A friend of mine pointed out a real cool tool available at the Erie County website (erie.gov). The site is an internet mapping system. No, this isn’t like Google Maps, or Local from Live.com. It is much, much, much more. I have included a screen shot to show you some of the features and overlays. There is a nice search function that even allows you to search by name. Really. Are you wondering what Daniel Briere’s lot looks like, or where he lives? I am serious. You can easily locate this information. It is public record, after all.
One of the most useful functions, in my opinion, is the overlay of lot lines. This will show you the shape of a parcel of land or property in the county. This is especially useful when you are shopping for real estate and the listing agent doesn’t have that information available for you. You can use the flood plain overlay, a wetland map overlay and a number of other overlays such as school districts, and municipalities.
Do you prefer to view maps like you can at Google, with an aerial photo from a satellite? You can. In the left hand column, click on the selection to show the “2002 orthophotography” and click “refresh map”. You can use the “Pan” tool to drag the map.
The tools within the application take some getting used to, that is why I am linking to the help page as a start. Once there, click on the link that reads “Internet Mapping System”.
A couple of quick notes.
- Pop up blockers will probably interfere with some functions. You should turn them off, or hold your ‘ctrl’ key while clicking on links within the map.
- This works properly in IE (Internet Explorer web browser), but not in Firefox.
I don’t think that I could call this condo in Lancaster, NY a screaming “BUY”, but the asking price seems to be a bit below value for the condominium development that the unit is in.
At the time of this writing, the asking price is $134,900. Similar units in the Eastwood development go for much higher. The larger units have been known to fetch $160,000+. This is a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom condo that has a built in garage. This is a perfect unit for a snowbird or someone who no longer enjoys the issues that a home brings.
If you are in the market for a condo in Lancaster, take a look. This is located close to Transit Road so you are able to get to everything very quickly. However, the traffic that comes from all of the commercial development nearby might scare some buyers away.
I have used Besch Bros Plumbing for a few jobs over the past year. Doug Besch was the contractor who was on the job on each occasion. He was very helpful, showed up when he said that he was going to and did a great job each time.
Besch Bros. Plumbing
5580 Broadway
Lancaster, NY 14086
716-683-0622
I would feel confident recommending Besch Plumbing to my friends, relatives and neighbors. Unlike some contractors, they don’t ask for the money up front and then complete the job when they see fit, they do the job properly and bill you once you are completely satisfied. After the job was done, they made sure to clean up the work area rather than leave it littered with debris, or with parts that were removed.
Overall, I would rate Besch a 9 out of a 10. The only thing that I could knock them for is that they do such a great job that they are in demand and might not be able to schedule the non-emergency jobs as soon as you would like. In the case of an emergency, they will be there (as in my recent case).
If you are in need of a plumber in the Buffalo, New York area I would strongly recommend that you give Besch Brothers Plumbing a call.
Here is a typical side by side duplex located in the Village of Lancaster. The location is nice for its proximity to Walden Avenue and Central Avenue. However, it is close the railroad track that is still active. My office is near by and I have to say, the trains aren’t that frequent and they are not very noticeable (I am not sleeping, though).
The listing states that they are only bringing in $530 per month for each side. This area would support a much higher level of rent for 3 bedroom 1.5 bath duplex style apartment. I am sure you could increase that well above $600 and still remain competetive. I have a duplex on Broadway that generates $775 per unit. The neighboring duplexes are much higher than mine.
This is listed through America’s Choice and does not have the visibility that they would if they were in the MLS right now. It might be worth taking a look.
The asking price is: $148,900. I am not sure that I would classify it as a “bargain” at this price, but you never know what the final purchase price could be. It is my opinion that you might offend someone with a lowball offer, but with a FSBO (for sale by owner) you can do it without having to go through the contract process. You can make a verbal on the property and get an indication of whether the present owner is looking to deal.
Lancaster NY Duplex for Sale
They aren’t that bad. No really, a 300+ foot windmill sounds like it will be this monstrosity, but they really aren’t that bad. In fact, I took a drive out to Lackawanna after reading a short article in the Buffalo News about the first windmill being operational.
As you can see by the pictures below, they don’t exactly jump out at you. I was on Route 5, directly across the street from the site. Remember, they are on a brownfield. A virtual waste site. This is an improvement. If the power from these windmills is being used to generate clean energy, keep them coming.
There have been complaints from people that the windmills are monstrosities that obstruct the view of people in the Hamburg area. They are complaining the it destroys their view of the City skyline. This is a matter of opinion. You either feel it is attractive, or not. Make your own call.
I feel that this is a good use of the site. If Donn Esmonde is right, this does have a chance to bring jobs to the area. This might be a bit far-fetched, but the argument appears to be sound.
The assets that made Buffalo great can help us again. Mammoth wind turbines are best shipped by barge. Waterways connect us to markets in the United States, Canada and Europe. We have a supply of workers, stretches of industrial land, and we sit on a highway/railroad hub, with a cargo airport in Niagara Falls. America is a booming market for wind power, and manufacturers — many of them in Europe — are looking for U.S. sites.
A Bass Pro, windmill construction, and an Ikea and we are good to go.
