So, you are considering moving to Buffalo or you are an expat with thoughts of returning to a newly energized city, and then,wham! Seven feet of snow fall in one day, waking you from your sweet dream, bringing you back to reality. Except that the seven feet is in the south towns and you think it is kind of cool and you would not mind experiencing it anyway; right?
Ok, so you are in your shirt sleeves, sipping coffee at a sidewalk cafe in California. Seven feet of snow seems a bit other worldly and not quite appealing. Here is something else that may seem otherworldly to you. this gorgeous house recently listed for just $395,000.
The house, at 731 Columbus Parkway, sits in a pretty part of Buffalo near the river and lake as well just minutes from Elmwood, Allentown, and Downtown. It is the kind of house and neighborhood that could easily fetch upwards of $800K, $1M, and more in the coastal cities. It was constructed 1887 and looks to be in mint condition. Its 6,517 square feet is currently split into 4 apartments (but probably could easily be converted back to a single family) You could more than pay your $1500 mortgage with just 2 of rental units. The taxes are $4500. Sounds like a lot, right? Good old tax and spend NY, right? Not really though. When compared to a similar house in Boston or Chicago or San Diego this tax burden is anything but high. Less than $5 grand in taxes on a million dollar house in Chicago? Good luck finding that.
So, lets compare. Your $2000 a month 900 SF condo or this beautiful historic house, loaded with amazing detail and craft, income producing, space for living, big yard (for the city) and, in a great neighborhood from which you can bike to the beach in a foreign country. Oh, didn’t I mention you can walk to Canada from here?
Expat or not, this is a bargain and a great opportunity. Its worth owning for the ultra cool attic alone. M. J. Peterson has the listing here.
House images are from the realtor’s listing. The snowmageddon image is from Chris Ziolkowski