Whenever you are thinking about a real estate transaction in a certain area, it is a good idea to research what the markets are doing. Looking for a home in a Buffalo zip code means keeping to that rule of thumb. What kind of home prices will couples who have just been married find when the brides step out of their Maggie Sottero wedding gowns and get ready to buy? If you want to sell a Buffalo home, what kind of price can you expect to fetch?

As is the case with all real estate, whether or not that in Buffalo is a good buy or sell for you depends on where you are coming from. Right near the Canadian border, Buffalo has recently attracted an influx of Canadians taking advantage of a large price discrepancy on comparable homes. They can get a new 3,000 square foot home, complete with items such as a modern bathroom vanity and impeccable landscaping for under $350,000. That's incredible when one compares the prices just across the lake, in the Greater Toronto Area.

On the other hand, if you are coming from other points in the northern United States, Buffalo's prices will tend to be on par with what you are used to. On average, home owners are listing their properties at $230,000. That's for a standard two storey, four bedroom two bathroom home about 1500 square feet. There's enough room for your tank and its aquarium gravel, a couple of kids, on the whole in the average American home.

In fact, when one looks at the Buffalo area, the city itself has lower priced real estate than many areas around it. That's good news for anyone who wants to commute to work in one of the nearby cities.

Selling your house, on the other hand, can be a bit of a problem. Like the rest of the country, Buffalo is still in a buyer's market, and really has been for longer than most places. Even if owners were to add desirable touches such as a tankless water heater, homes are still likely to sell for much less than the average listing price. When you list your home, make sure to be realistic about the price you expect to get.

Finally, as in all cities, some areas of Buffalo tend to be more appealing than others. Buyers shy away from paying high prices in the central and eastern parts of the city, where loud cars blaring funk music are common both night and day. Western and north central home owners are lucky, though, as their homes are amongst the most sought after.