Just read a press release regarding the Overseas Portal Reveals Investor Trends for 2008 and it appears that the Western New York region has caught the attention of UK investors. But our office already knew that with our base of UK clients growing every day. DeFranco Real Estate Corp has a specialized lending program for the UK Investor.David Brennan of Brennan Properties "many clients are flocking to invest in Western New York as the prices are low, the yields are the highest in the world at the moment, the net returns are tremendous, and this trend is set to continue despite the credit crunch which has affected the more affluent states in the USA." Articles like this are great news for Western New York, the investors are what is needed to turn things around. There are some things you ... 02/29/2008

Bruce Springsteen - Live in N. Tonawanda The Riviera theater in North Tonawanda is getting a little help from The Boss. The Riviera will feature a Bruce Springsteen concert on a high-definition screen at 8 p.m. Feb. 29. The Riviera is one of the few places in the country where it can be seen.  Buffalo Niagara Real Estate 13th Best Market in Nation The National Association of Realtors (NAR) released 2007 4th quarter home prices. It places the Buffalo Niagara region in the 13th best market in the nation out of 151 regional markets in the report. The Buffalo Niagara region saw a 9.1% increase in single-family home prices from the 4th quarter of 2006. Home sales prices increase rose from $96,000 to $105,400 in the twelve-month period.  Niagara Rises - Grass roots organization in Niagara Fal... 02/27/2008

Yes you read that correctly!   Under 30 days my Blog is a notable site for Niagara Falls!  I bet you are wondering how that happened...I am part of the group called Niagara Rises.  I am hopefully part of the positive changes here in Niagara Falls.  One of their missions is to bring new businesses to the Niagara Falls area.  Something that I believe passionately about (oh and I happen to chair their subcommittee on that topic).Yesterday afternoon I was greeted by a Google Alert for my name and it was from an article by Frank Thomas Croisdale - WEB EXCLUSIVE! NOTABLE WEB SITES NOTED in the Niagara Reporter electronic edition.   In it he referenced my efforts to get businesses to rethink the Niagara Frontier:  ...Speaking of the future of Niagara Falls, Colleen Kulikowski is not unlike man... 02/26/2008

Why is it so hard to find a good Property Manager in Western New York? The truth be told Property Management is not as easy as some may think. It takes an incredible amount of dedication and experience to do it well. It also requires New York State Licensing to work as a Property Manager in New York. There are a lot of people out there that say they are a Property Manager, but ask them for their license, and you find that they don’t have one. Too often we run into Property Managers that are lazy and take the easy way. Well folks those are two roads that don’t work well! Read Full Post Hey WNY Remember that Real Estate is Local! Even comparing home values in Cheektowaga or Amherst in Erie County is comparing apples to buttons. True data can show national trends, but Real Estate is local ... 02/22/2008

There are tons of Restaurants in the Niagara Falls Area to select from.   There is a great mixture of of small family owned restaurants and the chains.   For some reason in Niagara Falls, it is the smaller family owned operations that everyone loves.   Here is just a sampling of Niagara Falls Restaurants: Bad Bean Coffee house & Cafe - 921 Main Street Niagara Falls NY 14303 (716) 285-2232Bakery Restaurant & Grill - 3004 Niagara Street Niagara Falls NY 14303 (716) 282-9498 Burgundy’s - 7001 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls, NY 14304  (716) 283-7612 Café Etc. - 466 Third Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14301  (716) 285-0801  Cicero’s Restaurant - 2230 Cayuga Drive Extension Niagara Falls NY 14304 (716) 731-2780There is always the Como Restaurant – 2220 Pine Avenue Niagara Falls NY 14301 (716) 285-93... 02/22/2008

Thinking of selling your WNY Home?   Are you thinking of selling your WNY home?  There are many things that you need to do to prepare for the sale of your WNY home. Things are changing in the WNY Real Estate market and there are several things that you should know to make this process as stress free as possible.  They include understanding the current market absorption rate, competitive homes currently on the market, and things to do like Staging to make your home ready for sale. But first let’s talk about why you are selling and what you plan on doing once you sell your property. What are your WNY Real Estate Goals?  Are you going to purchase another home? Are you up-sizing or downsizing? Probably the most over looked thing a seller forgets to do when getting ready to sell is checking ... 02/22/2008

Staging Your Niagara Falls Home - It isn't always all about what you see...We have talked about Staging Tips for Your Home awhile back, this is information that any home owner anywhere in the country can find useful. But Staging your Niagara Falls home is partially visual, but there is something very simple that you can do to add to the comfort of potential buyers. It is nearing the end of February here in Western New York and we have experienced some very cold days. Showing properties with potential Niagara Falls Buyers you see a lot of cold houses. I have some very important advice for you if you are selling your Niagara Falls home.Turn up the Heat!Related Articles:What should I do to get ready to sell my Niagara Falls home?How Niagara Falls Sellers Can Prevent Making Costly Selling M... 02/19/2008

In reading Don't Blame Diocese for Church Closing which is in the Buffalo News Everybody's Column on January 1st by Martin E. Bartnik a thought occurred.   It made me stop and think for a few moments.  I have wanted to write about this for some time, but my thoughts were mixed.I have to agree that what the Catholic Diocese is doing is the right thing. Imagine if our Government was as brave and took such a hard look at their expenses.  Change is happening here in Western New York.  Some see it a sign of the times, other are shaken to their very core.Western New York Catholic Churches are closing their doors in Western New York in large numbers. But if you look at the demographics, it is a reflection of who is not attending, either they have moved away or just stopped attending church.  W... 02/19/2008

 It is all Local when it comes to Niagara Falls Home Values!The media loves to take everything to the National level, especially Real Estate and home values.  If that were true everyone could purchase a home for the same amount of money.  Niagara Falls home owners cannot compare their home prices to that of Long Beach CA or Chicago IL or Miami FL.  Even comparing home values in Orchard Park or Depew in Erie County is comparing apples to buttons.  True data can show national trends, but Real Estate is local folks!    In Niagara Falls Home Values can be as local as streets and blocks.  Think about the factors that go into why a Niagara Falls home sell or do not sell:Economic factors distinguishing each; even within individual areas in the Niagara Falls real estate markets are very diverse... 02/18/2008

Niagara Rises next meeting is: Tuesday, February 19, 20086pmDay's Inn - Ballroom443 Main Street Niagara Falls NYThanks to Zach Casale over at Main Street Niagara for sharing this information from Frank Thomas Croisdale at the Niagara Falls Reporter.   This simple idea has evolved into a grass roots movement in the area.Related Articles:Eight Reasons to Move Your Business to Western New York Spitzer calls for proposals to show results fast in Niagara Falls Niagara Falls NY Homes Under $50,000! Buffalo Niagara's Alternative to Home Demolition 02/15/2008

Hey Niagara Falls - Do you hear opportunity knocking?Niagara Falls is just waiting for the right visionaries to come along. I came back to Western New York earlier this year and chose to work in Niagara Falls. I guess that makes me one of those visionaries. I drive around Niagara Falls and I just see it, I can feel the electricity in the air, it is coming. Are you ready for it? The other day Governor Spitzer made a call for proposals to show results fast in the Falls. "We're going to make this happen, and we're going to do it quickly," Spitzer said."This is a city that is just poised for dramatic development." Niagara Falls NY is definately an area of growth and there is such potential for it. It is going to take visionaries to make it happen, and there is opportunity. So what are you g... 02/14/2008

When I changed my blogs to ASSOCIATES ONLY, I lost my AR points by the thousands. Ranking, status, you name it...I couldn't get a cup of Starbucks or McDonalds coffee.  I was broke. Until people started ASSOCIATING with me. YES... There is a flame of compassion burning in my blog. Check it out. ASSOCIATES ONLY need apply to read my blog at this time UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.Frank Zappa once said "IT'S ALL ENTERTAINMENT" and so did Judy Garland, or Liza Minelli.WELL THE CALL GOES OUT ------BE MY ASSOCIATE PLEASE -----IT'S ALMOST VALENTINE'S DAY !!!!Johnny Bloggo WANTS YOU !!!! 02/12/2008

By Colleen Kulikowski | February 12, 2008 Today in Niagara Falls there are many men that are just about in a complete panic over February 14th, and then again there are some that don't have a clue it is coming up. Guys let me let you in on a little secret – it is just another day. You shouldn't wait for a specific day like Valentine's Day (or your anniversary) to show your Niagara Falls Sweetheart that you care. But that is not an excuse for doing nothing for your sweetheart. Ladies if your guy is one that doesn't have a clue print this list and circle your favorites and tape it to the mirror tonight…So for all those men that have waited to the last minute to do something for Valentine's Day for their Niagara Falls sweetheart, here are a few ideas for you to make the day special in Niag... 02/12/2008

 Welcome to Niagara Falls and your new home!   Friends can help you feel at home - but first you need to find them.   It isn't always easy to meet new people and become friends.  I know it can be intimidating and overwhelming.   But it doesn't have to be!  Read the Rest of the story at How to Make Friends in your new Niagara Falls Home.      01/25/2008

Real Estate in Niagara Falls is not experiencing the negative backlash that the media wants you to believe. There are areas that people want to call home in Western New York and in the Northern most corner of Niagara County. DeVeaux Section of Niagara Falls is a perfect example of this. The first half of 2007 saw 30 of the 49 sales in the DeVeaux Section of Niagara Falls, while the third quarter saw fewer sales, but the homes that sold went an average of 38 days on the market, while the previous quarter saw an average of 107 days on the market. Here is a brief recap of the 2007 Sales in DeVeaux Section of Niagara Falls:  Time Period: January 1 - December 31, 2007# Closed Sales: 49 Average Days on Market: 83 Average Sold Price $ 80,909.00 Highest Sold Price: $ 190,000.00 Lowest Sold Pric... 01/14/2008

Spotlight on Niagara Falls | Niagara Falls Public Library  The Niagara Falls LibraryNiagara Falls New York is a great place to call home! When you are searching to purchase a home, a common question we hear is: "Is there a Library in town?". We are happy to report that there are two in Niagara Falls. The Niagara Falls Public Library provides a great bit of resources to those that live here and visitors alike.There are two great locations of the Niagara Falls Library they are:Main LibraryEarl W. Brydges Building1425 Main Street Niagara Falls NY 14305(716) 286-4881 Reference Desk(716) 286-4894 Circulation Desk(716) 286-4902 Children's DeskLaSalle Branch8728 Buffalo Avenue Niagara Falls NY 14304(716) 283-8309Here are list of helpful links for the Niagara Falls Library:Hours of Operation Gi... 01/03/2008

Niagara Falls Museums Blog has a great article about the history of the Rainbow Bridge between the US and Canada. When you call Western New York home, you will cross this bridge at some point.Read the rest of the story at:  Spotlight on Niagara Falls | The Rainbow Bridge Read Also:Bridges over Niagara - The Rainbow BridgeAttention WNY Residents Do You have Your Passport?  Don't forget to sign the petition! 12/29/2007

Is this really a good idea Niagara Falls? Having someone walk the Horseshoe Falls on a tightrope? There is a reason that no one has been allowed to attempt this in more than a century. Just like they haven't let someone go over the Falls in a Barrell either. But they try.... Most recently wirewalker Jay Cochrane still wants to make Niagara Falls his retirement project, but a proposed walk across the river could be in the works for 2009 instead of next year. After another summer spent performing in Niagara Falls - his third in six years - Cochrane was hopeful the Niagara Parks Commission would let him be the first man in more than a century to walk a wire across the falls.On the positive side, it could bring a million visitors to the event.  If you think so Western New York, sign the pet... 12/29/2007

 Earlier this month we wrote about the Casinos here in Western New York in Want to Gamble? Try the Casinos!   Today catching up on the Internet we discovered that our Niagara Falls Casino made the MSN Top 10 Gambling Getaways!   The MSN article mentions the casinos on both sides of the border (not just the US casino). You can view the short paragraph about Niagara Falls and read about the other 9 locations in the Top 10 Gambling Getaways article.   This after AAA in September 2007, officially honored Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel with its prestigious Four Diamond Award. The Western Door: A Seneca Steakhouse also received a Diamond Award from AAA in 2007.   With all this great publicity it is no wonder that the land around the Seneca Niagara Casino has been grabbed up by developers.   Lo... 12/19/2007

  Casinos in Western New York There are currently two casinos that call Western New York home. The Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel in Salamanca situated in the foothills of the Allegany Mountains. In Niagara Falls on the American side of the Falls there is Seneca Niagara Casino and Hotel just blocks from one of the Natural Wonders of the World. And on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls there are two Casinos on the Canadian Side of the Falls. Who needs to go to Vegas or Atlantic City when we have all this here?  There is a lot of excitement about the Casinos in Western New York.    Here is a brief run down of the Casinos that are easy access to Western New Yorkers: Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel Casino Niagara (Canada)Fallsview Casino Resort  (Canada)Read the... 12/16/2007