Hunt Real Estate Cleans House
Associate Broker and Branch Leader, Bret Llewellyn, was at the new headquarters today and shared his thoughts about the hi-profile move. "Hunt has never had such a big presence in the city as it does now. It is our intention to embrace the neighborhood. We looked hard for a location that thirty agents could be part of everyday activities. These are the people that shop and drink coffee... lots of coffee. We want our perspective clients to see what a vibrant neighborhood this is, and we want them to become familiar with the restaurants and the stores that they will live near. Peter Hunt (owner) is going to invest $200,000 into this storefront, and that includes replacing the three original windows on the Breckenridge side, landscaping the perimeter, adding an awning, repaving the parking lot, and redoing the entire interior. This is going to be a showcase building once again. Peter lives in the city and wants to make it the best that he can. We're already planning on being part of the festivals, and we are going to host ice cream socials and will bring in popcorn machines for special events. Some of our lead agents live within walking distance... this is their neighborhood and we're going to run a class act here. We're getting phone calls all the time from people who are looking to move into the city. We're selling the Elmwood neighborhood... actually Elmwood sells itself. The interest is moving further into the West Side now. The range of where people are considering buying is starting to widen. There are people who are even buying multiple properties together... that's different."
As we wrapped up the quick tour, Bret asked me if I knew of any window cleaners that could take care of the filth that had accumulated on the shop windows. "I pointed at Johnny the neighborhood window washer who was biking towards us. "That's the guy," I told him. Then I snapped a photo (see above) of the introduction and the initial work on the storefront began. The next time you walk or drive by, you will actually be able to look inside as the major work gets underway.
Hunt offices are scheduled to open the first of the year. If you're interested in city living, contact Bret at 716-818-2575.
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Comment Options
STEEL
Please tell me the plastic siding is coming off as well.
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sbrof
Sounds great! Where are they located now, if anything? If people are going to want to talk to sellers even if they are not looking into the city they should be brought to this area. I am sure a percentage of them would leave with a better appreciation for Buffalo (even if they wont live here) they might come back for coffee and dinner.
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queenseyes
They will still keep offices in the Brisbane Building downtown - a building owned by Hunt. It's known as their Metropolitan Branch.
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Drew
Very cool.
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Sullymon54
they used to have an office further down on elmwood across the street from the former latina's as well, but that office has been closed for a while now.
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Hoss
Sure as hell beats another tattoo parlor that was rumoured. The interior was pretty splendid old school Buffalo until the last group of marauders painted over all the woodwork.
As Buffalo grows, Hunt stands to be a major player with all the real estate transactions that will be occurring. I wish them the best of luck.
And Hunt people. If you're reading this. Please, please, please update your logo. It's sooo late 80's. You'd be amazed what a little investment in graphic design/branding can do for your name and it's respect and recognition. Especially when dealing with out of town investors.
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Frankster
Welcome, Hunt! Glad to have you in a long-vacant storefront! Tops on my wish list:
Lose the vinyl siding
Replace the broken, uneven sidewalk on Breckenridge
Do not contribute to the illegal parking occurring behind the building
Does this mean your agents will stop automatically steering relos with kids to the suburbs by spreading scare stories about the city? Not to single out Hunt, this is a chronic problem with local real estate firms. Some of our most important regional ambassadors earn their living by badmouthing the city for bigger suburban commissions.
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Andrew
I think it will do wonders for Elmwood to have more professionals working on the street. That with a long vacant storefront filled = good news
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carlmalone
Frankster: are they badmouthing the City or just pointing out the facts which might deter a family from living in the city for good reasons. You know high level of blight, bad schools, panhandling, high level of crime, etc.. I mean I live in the City but you can say they are doing these people a service. Unless badmouthing=truth. Then I agree.
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Frankster
Well, let's see if they're the least bit objective or informed when it comes to "doing people a service."
Do real estate agents ever warn a family about the hazards of living in the suburbs, namely that the automobile is the leading cause of death of Americans under the age of 21? That their kids are more likely to be killed in the suburbs by cars than in the city by guns and drugs combined? Do real estate agents ever warn families about allergy hazards and sick building syndrome in houses constructed of heavily synthetic materials, as most have been in the past 40-some years? Do real estate agents ever warn families that suburban kids regularly outdo their urban peers when it come to risky behaviors?
Here's just one source.
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RisingDamp666
STEEL, I hear that the plastic siding is coming off...to be replaced with Formstone, for that authentic "Genesee St. tavern" look.
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halljd39
Very positive news for the EV! Great to see more businesses move onto Elmwood!
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MeliQ
The rendering looks far better (whether they leave the siding or not) than what the building currently looks like. Right now, the building is so stark and quite frankly, crummy looking. The shutters and awning along with some nice planters will really make the corner more charming, like many of the homes on the neighboring streets, plus, it's a public business so you can't beat that!
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citysells
The Hunt city office agents are very excited about being part of the Elmwood Village. There will be 30+ of us promoting the city. We live in and love the city and encourage clients to stay or make the move to come into the city. We often remind our fellow suburban agents that the city is a great place for their clients. Can't wait for the new office, thanks for your excitement!! Cheers!
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Loyarc
I think this sucks, but I do see some advantages in the professionals it will bring. This should inject some real dollars for the neighboring shops. Other than that, it dilutes the v alue of the Village. (I am very parochial in how I define the Village - I think its W. Ferry to Auburn) The shop keepers have long frowned upon 'professional/consultative' types of businesses in that area. Hunt is not retail. Granted it will have a retail presence and appear to be retail, but is of little value to Village dwellers beyond that. The building will absolutely look nicer - agreed!.
One tacit fact I see in this is how challenging the EV as far as retail. Definite plus to get a big storefront filled, but not without a cost to the district.
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