Kensington & the East Side, Buffalo

The opportunity

If you've been priced out of the suburbs or the West Side, the East Side is where your budget goes the furthest. You'll find single-family homes and doubles, mostly from the early 1900s, at prices well under the regional median. Schiller Park itself is a nice green anchor for that neighborhood, and the area around it has blocks with long-time owners who take real pride in their homes.

Be honest with yourself about condition

At the lower end of the market, condition is everything. A house that looks like a steal can turn into a money pit if the roof, foundation or sewer line goes. On these walkthroughs I spend a lot of time in the basement and the attic, and I'll tell you straight if I think a house needs more than you're planning to put into it.

• Roof age and any signs of water coming in.
• Foundation cracks and basement water.
• The sewer lateral, which should get a camera scope on any older house.
• Lead paint, galvanized plumbing and older electrical.
• The block itself. Walk it at different times of day before you buy.

Who it's a good fit for

First-time buyers who want to stop renting and are willing to take on some work, and investors who want solid rental income at a lower purchase price. Either way, go in with a real repair budget.

Written by James Wangelin, Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker, eXp Realty · About me