House & Home November 2015

NOVEMBER 2015 Vol. 1 Iss. 6

House Rescue “I have to save this house!”

Habitat for Humanity building second home in Bradford

Local contractors talk remodeling

ʻAmerican Pickersʼ in Wellsville

How to make older homes more energy efficient

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Habitat for Humanity building second home in Bradford

By Alex Davis

Special to House & Home

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abitat for Humanity McKean County has embarked on a $70,000 capital campaign to build a second house in Bradford — this time on Congress Street.

Officials recently unveiled plans that call for a single-family, one-story home with at least three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a possible partial basement as well as a large yard in which children can play.

The goal is to break ground in the spring, with the family moving in during autumn or early winter, Habitat for Humanity McKean County President Sami Placer said.

Organization members are excited, motivated and ready to build the second home, she added.

The campaign kicked off Sept. 1, seeking donations from area organizations. In a few weeks, Habitat officials will send letters to hundreds of local residents for financial help, Placer said.

“It’s not a hand-out as much as we consider it a hand-up,” she said. “They’re paying for the home, but at a 0 percent interest. The loan is through us pretty much, and they pay us a stipend — a payment for the house. Some people choose 20 years, some people 25, 30, but we work with them based on their income.”

As part of the Habitat home construction, the family puts in “sweat equity,” or work on the home, board member Harry Solarek said. Other family members can pitch in, too, he said.

“If they’re not capable (of working on the home), they can serve lunches, they can hand out lemonade to workers,” Solarek said.

In addition, individuals are able to volunteer at events such as Pumpkin Fest in Bradford that would count toward their “sweat equity” hours.

The Congress Street project is also sure to bring about many other volunteers, in addition to the Bradford Area High School vocational technology program.

The Habitat’s primary objectives are simple, decent and af-

fordable, Solarek said.

“I think back to our first person that we had in our first Habitat house,” Placer added. “And she started out as a single mom who needed a home, and she was working really hard and to the point where she worked hard enough that she got married, had another child and moved to a better job, to a better home.

And we propelled her to a better place, and we gave her an opportunity she might not have had before.”

The first home is on the corner of Interstate Parkway and Willard Avenue in Bradford.

“It’s oddly shaped, but it’s gorgeous inside. It’s really a beautiful home,” Placer said.

But why has Bradford been selected again for a Habitat home? The city has available land, Placer said.

“That’s where our largest base of support is, too,” Solarek said.

Although the 6-year-old, local organization has not built a home in a few years, officials have kept busy. The Habitat has focused on renovation projects, including kitchen floors and steps, according to Solarek and Placer.

And in August, the local Habitat received $2,870 raised from the sale of tickets sold at 17 Valu Home Centers, one of which is in Bradford. Individuals bought tickets at Valu Home Centers for a 2015 Ford Focus. Amy Harten of Bradford won the vehicle.

For the local Habitat, money received has to go toward a renovation or a home build, Solarek said.

Those looking to donate to the organization can visit http:// mckeanhabitat.com/.

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Local contractors talk remodeling

By Diana Mcelfresh Special to House & Home

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esidential remodeling jobs can be burdensome for homeowners. Luckily for Olean-area residents, many local contractors are available to help ease that pain.

Carm Mikolajczyk of Rick Mikolajczyk Contracting in Olean says contracting jobs can be laborious processes, especially if they include roofing.

“Roofing is one of the hardest jobs,” Mikolajczyk says, explaining that to complete a roofing job, contractors need professional insurance.

Tearing down walls can also prove to be tricky, as the wall in question may be load-bearing, according to Mikolajczyk.

“If it is load-bearing, you have to be very careful or you could bring down your roof with your wall,” she says.

For remodeling jobs, architects are helpful for residents, Mikolajczyk says.

“You can get your own architect to draw up what you want,” she says, “Your blueprint gives a list of materials and shows (the contractor) what the client wants.”

John Beam of Artisan Contracting of WNY in Olean agrees with Mikolajczyk.

“Architects help protect the contractor,” Beam says. “The architect is ultimately responsible for structural integrity.”

For a residential remodeling job, Beam says picking the right person for the remodel can be tough. He recommends going through the Better Business Bureau, finding ratings of local contractors and finally getting two or three references from previous clients of the contractor.

“Find a contractor with a physical location,” Beam recommends. “You don’t just want a guy with a truck and a ladder, so you don’t expose yourself and your home to undue liability from faulty workmanship. … You have to have somebody knowledgeable.”

When remodeling, homeowners should be sure to obtain a building permit, workers’ compensation and liability insurance, Beam says.

“Say there’s a fire while remodeling,” he says. “That’s covered under liability insurance.”

Contractor creativity is pretty limited during residential remodels, according to Beam.

“My creativity isn’t necessary,” he says. “Essentially, it’s (the client’s) lips to my hands.”

Mikolajczyk said that while remodeling can seem simple when portrayed on reality television shows, the process itself can be laborious.

“A lot of homeowners do their own repairs, but when working on roofing, electric, plumbing or heating, you should get a professional,” she says.

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Our area’s dedicated realtors offer you many properties some of which are highlighted in House & Home Spotlights. Call an agent today.

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By Deb Wuethrich

Special to House & Home

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ue Payne confesses to being something of a “house rescuer” when it comes to finding a beautiful home in distress.

In fact, one of her first thoughts upon getting inside a three-story house at 35 Temple St. was, “I have to save this house!”

Frank Tyler of Westons Mills Lumber built the home circa 1895. He was active in the Masonic Temple, and his wife, Mary, was a member of Eastern Star. An article in the Bolivar Breeze in 1895 described the house as a “skyscraper” because of its shape and height and noted that it would be built on the Warden house lot. What would later become Temple Street was then called Green Street.

Sue Payne and her husband, Dr. Richard Payne, who own and operate Haskell Valley Veterinary Clinic, purchased the house in 2011 and immediately started work on the roof, which was leaking.

Payne had worked in older homes before, including rentals the couple still own in Portville, and she learned that she enjoys doing many tasks herself.

A previous owner removed asbestos from the basement and tore out plaster and lathe materials.

“They did all that hard work, so I got the house stripped to the studs,” she said. “They loved the house, too, and left all the woodwork intact.”

The woodwork is one of the defining characteristics of the house, with rich chestnut used for the stair banisters, a carved archway and fireplace on the main floor and other woodwork. Wood on the second floor is from fir trees.

“Legend has it that Mr. Tyler, who was in the business, would not allow any knots in the wood and stood at the door inspecting material as it came in,” Payne said. “I’ve cleaned and scrubbed a lot of wood so far, and I can’t find any knots, so it may be true.”

The combination of wood and ample light in the house gives off a golden glow throughout the open rooms.

House Rescue continues on page

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Portville house being restored to former grandeur

Deb Wuethrich/Olean Times Herald Sue Payne stands next to a carved archway of burnished wood suggests an earlier grandeur in the house and will be restored on the main floor.

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House Rescue continued from page

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Payne also enlists the assistance of a family friend, electrical contractor Scott Kincaid, who co-owns Kel-kur Electric in Olean.

“Scott does all the dry wall,” she said. “He’s fussy and particular, so he does a very good job.”

Payne also relies on Kincaid and other contractors to guide her when she works on the house herself.

“If I do it wrong, they’ll tell me, even if I have to start over,” she said. “I’m learning as I go.”

While her husband has assisted with specific projects, including recent use of the table saw, his busy vet practice limits his contribution. Sue Payne manages the veterinary office, but she said she spends most evenings and weekends on the house—along with most of her paycheck.

They purchased the home for approximately $56,000 and will have an estimated $200,000 invested by completion. The third floor was completed first and is now a well-lit apartment continues on next page

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with high windows, two bedrooms, an open living space and a small kitchen. The Paynes’ daughter, Kimberly, currently resides there.

“It’s nice to have someone on the premises, and it gives me a place to take a break,” Payne said. “I’ll go up, and she’ll give me a cup of coffee.”

The daughter’s friends who have come to visit are impressed with the birds-eye view and can’t wait to see the rest of the house finished.

Closets on the second floor are being converted into bathrooms connected to bedrooms for a bed-and-breakfast called Enchanted Valley Inn, which Payne hopes to open next year sometime. The rooms are spacious, several with leaded and stained glass windows and window seat possibilities. The rooms will be named for famous authors such as Mark Twain and C.S. Lewis.

The Paynes went before Portville’s Building Use Committee for a variance, which was approved, to open the bed-andbreakfast.

“We’ll try it and see if it flies,” Payne said.

The main floor will have an old-fashioned parlor and large kitchen in addition to its entryway, where stairs climb toward the sky. There are three sets of pocket doors that Sue said “needed a little love,” but they all work. A set of servant stairs also flanks the back of the house.

Floors are parquet with inlaid designs that are different in every room. Payne is looking forward to how they will look after the work is done and the beautiful floors are cleaned.

Payne is continuing her research on the house, which she believes to be a Craftsman or Queen Anne, and is trying to find out who the architect was. She hopes to have it listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which will not only provide property tax advantages, but also potentially bring guests to the inn that are interested in staying at historic landmarks. She’s sent photos to an office in Syracuse and has been encouraged about the possibility of being listed, but more specific history is

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needed to complete the process.

Payne hopes to tie the inn together with local tourism.

“I have a lot of ideas,” she said.

Payne’s goal is to also get the building connected with the area’s river trail and the Pfeiffer Nature Center, and she even wants to provide box lunches and agri-tourism connected to the family’s 400-acre farm. The inn would also use local products and focus on New York-produced goods.

“This is an amazing house, and I have big plans,” she said.

“Maybe in seven years or so, it will all be up and running.”

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ʻAmerican Pickersʼ search for treasures in Wellsville E

arlier this fall, the former Mather Homestead on North Main Street in Wellsville became something of a sensation when it was featured on the popular cable television show “American Pickers.”

The stars of the History channel show, Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, “picked” the property this past spring in taping for the show, and the segment was included in the season premiere in October.

Barbara Cobb, owner of the Mather Homestead, which she had inherited from her relative, Barbara Williams, had reached out to the producers of “American Pickers.” After producers had scouted out the site, it was selected from among more than 70 potential sites in upstate New York.

Highlights of the “Pickers” segment at the Mather Homestead included Wolfe buying a vintage bicycle, which he found in the carriage house behind the home. The bicycle had been ridden by Barbara Williams, an heiress whose family members had lived in the house for three generations.

The Pickers also checked out the 1937 Cord 812 convertible, the beautiful, rare automobile owned by Williams. The Cord, in original condition and owned by Williams since she was 17, was one of the items on the property that drew “American Pickers” to Wellsville.

“Mike and Frank loved the car, but did not make an offer,” Cobb said. “The price is set on the Cord and there was no bartering.”

The pickers moved on finding an elephant lampshade, painted by Tony Sarg. Sarg was an artist and designer who had created the first balloons for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. He had painted murals for a restaurant in Cleveland owned by Williams’ father. The Pickers contacted Danielle Colby Cushman, familiar to regular viewers of the show as their home-base contact who “directs” their travels and connects them with experts on certain items.

“They had Danielle call a ‘Tony Sarg expert,’ (a man named Raphael) and he described the wonders and talents of Tony Sarg and loved the murals and elephant — especially the elephant,” Cobb said.

In all, Cobb said the day was exhausting, but she particularly enjoyed a lunchtime break at Texas Hot, during which Wolfe

Photo Submitted “American Pickers” stars Frank Fritz (left) and Mike Wolfe (right) are shown with Barbara Cobb, owner of the Mather Homestead in Wellsville, and her son David. The “American Pickers” show featuring the Mather Homestead premiered in October.

talked a great deal about his television experiences — and the explosion of what he called “artifactual transactional television” shows on cable.

Adding to his already hectic life, Wolfe is now working on two new shows, sold to HTV, that tap into the explosion of real estate-related and home renovation shows.

“Nashville Flip” will star the house as the character. It is about who built the house, when was it built, where did the materials come from and what the neighborhood like. “‘It is not about tearing it apart and making 50 grand,’” Wolfe said to Cobb.

The other show is “Saving America,” about people who at some point in their life decide to move back home to a small town. They left home, went to college, got married and now want to raise their children where they were raised, around family. The show will feature couples in their later 20s and early 30s facing the challenges of being first-time home buyers, employment, schools and lifestyle in their small towns.

“Mike commented that Wellsville would not be a good choice for that show,” Cobb said, “because he was impressed at what a prosperous town Wellsville is, with a strong main street, compared to towns he has seen across the country.”

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Milestones, Anniversaries, and Legacies

By Harry L. Rinker Harry L. Rinker, LLC

Column #1300, written in late December 2011, was the 25th anniversary column for “Rinker on Collectibles”. Writing 1,300 weekly columns without missing a deadline required a major commitment. At the time, I seriously questioned if I had the desire and fortitude to continue.

After wrestling briefly with the question of what is the lifetime of a weekly column, I decided to continue. My reasons were twofold. First, I wanted to continue analyzing and interpreting the digital revolution that still impacts the trade. Second, many of the traditional collectors were reaching an advanced age. During the next decade, many of these collections will re-enter the secondary market. What impact would the Great Recession and changes in the collecting focus of the antiques and collectibles trade have on the value of these collections?

I set a goal of 1,500 columns. Once I reached that milestone, I would revisit the future of “Rinker on Collectibles.” When I wrote “Rinker on Collectibles” Column #1301, that decision was almost four years in the future. The future is now.

This is “Rinker on Collectibles” Column #1500.

It is a milestone column, one of those numerical columns, such as 100, 250, 500, and 1,000 that means more to the writer than to his/her readers. It does not signify an anniversary. “Rinker on Collectibles” Column #1560 will mark the column’s 30th anniversary.

When I wrote the “Rinker on Collectibles” columns commemorating the 20th anniversary column, I reflected back on the changes that transpired in the previous 20 years. Column #1300 chronicled the additional changes in the intervening five

years.

[Author’s Aside #1: Those readers who are unfamiliar with my 20th and 25th anniversary columns can read them on the “Rinker on Collectibles Special Series Column” URL on www.harryrinker.com<http://www.harryrinker.com>. I have asked Dana Morykan, my friend, webmaster for www.harryrinker.com<http://www. harryrinker.com>, and “Rinker on Collectibles” proofreader for more than 20 years, to add Columns #1040 and #1042 to the 20th-year series and Column #1300 to the 25th-year series to provide a fuller overview.]

I checked “Rinker on Collectibles” Column #1000 to see if I did anything special. I did not. It was a text column devoted to the question of whether one can own too much stuff. I argued in favor of the negative. While I still would take the same position, my own personal experience has raised doubts. Ten years ago, I had no thoughts of getting rid of anything. Five years ago, I had to face the fact that there was no way I could move everything I owned to a new home in Michigan. I have watched almost two-thirds of my things find homes with new owners over the past two and one-half years. Today, I am organizing what remains as the first step to cataloging and creating a disposal plan, not for me (although it may come to that) but for Linda should something happen to me.

[Author’s Aside #2: I recently celebrated my 74th birthday, neither a milestone nor an anniversary. However, the older one gets, the more every birthday seems like a milestone. The Germans treat every fifth birthday after 65 as an anniversary.

Having attended a few raucous 70th, 80th, and 85th German birthday parties, I appreciate the merit of this approach. The celebrant pays for the party, not my inter-

continues on next page

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pretation of what should occur. Unlike my European German friends, Pennsylvania Germans, my ancestors, are somewhat thrifty, a polite term for cheap. I am not convinced this is how I want to spend my money when I turn 75.]

As I get older, I find myself thinking more and more about my legacy. Linda argues that I should have thought about it much earlier in life. One cannot undo the past. A person is who he/she is.

My “Rinker on Collectibles” column is just one of my many written antiques and collectibles legacies. As I consolidate my paper files in an effort to decide what to save and what to discard, I am astonished by the number of articles, columns, newsletters, and reports I have written over the past 40 years. Many articles, columns, and reports appeared in trade publications that no longer exist.

I recently found a file containing the hardcopy for No. 30 through 39 of “The Rinker Report,” that appeared in “Collectors News” in the 1990s. “The Rinker Report” contained a “What’s Hot, What’s Not” section that “reported and commented about antiques and collectibles categories that have been traded during the last several months” and two think pieces, these in addition to my thoughts on “Rinker on Collectibles.”

Currently, there are four completely full file drawers containing hardcopies of my articles, columns, newsletters, and reports. This is insufficient draw space, especially if I make hard copies of the internet blogs I wrote for several different websites. I estimate there is enough additional material to fill at least another full file cabinet that I do not own nor for which I have space.

The above does not include my book files. As I went through my material, I made the difficult decision to discard all book drafts, proofs, and final blue lines (the final check before publishing). I applied the “Who Will Care” criteria, a question any collector or accumulator is loath to ask.

When considering the “Who Will Care” criteria in respect to the files containing my articles, columns, newsletters, and reports, I made a different decision. This is a legacy I do not want to die. Such a statement sounds selfish. It is. I take pride in what I have and still hope to contribute to the understanding of how the antiques and collectibles marketplace functions.

A paper legacy is very different from an object legacy. Object life is measured in generations, even centuries. Although I question extra value being assigned to any object because it was once part of one of my collections, I understand the potential marketing sale value. I recently decided to sell a collection of Continental currency I accumulated in the 1970s and 1980s. After meeting with George Cuhaj, Vice President of Cataloging and Consignor Relations for Archives International Auction, I consigned the notes to AIA. Much to my surprise, the lots were listed as “The Harry Rinker Collection of Colonial Era Banknotes.”

Paper legacy has a much shorter lifetime. There is a limit to how much ephemera can survive, although owners of large under and above ground storage facilities might argue to the contrary. The internet “cloud” increases the possibilities exponentially.

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The difficulty is that I am a member of the generations who lived the majority of their lifetime prior to the arrival of the digital age. I do not trust the cloud, perhaps because I have read one too many stories focusing on electronic warfare. I am a hardcopy guy. I want to hold the paper in my hand.

Further, most paper legacies have limited to no financial value. Their intellectual property value is directly related to the “who will care” test. In 100 years, who will care about the writing legacy of a person who tracked, analyzed, and interpreted changes in the antiques and collectibles trade? No academician, that is for certain. Those historians who study antiques and collectibles are object focused.

The antiques and collectibles trade as a business had no historiography.

When Rinker Enterprises, Inc., was headquartered at the former Vera Cruz (Pennsylvania) Elementary School, a sign on one of the hallway bulletin boards read: “He who dies with the biggest pile wins.” The assumption was that the pile would keep getting bigger.

As one gets older, the emphasis is no longer on making the pile bigger but questioning what is achieved by making the pile bigger. When does one reach a point where enough is enough - what needs to be said, has been said? I find myself asking this question with greater frequency than I did in the past.

What I still do is fun, my principal criteria for continuing. “Rinker on Collectibles” will continue with the goal of reaching Column #1560, a much shorter window of time than the jump from Column #1300 to Column #1500.

To achieve this goal, I must write 30 more think piece text columns. My list of potential text columns stands at 12. I need 18 more ideas. Upon what aspect, question, or change in the antiques and collectibles trade would you like me to pontificate? Email your suggestions to harrylrinker@aol.com<mailto:harrylriker@aol. com>. And, thanks for reading “Rinker on Collectibles.”

[Author’s Aside #3: I used pontificate because some in the trade have credited me with more powers than I actually have. In reality, I am just another voice crying in the wilderness.]

Harry L. Rinker welcomes questions from readers about collectibles, those mass-produced items from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Selected letters will be answered in this column. Harry cannot provide personal answers. Photos and other material submitted cannot be returned. Send your questions to: Rinker on Collectibles, 5955 Mill Point Court SE, Kentwood, MI 49512. You also can e-mail your questions to harrylrinker@aol.com. Only e-mails containing a full name and mailing address will be considered.

You can listen and participate in WHATCHA GOT?, Harry’s antiques and collectibles radio call-in show, on Sunday mornings between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM Eastern Time. If you cannot find it on a station in your area, WHATCHA GOT? streams live on the Internet at www.gcnlive.com.

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How to make older homes more energy efficient O

lder properties tend to have a sense of charm that newly built homes may lack. Perhaps it’s their lived-in feel or design elements that remind homeowners of yesteryear that make older homes so popular among home buyers.

What older homes have in character they may lack in modern amenities. For example, whereas many homes are now built with energy efficiency in mind, older homes may not be so eco-friendly. Fortunately, there are many ways for homeowners who love their older homes to keep that love going strong while making their homes more energy efficient at the same time.

• Check for leaks and plug any you find. Homes may develop air leaks over time, and such leaks allow air to infiltrate the home. When that occurs, homeowners instinctively turn up the thermostat in winter to combat the cold air getting in. Come summertime, those same homeowners will run their air conditioners on a higher setting in an effort to stay comfortable when

hot air is creeping through the cracks. Rather than adjusting the temperature inside, fix any sources of air infiltration you find.

Run your hand along doorways and windows to determine if any drafts are coming through. Older homes may also develop cracks in bricks, around the foundation and in siding or stucco.

Seal any areas where you feel air infiltrating your home, which will save money, reduce your energy consumption and make your older home more efficient.

• Add insulation. Many older homes are poorly insulated.

But according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, adding insulation can reduce energy costs by as much as 50 percent. Installing insulation can be tricky, especially if insulation was not originally included in your home, as is sometimes the case with older homes. Insulation can become damp and prove ineffective if installed improperly. Damp insulation continues on next page

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NY SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Replacing old or inadequate insulation is one way that homeowners can make older homes more energy efficient.

also may contribute to mold growth and rot in the home’s framing. Older homes may be lacking adequate insulation around attics, crawl spaces, basements, heating and cooling ducts, and water pipes. Cover your water heater with an insulated water heater blanket so the heater retains more heat and consumes less energy to heat the water.

• Stay on top of your home. Much like older vehicles, older homes require a little extra TLC on the part of homeowners. Don’t allow your home to fall into disrepair. Even if your energy bills are not on the rise, inspect windows and doors to make sure they are closing tightly, as over time such seemingly minor problems can add up to substantial energy loss. Don’t forget to clean gutters and downspouts, removing debris that can add up and lead to water damage that may ultimately compromise the effectiveness of your home’s insulation.

• Book an energy audit. Energy audits, which may be offered free of charge by your utility company, can help detect any additional areas where a home may be using energy inefficiently. Even if you have to pay for an audit, the cost savings if any additional inefficiencies are discovered will likely add up to more than the cost of the audit.

Older homes are attractive to many homeowners, who can take several steps to make sure their homes are operating as

Cattaraugus County

Allegany County

Allegany-Limestone Central School District 3131 Five Mile Road Allegany, NY 14706 716-375-6600

Alfred-Almond Central School District 6795 Route 21 Almond, NY 14804 607-276-2981

Cattaraugus-Little Valley Central School District 207 Rock City Street Little Valley, NY 14755 716-938-9155

Andover Central School District 31-35 Elm Street Andover, NY 14806 607-478-8491

Ellicottville Central School District 5873 Route 219 Ellicottville, NY 14731 716-699-2368 Franklinville Central School District 31 North Main Street Franklinville, NY 14737 716-676-8029 Gowanda Central School District 10674 Prospect Street Gowanda, NY 14070 716-532-3325 Hinsdale Central School District 3701 Main Street Hinsdale, NY 14743 716-557-2227 Olean City School District 410 West Sullivan Street Olean, NY 14760 716-375-8018 Portville Central School District 500 Elm Street Portville, NY 14770 716-933-7141 Randolph Central School District 18 Main Street Randolph, NY 14772 716-358-6161 Salamanca City School District 50 Iroquois Drive Salamanca, NY 14779 716-945-2403 Southern Tier Catholic School and Archbishop Walsh Academy 208 North 24th Street Olean NY 14760 716.372.8122 West Valley Central School District 5359 School Street West Valley, NY 14171 716-942-3293 Yorkshire-Pioneer Central School District 12125 County Line Road Yorkshire, NY 14173 716-492-9304

Belfast Central School District 1 King Street Belfast, NY 14711 585-365-9940 Bolivar-Richburg Central School District 100 School Street Bolivar, NY 14715 585-928-2561 Canaseraga Central School District 4-8 Main Street Canaseraga, NY 14822 607-545-6421 Cuba-Rushford Central School District 5476 Route 305 Cuba, NY 14727 585-968-1556 Fillmore Central School District 104 Main Street Fillmore, NY 14735 585-567-2251 Friendship Central School District 46 West Main Street Friendship, NY 14739 716-973-3534 Genesee Valley Central School District 1 Jaguar Dr Belmont, NY 14813 585-268-7900 Scio Central School District 3968 Washington Street Scio, NY 14880 585-593-5510 Wellsville Central School District 126 West State Street Wellsville, NY 14895 585-596-2170 Whitesville Central School District 692 Main Street Whitesville, NY 14897 607-356-3301

Pennsylvania School Districts on page

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PA SCHOOL DISTRICTS McKean County, Pa.

Potter County, Pa.

Bradford Area School District 150 Lorana Ave. P.O. Box 375 Bradford, Pa. 16701 | 814-362-3841

Austin Area School District 138 Costello Ave. Austin, Pa. 16720 (814) 647-8603

Otto-Eldred School District 143 R.L. Sweitzer Drive Duke Center, Pa. 16729 814-817-1380 Smethport Area School District 414 S. Mechanic St. Smethport, Pa. 16749-1522 814-887-5543 Kane Area School District 400 W. Hemlock Ave. Kane, Pa. 16735 814-837-9570 Port Allegany School District 87 Clyde Lynch Drive Port Allegany, Pa. 16743 814-642-2590

Coudersport Area School District 698 Dwight St. Coudersport, Pa. 16915 814-274-9480 Northern Potter School District 745 Northern Potter Road Ulysses, Pa. 16948 814-848-7506 Oswayo Valley Area School District 277 Oswayo St. Shinglehouse, Pa. 16748 814-597-7175

Cameron County, Pa. Cameron County School District 601 Woodland Ave. Emporium, Pa. 15834 814-486-4000

House & Home

NOVEMBER 19, 2015

THE BRADFORD ERA • OLEAN TIMES HERALD • THE SALAMANCA PRESS

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Tips for first-time home buyers B

uying a home for the first time is an exciting period in a person’s life. Deciding to buy a home often indicates buyers are ready to establish firm roots in a community where they can see themselves living for years to come.

The process of buying a home is rarely easy, and first-time buyers may feel overwhelmed at times. Such feelings are perfectly normal and felt by first-time buyers regardless of their budgets or home preferences. But there are a few ways to make buying a home more enjoyable than it is nerve-wracking.

• Examine your finances. The first step toward buying a home has nothing to do with deciding if you prefer a craftsmanor Tudor-style home. Before you even begin your search for a home, carefully examine your finances to determine how much is coming in and how much is going out of your household each month. Figure out how much debt you are currently carrying, be it student loan, automotive, consumer or any other types of debt. Order a credit report so you can see how prospective lenders are likely to see you, and address any errors you find on the report before meeting with any lenders. Peruse past bank statements to track your spending habits, looking for areas where you might be able to scale back if need be.

• Be prepared when visiting lenders. Prospective borrowers can make the home-buying process go smoothly by having all of the necessary documentation ready when visiting potential lenders. Many mortgage lenders will want to see some recent pay stubs (from both borrowers if buying with a spouse or partner), a couple years’ worth of W-2s and tax returns, as well as your recent bank statements. You can always call ahead and ask lenders what they need to see when applying for a loan.

Having these materials ready in advance means you will spend less time at the bank and more time finding the right home for you.

• Secure financing before you begin house hunting. Many first-time home buyers might not realize the benefits of securing financing before they begin looking for a home. Mortgage preapproval lets buyers know how much a bank will loan them, meaning they won’t spend time looking at homes they can’t afford. In addition, preapproval means buyers won’t lose out on their dream homes as they scramble to secure financing after

making an offer.

• Work with a local real estate agent. Real estate agents are an invaluable resource to home buyers and are especially valuable to those buyers who have never before purchased a home.

Agents can help first-time buyers navigate the often confusing and, at times, disappointing process of buying a home. Choose an agent who is established in the area where you want to buy a home. He or she can provide information about local property taxes and schools as well as a multitude of additional issues that first-time buyers may not think of. Agents also know the lay of the land regarding home prices, which can ease first-time buyers’ fears about overpaying for their first homes.

A home is the biggest purchase many people will ever make. First-time buyers may be intimidated as they begin searching for their homes, but there are several ways to make the process go smoothly. TF15C696

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THE BRADFORD ERA • OLEAN TIMES HERALD • THE SALAMANCA PRESS

House & Home

NOVEMBER 19, 2015