Your host, Peter Hunt, welcomes Dr. Kriner Cash to the show.
Dr. Cash is the Superintendent of Buffalo Public Schools.
Together, Peter leads the discussion on his role and the Buffalo Public School District and how the ongoing pandemic is affecting them.
In response to the overwhelming needs within our communities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, HUNT Real Estate sales professionals and employees organized and participated in multiple fundraisers and charitable initiatives across New York State this summer. Nearly $20,000 was raised in total, which will go directly to those in need in our Western and Upstate New York communities.
The following are a list of organizations HUNT Real Estate partnered with:
In addition to the above fundraisers, the HUNT Charitable Foundation also contributed $6,000 to the United Way’s COVID-19 Relief Funds that have been established in Buffalo, Rochester, Central New York, and the Capital Region.
“We are grateful to our employees and sales professionals throughout all of Upstate New York who collaborated, both virtually and in-person, to help those that have been deeply affected by the economic conditions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Peter Hunt, Chairman & CEO of HUNT Real Estate Corp. “We will continue to work with those on the front lines to offer our help in any way we can.”
Your host, Peter Hunt, welcomes Dr. Kriner Cash to the show.
Dr. Cash is the Superintendent of Buffalo Public Schools.
Together, Peter leads the discussion on his role and the Buffalo Public School District and how the ongoing pandemic is impacting the BPS District.
Closing costs are any costs related to completing a real estate deal. These costs include bank fees related to obtaining a mortgage and outside fees such as appraiser and title search fees. Both the buyer and the seller are subject to closing costs, and the closing process can be confusing for first-timers, who are often unprepared for the amount needed to take care of these fees. This guide will help you plan so that you can avoid surprises when closing time arrives.
The actual amount of closing costs will vary depending upon the total cost of the purchase. In general, the buyer can expect to pay two to four percent of the purchase price, while the seller should budget for somewhere between eight and ten percent of the final selling price. The buyer will be required to pay a larger amount if the final cost is over one million dollars. In this case, a mansion tax applies to the purchase. The seller typically pays more because they are responsible for broker fees, which normally amount to six percent.
The buyer is responsible for title insurance and bank fees connected with the mortgage, which will include the bank’s attorney fees and an appraisal of the property value. Other costs include title insurance, mortgage tax, and attorney fees for a lawyer to represent your interests in the deal. The buyer is also responsible for the developer’s costs if needed and an additional mansion tax if the purchase price exceeds one million dollars
One of the biggest expenses for the seller is the brokerage fee. These costs can sometimes be negotiated, but rarely do they fall below five percent. The seller must also cover a transfer tax that ranges between 1.4 percent and 1.825 percent, depending on the final selling price.
At times, there may be an opportunity for both buyer and seller to save money on closing costs. For the buyer, buying a nearly new home, rather than completely new, will help eliminate the developer’s costs. Real estate attorney fees can also vary by a few hundred dollars, so shopping around for the best deal will save money.
It is better to budget toward the higher end of expected closing costs so no surprises arise on the day of closing. An experienced lawyer who specializes in real estate can also be your best resource when it comes to lowering costs. It could save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in the end.
If you’re interested in viewing a list of HUNT approve attorneys, please visit
The HUNT Homeowners Club includes licensed attorneys who provide legal services including Real Estate Purchase‚ Real Estate Sales‚ Power of Attorney‚ Simple Wills‚ Name Change and more. For more information on how to retain the services of these attorneys‚ please contact them directly.
Your host, Peter Hunt, welcomes Jill Jedlicka to the show.
Jill is the Executive Director of Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper.
Together, Peter leads the discussion on Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper and what they are doing for the Buffalo/Niagara Community.
We are pleased to welcome the following sales professionals to the HUNT Real Estate ERA family. Their association further affirms our commitment to offering the highest level of service to our clients.
If you’re ready to take advantage of everything we have to offer AND make more money, join HUNT Real Estate ERA today!
*Source: 2019 REAL Trends 500 | Ranked by Closed Transaction Sides
Deciding to buy a home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll likely ever make. If finding your dream home wasn’t hard enough, you also have to make sure your finances are in order to purchase it. Here are a few simple steps that you can take to make the buying process smoother.
While a job change could be better for you in the long run, changing while you’re searching for a new home, or after securing a lender, could delay your settlement. The loan amount your lender will approve you for is based on your average income for the past 24 months. Any change in income or pay structure matters. Note that this also includes accepting a promotion. Although a pay raise at your current employer likely won’t stop you from receiving the loan, it could delay the process without the proper documentation. For any job change, your lender will need to see an offer letter, a role change letter and your most recent pay stub reflecting the income change.
You’re getting a new house, why not get a car to go along with it? While it might look nice in your new driveway, purchasing a new vehicle before your closing could put your loan in jeopardy, even if you can afford it. Lenders take into account your debt-to-income ratio. If you tip the scales by committing to more debt with a large purchase or co-signing for someone else’s purchase, you could be denied.
Don’t close any credit card accounts or apply for a new credit card. Don’t miss a credit card payment or check your credit score. All of these things may seem fairly harmless – closing a credit card even seems beneficial – but each of these things can lower your credit score. Any change in your credit is a major red flag for lenders.
If you’re fortunate enough to find yourself with a large amount of extra cash you’d like to deposit into savings, be sure to contact your lender before heading to the bank. They’ll be looking at your bank statement before closing, so a large deposit can raise eyebrows. You’ll likely be required to provide paperwork explaining where the money came from.
A mortgage is vital in purchasing your new home, but the price of the house is not the only cost you incur when you buy. There are other expenses like a down payment and closing costs that you’ll be expected to have money on hand to cover. Dipping into your savings is concerning to lenders. Make sure your funds stay in place.
All of these tips boil down to one thing – lenders want to feel secure. Avoid major changes in your financial habits during the months leading up to your home purchase. When it comes to your finances and buying a house, consistency is key. If you have any questions about mortgages or the mortgage process, be sure to check out HUNTMortgage.com.
Your host, Peter Hunt, welcomes James Fink to the show.
James is a reporter with Buffalo Business First who covers real estate, commercial development and government.
Together, Peter leads the discussion on the development and economic growth within Buffalo due to Covid-19.
There are three major factors involved in getting your home sold successfully: pricing, condition, and marketing. But how do you manage these three components to make sure you have a smooth and easy sale?
One of the most important things to consider when listing a home is pricing. If homes that are listed for a price that is too high, it can prevent serious offers coming in. If a home is priced too low, you may lose out on money. A good agent will do a competitive analysis and review the recent home sales in the surrounding area to get your home listed at the correct price from the beginning.
Another important factor is the condition of the home. Is your home ready to be put on the market? Or does it need painting or repairs? A knowledgeable agent will notice what needs to be done before placing a home on the market. A HUNT agent can even connect you with a HUNT approved vendor to assist thanks to the HUNT Homeowners Club.
Marketing is where your agent and real estate company will really shine. Agents promote your home where they feel it will get the most exposure. This can include internet marketing, social media marketing, as well as traditional print marketing like flyers. A good agent also understands the importance of photography and real estate, and may even suggest that your home be professionally photographed. With a many buyers starting their home search exclusively online, high-quality photos and/or video are important.
These three components make up the major factors that lead to a successful home sale. Real Estate Agents are trained professionals who have resources at their fingertips. This will help you list your home at the right price, in the best condition, and receive the most exposure through effective and innovative marketing. Reach out to a HUNT Agent today to start your home’s sale: contact us now
Your host, Peter Hunt, welcomes Byron Brown to the show.
Byron is the Mayor of Buffalo. He was the first African-American politician elected to the New York State Senate to represent a district outside New York City and the first member of any minority race to represent a majority white New York State Senate district.
As both a New York State Senator and Buffalo Mayor, he has been closely involved in the development of the three Seneca Nation casinos that have been planned and built in Western New York since 2002.
Together, Peter leads the discussion on Buffalo Tourism and the effects of Covid-19.