WNY Handyman

Squirrel!! 

We all remember the line from the movie “UP!”.  Ben, the dog, would see a squirrel and become alert.  I had the same experience yesterday while looking at a possible renovation / rehab project in the Village of Lancaster, NY.

I was sitting in front of the home taking a look from my vehicle when a small squirrel appeared in the window.  At first, I thought that it was on the outer sill.  As it turns out, it was inside the house having its way with the interior.  I decided to talk a walk around the property while waiting for the person who would be showing me the property and as I reached the back, I noticed a larger squirrel in the rear window.  I was able to take a picture of this squirrel (see the photo below) and couldn’t help but laugh when he noticed me, become startled and then tore half of the window curtain down while trying to climb away.

Squirrel in window

We did end up going into the house to have a look and we decided it would be best if we carried a snow brush with us.  We all know how much squirrels hate snow brushes.  Luckily, there was no incident inside.  Turns out, squirrels are pretty non-confrontational and I was able to view the property without trouble (I had my brush in hand, mind you).  I don’t recall much about the property since I was pre-occupied with my squirrel avoidance and preparedness to strike plans.

I get to chalk up another first in my search for properties to renovate.  Vermin ?

Are you looking for office space in the Buffalo area?

We will have an office available on 10/01/2011 that is a perfect space for 1-3 people.  This office is in a professional office building with tenants that include and Allstate Insurance office, credit card processor, attorney, web developer, and accountant.

Lancaster office for rent

This office is clean and bright and is located on the second floor.

All utilities are included in the monthly rent payment of $395.

• Free Internet service (wired and wireless)
• All utilities included
• NO common area fees

The location is at: 3725 Walden Avenue, Lancaster NY.

This is a growing commercial corridor in Lancaster, NY.  The office is a perfect space for a manufacturers rep or a professional service provider.  Please contact us today to see the space.

Complete details can be found on our Buffalo Office Space site.

Call 716-791-7368 to speak to us right away.

My wife and I have been searching for a nice cottage, on a lake, for about five years.  Our search appears to be over since we are now under contract for a Cottage on Lake Erie.

Lake Erie Cottage

If you’ve ever undergone a search for a secondary property you will understand what I mean when I say that a big part of the fun is in the search.  Over the years we explored many areas along Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.  We have also spent time visiting and/or exploring Lime Lake, Faun Lake, and Rushford Lake.  We probably explored at least 25 towns and neighborhoods along the Lake Erie shoreline.  Our search even included a visit to the Chautauqua County Real Estate auction (There were bargains galore, except for the smelly lake front lot that we had interest in. That one went for a premium).

Because our search that didn’t require a quick decision there was quite a bit of fun in the search. Over the years, we were able to determine the features that really mattered to us.  Time will do that.  My list might certainly differs from my wife’s list, but they undoubtedly have a number of common items.

• On a lake with a beach, rather than grassy shore.
  If you have visited Lake Chautauqua, you will notice that the lake is like spinach soup much of the year.  A large lake such as Lake Erie or Lake Ontario is more desirable, but certainly has drawbacks. My wife doesn’t like the steep drop-offs that often come with smaller, man-made lakes.
• About an hour drive from our home, at most.
  At 1:05, we are pushing the limit.  However, this distance feels far enough away to be a vacation, but is close enough to hurry home should the need arise.
• Investment potential
  For me, I want the cottage to have investment potential. I don’t want this to be an endless money pit, even if we get to enjoy the property along the way.   If we put work into the cottage, I want to be sure we are able to show a return on that investment.
• Rental potential
  Continuing with the money pit theme, I want to be sure that the property helps to pay for itself.  To that end, the cottage must be in a desirable rental location.  The location that we selected fits vacationing families, wine tour lovers, and fishermen.
• Work needed
  I am not the type who enjoys laying around at the beach, so I wanted to be sure there was plenty of work for me to do on the cottage.  Even thought this cottage is in very good condition, it doesn’t have the charm that we desire from a cottage getaway. My job will be to bring my wife’s visions to life.
• Expansion potential
  The ability to add space to the property is a big plus.  In our price range, we weren’t going to be purchasing anything large.  We were fortunate that this small 2 bedroom cottage has a good sized sunroom and a 1 1/2 car attached garage.  The possibility to expand the living space into the garage without altering the footprint of the structure is highly likely. At the very least, this garage will make a nice outdoor room.  There are garage doors front and back.
• Lakefront would be nice, but not a necessity (my wife would certainly differ on that point).
  Until we found lakefront at the price that was in my head, I didn’t see this as a huge sticking point. However, I doubt my wife would have settled for less.  She was right.  There is nothing like being right on the lake. Even if we are on a bluff.
• Structurally sound, but in need of work.
  Dealing with structural issues is not fun.  Working on property is what we love to do.
• THE RIGHT PRICE!
  That is the big one, and is the reason that it took 5 years to find something that we can grow into.  The price was right.  Not a steal, but a very good price for lakefront.

We’ll include some project photos and discuss our cottage renovation projects on WNY Handyman.

If you are interested in renting our Cottage, visit LakeErieCottage.com.

Radon has become quite a hot button when it comes to buying or selling a home. I am not saying that radon doesn’t pose a danger, but with relatively new concerns, we don’t often have the persepctive to put the risk into context. Radon is something that is prevalent in WNY, but at relatively low levels. In fact, levels tend to be much higher in other parts of the country.  Erie County provides a map that displays the prevalence of Radon in particular areas throughout Western New York (Click image for large map).

Radon is a radioactive gas released from the normal decay of uranium in rocks and soil.  Radioactive particles from radon can damage cells that line the lungs and lead to lung cancer.  It is often confused with Mesothelioma, which is a form of cancer that is not linked to radon gas.

Erie County Radon Map - 2010

I have a home up for sale that tested slightly above the recommended level.  When you hear the numbers with regard to radon, you might not know how severe it is.  Anytime your house has an issue that poses a potential health risk, you should be concerned, but you should also put it into perspective.  The nice thing is radon is relatively low in most areas throughout Erie County.  A neighbor of mine tested at 4.1 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) when the acceptable level is 4.0 pCi/L.  The cost to mitigate was $1,300 (newer homes are a bit less than older homes).

Radon Map - USA

In my case, I have a home in the Village of Lancaster that has a reading of 5.8 pCi/L.  That might sound high when the accepted level is 4.0, but a high level in some areas is 400 – 500 pCi/L.  5.8 is relatively low, it just happens to be above the level that is recommended, and to sell a house a buyer will usually want this to be remediated.  Remediation is not difficult and most Radon contractors will be able to easily get the level below 2.0.  In fact, they will usually guarantee that number.  My cost: $1,500.

I am electing to use a Radon remediation company who appears to eat, sleep, and drink this stuff.  You have to love a contractor with a passion for his or her work. So much so, that I ended the phone call with him knowing that I could probably find someone who was $100-$200 cheaper, but who wouldn’t do the same job as this company. The company is Radonaire.  You can find them at www.radonaireinc.com.  Give Karl a call if you want a quick education on radon and radon remediation.

Living Room

We have a nice rental located at 48 Burlington in Depew.  Burlington is on the North side of Walden next door to St Peter and Paul Church.  The apartment just underwent an interior renovation.  The exterior will be renovated as soon as the weather breaks.

NO pets. NO Smoking,.

Here is a rough diagram of the floor plan.

First floor apartment for rent

This is a 2 bedroom 1 bathroom apartment. The kitchen is HUGE and includes a walk in pantry closet. There is a nice sized living room and a large dining room.

Depew Rental - Kitchen

We are asking $625 plus utilities. Landlord pays the water.

Please contact 716-791-7368 to schedule a showing.

Lancaster Duplex for Rent

Nice side by side duplex located in Lancaster NY. Built in 1992.
Close to all amenities:
Library
Shops
Restaurants

Private basement with laundry hook ups, covered front porch, nice yard that backs up to a pond.
3 bedrooms and 1.5 baths
Eat in kitchen that included stove, disposal, and dishwasher.
Available Jan 1st.

Non-smoker, NO PETS!

$895 per month

Contact Bob at 716-791-RENT (7368)