WNY - Buffalo Corporate Executive
&
Family Relocation Center

Your Corporate & Family Relocation Resource for the entire Buffalo - Niagara Falls Region of WNY, USA.

The 'brick and mortar' WNY - Buffalo Corporate Relocation Center is centrally located at Town Center Realty, Inc., in the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce building (circa 1900), on Grand Island, in the heart of the Buffalo - Niagara Falls Region of WNY.

Our team of dedicated relocation experts has a background in real estate and referrals since 1980, and a broad experience living and working in many of the different WNY communities.

We can provide you with the specific valuable information that you need about the entire Buffalo - Niagara Falls Region - so you can choose the right neighborhood and home to suit your particular needs.

Buying or renting, moving here to study or work, starting a family or retiring, whatever your circumstances and goals, whatever your reasons for relocation, we can help you move:

• Within the Buffalo - Niagara Falls region of WNY
• Into the Buffalo - Niagara Falls region of WNY
• Out of the Buffalo - Niagara Falls region of WNY

Relocation can be one of the most stressful activities in life! We'll help make your move as stress-free as possible and show you that hunting for a home can actually be fun! You'll find that proper research and thoughtful planning can ease the process significantly. Whether you are moving locally, domestically, or internationally, we have the resources, the expertise, and the connections to make your move a success.

The objective of this web page is to provide you with a convenient source of relocation advice, and links to other useful information that can help you in your move. Below you'll find some brief suggestions for a successful relocation. If you choose to make your relocation even easier, by using the help of a proven relocation professional, we are here to help you. You will find valuable links to other resources and guides in the resource section.
                                                Betty L Harris

WNY - Buffalo Real Estate Is Very Affordable

According to the National Association of Realtors, a typical single-family home in the Buffalo area sold for $85,000 in 2002. That was the lowest price in any US real estate market with a population above 1 million!

As a comparison, Buffalo real estate costs are only 54% of the national median home price of $158,300 and only 21% of the $395,900 median home price in Boston - the nation's most expensive real estate market. (Median is the midpoint, with half of all comparable homes selling for more and half for less.)

For people relocating into WNY, this is very good news.

The primary factor causing affordable real estate in the Buffalo - Niagara Falls Region is simply a low population growth compared to the rest of the nation. In fact, negative population growth in the last decade left an excessive inventory of existing real estate, leading to affordable pricing. The median price for new homes in the area is $160,000. 

The Relocation Process

Deciding to relocate within, into, or out of WNY
With evolving lifestyles, people decide to relocate for many reasons. The two most common reasons that our clients give include:

• "Our current home has become too small (or too big)"
• "My next career move requires relocation into
  (or out of) WNY"

Your first step is therefore to consider the pros and cons of moving, and decide if relocation seems to be the best option in your future.

Deciding which particular WNY community to relocate into
This is usually a complex decision, requiring many answers to a range of specific questions, depending upon your particular circumstances and interests. Your new location may be broadly defined by factors such as, job transfers, or moving closer to family. Maybe you just want a change, and haven't decided where you want to relocate. Families usually have a wider range of needs than individuals. No matter what your circumstances are, research is the key to defining the particular optimum neighborhood that best suits all your needs and plans for the future.

Research the Buffalo - Niagara Falls Region of WNY
Start with the Internet and find out as much as possible about local, county, and state government, along with "things to do" in the area. Research home prices, taxes, schools, shopping, and everything else that will impact your (families) lifestyle. There is a lot to do in WNY, including the great outdoors, sports, arts and entertainment, theme parks......etc. We border Lake Erie and Lake Ontario and also the Canadian Province of Ontario. We are only 90 minutes drive from downtown Toronto.

Finding a home in WNY
A local real estate agent is undoubtedly your best resource in finding a home. A qualified and experienced agent can save you time and money by providing current and local information. This might include an area analysis including availability of homes in the area pricing information, other information to affect your offer on a home, a list of home inspectors, etc. Some agents specialize in finding apartments and rental homes.

If possible, drive around candidate neighborhoods in the area that you are interested in. Actually walk around in a neighborhood that you are considering moving into. Ask people in the neighborhood how they like it, where the kids play, do people usually live in the neighborhood for very long, etc.

Finding a job in WNY
Finding a job for yourself, your spouse, or other family member, can come before or even after finding a home. There are several resources for finding a job, but usually the Internet is the most effective. There are local resources and several national job-posting sites that you should consider, and don't forget local radio, television and newspapers.

Plan your relocation
Ask yourself a few questions:

• "Do I need to hire a moving company?"
• "What is my time frame?"
• "Will I need temporary living arrangements?"
• "Will I need temporary storage arrangements?"
• "Will I need to set up hotel arrangements on the way to my new destination?"
• "What kind of expenses will I incur?".....etc.

Carry out your plan
Use your plan! Each relocation is very different and only you will know everything that is needed. Your relocation expert or real-estate agent can provide a checklist of things to remember.

After your move
Keep talking with your real estate agent. Meet your neighbors and get to know them. These people know the community, places to shop, good restaurants etc.