo?

Cheektowaga Foreclosure Tour... now how ‘bout Buffalo?
This one caught our attention in a hurry.  According to Miriam Treger, an agent with Realty USA,  the concept of "foreclosure tours" came from networking with agents out of California who are affiliated with the same national training and coaching organization Realty USA belongs to.  

"As part of our ongoing desire to strive to improve our real estate skills, we belong to an organization that coaches real estate agents from all around the country, as well as Canada," Treger said.  "We did our research and decided we should bring the concept here to Western New York.  We felt it would be a good way to educate our consumers to the foreclosure market as well as help to understand the banking side of the transaction."

Realtor research shows that most people think of foreclosure as just an investment, but professionals in the field are trying to educate clients that foreclosures should be included in the clients' search for a primary residence.  Treger explains that the owner is in financial distress, it does not follow suit that the home is in distress, and lenders obviously don't want to hold a high inventory of real property and manage their well-being and the responsibilities of upkeep.

"We work together with the banks to create a smooth transaction for all parities involved," Treger says. "The costs do vary from lender to lender, but our hope is to show the public how everyone benefits by considering a foreclosed home as part of their search.

The realtors provide the tour bus, and send a packet to each potential buyer defining what a foreclosure is and how they differ from the "usual" purchase.  Treger says, "Everyone benefits as long we take the time to properly educate them on the subject.  Our first tour was a great success and we look forward to the future dates we have scheduled.  We will do a tour each month through November 2009, at which time we will stop for the winter and start up again in the spring."

Would something like this work in the city? Can you imagine if realtors got together and organized these types of packages that would lead people through rebounding neighborhoods? On the tour, visitors could stop off and see the local businesses that are sprouting up... places like Urban Roots and Artspace.  Maybe there are people who would like to revisit old neighborhoods - people who might not take the time to do it on their own. It might behoove a couple of city realtors to take one of these upcoming tours to see how they work.

The next tour takes place on May 2nd, leaving at 10AM from the Realty USA office at 3830 Union Road at George Urban Boulevard.  Approximately 6 homes will be shown, and mortgage officers will be present.  Call 716.846.9401 or register at mcerto@realtyusa.com

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They should do one within the City limits it could be a marathon!

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I just bought a foreclosure home myself. You can get 203k funding as well as grants from various banks and non-profits to help with repairs and other expenses. The good thing is I got a place in a great part of town for way under what similar houses are selling for. The bad news is you have plenty of leg work to do between lawyers and contractors. Also the house goes "as is" meaning if there is a defect that wasnt noticed prior to close Im fU#*ed. The negatives are offset by the satisfaction of tunrning a previously derilict house into a nice home again. It also gave me an opportunity to live in a great part of the city that I thought I was priced out of. If anyone is interested in grants and or financing for this google Homefront Buffalo. Well worth the work.

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Realtors have been getting together and doing tours of Buffalo City housing for years through the Buffalo Niagara Association of Realtors. there have been well attended seminars regarding process and financing followed by great tours of each area of Buffalo. the foreclosure tour is a relatively new idea and is being planned monthly for various areas. thanx for the exposure. we are all in tune about our city strength being of paramount importance to the entire region of Buffalo/ Niagara.

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