There are, within the City of Buffalo, areas designated as Urban Renewal Areas (URA’s) and Comprehensive Code Enforcement Areas (CCE’s) where homes can be purchased for one dollar.  Yes, ONE DOLLAR!  

FYI - The Homestead Map of Buffalo and the Homestead Street Listing, detail these Urban Renewal Areas.

Properties that are within these designated boundaries are eligible for inclusion in the Urban Homestead Program, with certain conditions: 1.) the property is not needed for public purposes and 2.) no qualified buyer has attempted to purchase the property. A sale takes precedence over a homestead. (The City has to make some cash if possible!) Applicants can acquire property in these areas for one Dollar ($1.00) plus the required closing costs.

There are three ways to participate in the Urban Homestead Program. Each requires a completed REQUEST TO ACQUIRE CITY OWNED PROPERTY form:

• This request asks that a purchaser provide some basic information to the City before a purchase file is opened. The information required is specific to residential structure or vacant lot acquisition. The REQUEST must be submitted to the Division of Real Estate for review and release by the Land Use Planning Committee.
• If the Land Use Planning Committee determines that the property is needed for public purpose or development and can not be released, the Division of Real Estate will notify the interested party.

So check out the list of City owned properties and pick a home up “on the cheap”.  Note that the list is just a small fraction of City owned properties.  (The Real Estate Division should offer an updated and comprehensive list with photos, etc.  but they must be too busy!)   For a complete list click here and search under owner for “City of Buffalo”.

These homes are probably not for everyone due to the condition of the surrounding neighborhood but remember that even the biggest of journeys begins with a single step.  Happy home hunting!