Buffalo NY Real Estate and WNY Homes for Sale

Ways to save on your Western New York utility bills

Budgets are being stretched to their limits for residents in Western New York. With the reports of predicted energy costs increasing this winter, many savvy Western New Yorkers are beginning to look for way to save on their utility bills. There are many ways to save on your utility bills and it sometimes it is the simplest things we do that can add up to big savings.

Ways to save money on your utility bills in Western New York:

1. Energy star appliances
2. Consider replacing your toilets with lower water use models to save on water
3. Consider having a home energy audit
4. When taking a shower in the winter, don't let that water drain out. If you leave the water in your tub it adds heat and humidity to the house.
5. Calk your windows and consider adding additional insulation if needed
6. Use energy-efficient lighting throughout your Buffalo home
7. Install a low-flow shower head
8. Because the greater Buffalo region has some of the sunniest days in summer, there are those that install solar hot water and electric solar panels and enjoy watching their meter go backwards.
9. Cancel your newspaper and read it online
10. Wash your clothing in cold water and hang dry your clothes
11. Install a programmable thermostat
12. Get an insulation sweater for your hot water heater and insulate the pipes coming out of your water heater
13. Make sure your dishwasher is set on water-miser and do use heat drying

Read the rest of this entry »

Why you should pre-qualify for a mortgage before you start your WNY home search!

Mortgage Pre-approval Advantages

Knowledge - You will know exactly how much you can afford before you start home shopping.
Competitive advantage - Sellers and real estate agents will consider you a serious buyer.
Speeds time to closing - Since you are preapproved you can move into your dream home much faster!

Know Exactly How Much You Can Spend!

You might have an idea of the loan payment and mortgage you can afford in Western New York. Lending requirements are changing rapidly in today's market so the bank might not agree with your thinking. Do you really want to find the absolutely perfect home only to find out you cannot get the mortgage for it?

It's always best to pre-qualify for a mortgage so you know exactly how much you will be able to borrow. In the pre-qualification process, you will find out:

• Exactly how much home you can afford.
• Your minimum down payment, and advantages of higher down payments.
• What the bank feels you can afford for a monthly payment.

Read more about mortgage pre-qualification »