Category: Uncategorized

Are you looking for a place to explore some of the best fall foliage in Western New York?  Head on down to the gorgeous town of Ellicottville, NY this Columbus Day Weekend for their Annual Fall Fest held on October 8^th and 9^th.

The streets of Ellicottville will be full of craft and food vendors as well as fun activities for the whole family to enjoy.  While you have the opportunity to enjoy some of the most unique foods and events on the streets, you can also stop by some of the most popular restaurants and stores right in the heart of town.  From the famous homemade meatballs at The Villaggio to the refreshing craft beer at Ellicottville Brewing Company, this town has it all.

If you really want to enjoy the beautiful views of the fall, make sure you head over to Holiday Valley for the amazing mountain views.  On Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4pm they will be offering chair lift rides to the top of the mountain!  These scenic rides are a lot of fun and give you the best views of the beautiful fall colors.  Holiday Valley will also be offering live entertainment all weekend!  On Saturday the Tommy Z Band will be performing on the top of the Mardi Gras lift from noon to 4pm and The Strangers will be performing at the Cabana Bar from 3pm to 7pm.  On Sunday the Black and Blues Band will be performing at the top of the Mardi Gras lift from noon to 4pm and the Party Squad will be at the Cabana Bar from 3pm to 7pm.

Do you want to stay active during the weekend?  Not a problem because there will be a 5k run on Saturday and a mountain bike race on Sunday.  Whether you want to compete in the race or just go for a leisurely run to enjoy the beautiful fall weather, the annual 5k run is a perfect event for you!  If running isn’t for you, then grab your mountain bike and join in on the rugged race through the mountains.  Fall Fest has all of the outdoor activities that you need to have an exciting weekend.

If you don’t have plans yet for this Columbus Day weekend, then you will not want to miss out on the best fall tradition that the area has to offer.  Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway or a fun family weekend, Ellicottville’s Fall Fest will make your weekend worthwhile.

When you’re in town, be sure to stop by our office at 12 Washington Street! Whether you’re just saying hi or are interested in checking out our Real Estate or Vacation Rental listings, we would love to see you!

Are you someone who enjoys Chautauqua Institution and would love to have a great place to stay right on the grounds?  Why not rent one of our 12-RCI timeshares at the beautiful NorthShore condos, which are available all year round.  These condos are the only timeshares available within Chautauqua Institution and are a very smart way to live!

The NorthShore condos were built in 1983 for an easier more accessible way for people to own or rent a property in Chautauqua Institution without the fulltime commitment.  Although these condos were built in the 80’s, many updates have been made and they are looking better than ever!  Some of the upgrades include a new exterior paint, new gas fireplaces, new carpet, and new main entry doors. Additionally, NorthShore offers two in ground heated swimming pools which are open throughout the summer season!

You can rent one of the NorthShore timeshares at any time throughout year. Whether you’re looking for a nice family getaway or just excited to enjoy the beauty of this area, the NorthShore condos are a perfect place to stay!  While living in Chautauqua during the summer season is always fantastic, the offseason is also a great time to be on the grounds.  In the offseason you are not required to have a gate pass and the parking is free, not to mention the grounds are much quieter this time of year, if it is privacy you’re looking for. These timeshares give you every excuse to enjoy the four seasons, as well as the beautiful grounds of Chautauqua Institution to their fullest potential!

Whether you want to visit Niagara Falls, local breweries, or wine country… or you’re interested in winter adventures such as skiing and snowmobiling, the NorthShore condos are in a great location that is easily accessible to all of the amazing attractions around the Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania area!  Endless opportunities await you!

Get more bang for your buck and take advantage of one of these premiere NorthShore timeshares.  Whether you buy a condo, rent a condo, or trade a condo, we have what you’re looking for!

Click here for a complete list of NorthShore Timeshare Intervals For Sale

Did you know that ERA Team VP Real Estate & Vacation Rentals will be featuring 16+ seasonal rental properties in Ellicottville, NY for the 2016/2017 winter season?  From December to April we will be offering a wide variety of properties that are perfect for the whole family!  Winters in Ellicottville are a blast and you will not want to miss out on these special offers that will make this winter one to remember!

Make a place your own this winter because we are featuring a plethora of different properties to choose from, all within a 7-mile radius of downtown Ellicottville!  We offer chalets, townhouses, condos, cabins, and more!  Some rental properties are located at Holiday Valley and HoliMont resorts for those of you who love the action on the slopes, while other properties are tucked away in the beautiful countryside of this amazing town!  No matter what you are looking for, we have it for you in Ellicottville this winter!

Not only are these seasonal rental properties in a perfect location for your winter fun, but they are also a very affordable and smart thing for you to look into.  If you are a person that wants to be in Ellicottville for multiple weekends a winter, then these properties are for you!  Why not have a beautiful rental property for your friends and family to enjoy for the whole winter?  The beautiful town of Ellicottville offers skiing, snowboarding, tubing, great shopping and dining, and so much more!

Why not stop at our conveniently located office that is a one-stop-shop in the heart of town to plan your winter vacation of a lifetime today! Whether you want to ski down the slopes,bundle up by the fireplace, or enjoy the beautiful country and mountain views and atmosphere in Ellicottville, we have you covered this winter with the best seasonal rental properties that this area has to offer.

In addition to our seasonal rental properties, we also offer 50+ rental properties to satisfy all of our weekend vacationers!  Contact ERA Team VP Real Estate & Vacation Rentals to book your stay today!

Want to know what you have to look forward to this weekend in Ellicottville, NY for the Jazz and Blues Fest? Each and every venue will have great food, drinks, and an amazing atmosphere for you to enjoy!  This free event is fun for all ages, and a great way to entertain friends and family for one of the best summer weekends yet!

Explore some of Ellicottville’s most popular attractions throughout the entire weekend! Starting tonight there will be two places in particular that you will want to spend your time for some great jazz music.  Balloons Restaurant & NightClub has a special performance from the Tommy Z Band at 7 PM and The Gin Mill will have the Blue Light Blues Band starting at 9 PM!  Stop by for some wings and delicious drinks to dance the night away and start the weekend off right!

The festivities continue on Saturday and will go all day long! Prepare yourself because this day is packed full of fun entertainment to meet everyone’s needs.  Starting at 1 PM the Winery of Ellicottville Mainstage on Monroe Street is where you will want to be.  The Sugar Katty Cool Band will be performing throughout the afternoon!  Get your groove on and enjoy some high quality entertainment outside in the beautiful town of Ellicottville with restaurants and shops close by!

After an afternoon on Monroe Street, the fun will continue all through the night! The evening entertainment begins at Madigan’s at 5 PM with the Mick Hayes Band.  After that, head on over to Balloons Restaurant & Nightclub for the B.D. Lenz Band at 6 PM.  The night doesn’t stop there!  At 7 PM LTM Trio performs at the Silver Fox and Mojo Hand plays at Ellicottville Brewing Company!  If you really want to jam the night away, then head over to Dina’s for the Mike Moser & Marc Cousins Jazz Duo at 8:30 PM!  To end the night, stop by Villaggio for the Growlers Blues Band or head back to the Gin Mill for the Big Sauce Blues Band, both at 9 PM!

Throughout the weekend explore all of what the town of Ellicottville has to offer! There are great shops and restaurants all centrally located for your convenience.  No matter what venue you find yourself at this weekend you won’t be disappointed!  Take Sunday morning to wander and explore, and get ready for the grand finale! The Jazz and Blues Fest ends with the George Scott Big Band at the Winery of Ellicottville Mainstage at 1 PM!  Enjoy the beautiful day and the awesome jazz music to send off this special weekend!

The 2016 Listing Olympics came to an end on Wednesday, July 20^th with the closing ceremony party! In honor of the Olympics theme, everyone came dressed to impress in their designated “office country” colors.  The party was hosted at Broker/Owner Bill Soffel’s residence and it was a great venue for the event!  Olympic music played in the background to set the mood for all of the fun to be had.

Before the medals were presented and the contestants got their picture taken on the podium, there was great food and refreshments provided! There was a canoe cooler set up on the front lawn and catered food from Sandee’s of Jamestown.  Everyone really enjoyed the food and the great atmosphere that the party had to offer! There were also tents set up for people to sit in the shade and lawn games for everyone to enjoy!

Once everyone filled up with food and refreshments, the awards ceremony began!  The specially crafted ERA Team VP Real Estate & Vacation Rentals Olympics podium set the stage for the agents to receive their individual awards.  The Gold, Silver, and Bronze overall individual winners also got to choose from an Apple Watch, iPad Mini, and a free ticket and air fare to the ERA International Business Conference in Dallas, Texas!  Here are the results of our very own 2016 Listing Olympics:

INDIVIDUAL WINNERS

LISTINGS CATEGORY

1st place: Kathy Obermeyer, Bradford Jamaicans. 2nd place: Dave Zilker, Yorkshire Costa Ricans. 3rd place: Wayne Weaver, Chautauqua Swedes.

PROSPECTING CATEGORY

1st place: Karen Dolce, Chautauqua Swedes. Tied for 2nd place: Rita White & Debbie Hackett, Yorkshire Costa Ricans.

TRAINING CATEGORY

1st place: Rita White, Yorkshire Costa Ricans. 2nd place: Wendy Freiheit, Yorkshire Costa Ricans. 3rd place: Michelle Schmidt, Yorkshire Costa Ricans.

MARKETING CATEGORY

1st place: Debbie Hackett, Yorkshire Costa Ricans. 2nd place: Wayne Weaver, Chautauqua Swedes. 3rd place: Cathy & Melanie Pritchard, Ellicottville Turkeys

ZAP CATEGORY

1st place: Wayne Weaver, Chautauqua Swedes. 2nd place: Debbie Hackett, Yorkshire Costa Ricans. 3rd place: Jane Grice, Chautauqua Swedes.

OVERALL INDIVIDUAL WINNERS

1st place: Debbie Hackett, Yorkshire Costa Ricans. 2nd place: Wayne Weaver, Chautauqua Swedes. 3rd place: Rita White, Yorkshire Costa Ricans.

OVERALL TEAM WINNERS

1st place: 30% more listings over the previous year… Cayman Islands of Cuba (pictured left to right: Wendy Freiheit, Paul Conklin and Broker/Owner Bill Soffel)

2nd place: 21% more listings over the previous year… Yorkshire Costa Ricans (pictured left to right: Debbie Hackett, Rita White, Michelle Schmidt, Kathy Hittle, Dave Zilker)

3rd place: 15% more listings over the previous year… Ellicottville Turkeys. (pictured left to right: Melanie Pritchard, Cathy Pritchard, and Sandy Goode)

Everyone got their pictures taken with their medals and there was all around great support from our whole staff! After the awards ceremony, agents placed their tickets into the raffle for a chance to win some technology and fun prizes.  The more points that they agents earned during the competition, the more tickets they received for the Chinese auction! Their hard work paid off because most of our agents left with a great prize. The night ended with a beautiful sunset over the lake.

Thank you to our entire staff for all of your hard work and dedication to making this a great event, and congratulations to all of our winners! We can’t wait for next year’s event!

Now that 4^th of July weekend has come and gone and summer is hitting its half way point, you may be struggling to find things to look forward to.  In reality there is still a lot of summer left and there are so many different things you need experience in the area! ERA Team VP Real Estate & Vacation Rentals has you covered because we are going to tell you what you may be missing out on and how you can make the rest of this summer one to remember!

Have you been down to Bemus Point, NY? Well if you haven’t, this summer is the time to go because it has so much going on every single weekend! If you are a fan of live music and great views of Chautauqua Lake, why not head on down to the floating stage for the Bemus Bay Pops! They have different tribute bands playing every weekend and it is always a great atmosphere! Also if you didn’t know already, Ellicottville Brewing Company has a new location right in Bemus Point and it has been a hot spot this whole entire summer! Whether you want to sit down on the deck area, sip on a brew, and enjoy the views of the lake and beautiful Bemus Point, or have an outstanding meal with friends and family, EBC has it all for you this summer!

While you are in the Bemus area, you might as well make a weekend out of it and stay in one of our gorgeous rental homes anywhere around Chautauqua Lake! Just visit our website, give us a call, or stop by our office and we will help you plan a trip of a lifetime!  While you are in town, you will definitely want to stop at the Southern Tier Brewing Co. Brewery located right here in Lakewood, NY!  Enjoy some delicious beer, great tasting food, live music, and so much more!  And wait, it gets better!  If you do decide to purchase a rental home on Chautauqua Lake this summer, we have a special “My Team VP” MY BREW complimentary pint coupon for the Southern Tier Brewery for you in our check-in packets!  Make sure you get on down here and experience this great brewery!

Did you just think that Ellicottville, NY was fun in the winter for skiing?  Well it is also a great place to visit in the summer!  You can walk around town and go to awesome restaurants and shops that are centrally located right in town.  If you like the outdoors, there is plenty of fun to be had!  Head on down to Holiday Valley for the Sky High Adventure Park.  They have an amazing zip lining and obstacle course fun for all ages.  Do you like thrill rides?  Well they have a mountain coaster that zips down and around the mountain!  They also have amazing bike trails and the Double Black Diamond golf course to fulfill any of your outdoor sporting needs.  The list continues, so head on down to Ellicottville, NY and you won’t be disappointed.

In the mood for more resort style fun? Head down to Findley Lake, NY to Peek n’ Peak Resort!  Why not make a weekend out of it and play both of the beautiful golf courses located right on the resort!  If you really want take your game to the next level, head up to the Upper Course, which hosts the PGA Tour’s Web.com Tour.  Peek n’ Peak also has a Mountain Adventure Aerial Course and Segway tours.  Outside of the resort you can enjoy the beautiful Findley Lake and plenty of great restaurants surrounding this awesome area!

Whether it’s chilling by a lake or being active outdoors, the Chautauqua and Cattaraugus county area has endless options for you this summer! All you need to do is make the trip down to the area, and the fun will take care of itself.  If there is one thing we can tell, your summer fun is just beginning!

ERA Team VP Real Estate & Vacation Rentals is proud to announce our new partnership with Southern Tier Brewing Company! 

Each one of our Chautauqua Lake Vacation Rental Homes will now feature a “My Team VP” MY BREW coupon for a complimentary Pint of your choice for you and a friend at the Southern Tier Brewing Company located at 2072 Stoneman Circle in Lakewood, NY!  This premier brewery has been growing in popularity and national reach, but their brewing facilities, tasting room, and restaurant (The Empty Pint) is a somewhat hidden gem in Chautauqua County that surely won’t disappoint! Whether you have been to the brewery before or this is your first time, how could you possibly turn down a free craft beer and an amazing experience to go along with it!

Southern Tier Brewing Co. is one of the biggest craft brew companies in the United States and it is definitely a not miss experience when visiting the area.  Bring your friends and family and enjoy what this great brewery has to offer!

Featuring tasty cuisine, activities on the lawn, local bands, brewery tours, and of course the famous craft pints, this brewery is a local hotspot you will not want to miss!  Head on down and listen to some live music while you sip on your complimentary brew or enjoy the unique stones course with some friends.  Beer to take home and Southern Tier merchandise is also available for you to purchase right on site. For more information on all things Southern Tier and to see a schedule of their summer events, visit STBCbeer.com or check the out their Facebook page!

“All of us at ERA Team VP Vacation Rentals are excited to be partnering with STBC in this fun promotion. Southern Tier Brewing Company has become a staple in our community and we want to encourage our visitors to experience all that this unique brewery has to offer!” says Rachael Wiley-Steffen, Director of Corporate Marketing and Vacation Rental Management.

If you’ve already made reservations for a lake vacation rental home this summer then make sure to keep an eye out for your “My Team VP” MY BREW coupon in your check-in packet! If you are still looking for a summer getaway visit www.myteamvp.com to view our 200+ available rental properties or call our office in Mayville, NY at 716-413-0201 to speak with a seasoned reservationist about booking your vacation rental!

 

Still no plans yet for the 4^th of July? Well not to worry because there are plenty of things for you to do in Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania!  ERA Team VP Real Estate & Vacation Rentals is here to help you out and give you the game plan for the exciting 2016 4^th of July weekend!

One event that you will not want to miss is the 69^th Annual Warren 4^th of July Celebration in downtown Warren, PA!  This is Warren’s biggest event of the year and it is great fun for everyone.  The event starts on Saturday, July 2^nd at 2 PM and ends on Monday, July 4^th after the annual 4^th of July parade that starts at 11 AM.  Some of the festivities during this memorable celebration include live music, food and craft vendors, a baking contest, fireworks and more.  The list continues and the fun doesn’t stop, so head on down to Warren, PA this 4^th of July weekend and celebrate this 69^th annual celebration the right way!

Celebrate independence day on July 3^rd at 4 PM on Quaker Beach at the Allegany State Park!  The Coldspring Volunteer Fire Department is hosting a chicken BBQ on the beach to satisfy your taste buds.  If you want to rock out to some tunes, make sure you are on the beach at 7 PM for the local band, Goodbye Dawn.  Listen to some music and look out at the beautiful views of Quaker Lake.  After they rock the night away, the night will end with a beautiful fireworks show overlooking Quaker Lake.  Whatever you do, you will not want to miss this show and the amazing views of Allegany State Park on this Independence Day!

Do you want to experience Chautauqua Lake to its fullest potential? Well pack your flares and head on down to Bemus Point, NY on the night of the 4^th of July at 10 PM for the annual light up the lake event!  Flares light up the whole entire lake and shine through the night.  Sit by the water and watch beautiful fireworks form all around the lake with family and friends!

This year’s 4^th of July weekend is set to be better than ever!  No matter what event you choose to do, you will not be disappointed.  Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York have got you covered and will make this summer’s 4^th of July weekend one to remember!

The NorthShore Condos were built by the award-winning architectural firm of Lawson, Knapp and Pulver of Rochester, NY in May of 1983.  These unique vacation homes on the grounds of Chautauqua Institution have been a hit ever since.  They consist of six split level buildings with thirty individual condos.  Each individual condo is approximately 1,500 square feet and has two bedrooms, a sleeping loft, two and a half baths, a kitchen, a dining room, a living room, a fireplace, and HVAC.  Every individual condo also comes fully furnished and ready to meet all of your needs!

One great feature that has attracted a lot of people to the NorthShore condos over the years is the location.  The NorthShore buildings overlook Chautauqua Lake, which makes for beautiful views and entertainment.  They have two heated swimming pools which offers entertainment for the whole family.  There are also bus and tram stops at two NorthShore locations to make the center of Chautauqua Institution easily accessible.  Each condo also comes with a reserved parking space on the NorthShore grounds.

Not only are these premiere condos in a great location, but they are also beautifully designed and well taken care of.  Outside of the condos you will see fresh cut grass and beautiful gardens, complementing the idyllic paint colors with white trim and white porches.  The diligent maintenance work continues to this day and the NorthShore condos are looking better than ever!

The Northshore condos have made a number of new additions for this 2016 summer season.  The entire F building received a brand new cover of paint.  The A unit’s doors were also replaced with new and im proved doors. The lower pool is up and running, with the upper pool receiving a new liner in the coming week. These outstanding condos have been a hot spot in Chautauqua Institution for many years and will be for many years to come.

The NorthShore condos are also featured on the new state of the art ERA Team VP Real Estate & Vacation Rentals website at www.myteamvp.com.  Here you can easily access information about the condos and book your stay with the click of a button.  The 2016 summer season at Chautauqua Institution is ready to begin, so why not book your stay at the one of our beautiful and historic NorthShore condos today.

 

 

The Chautauqua Institution 2016 summer season is right around the corner starting on Saturday, June 25! This summer is going to be very exciting and each week is covering really interesting themes.  There will be a lot to do and a lot of fun to be had, so don’t miss out on what is in store for you this summer in Chautauqua Institution!

Did you know that the historic Amphitheater, Miller Park, and the Athenaeum Hotel have been under construction and changes have been made? Although this can be a bit of a surprise to you, you shouldn’t worry because Chautauqua Institution is up and running and prepared to make this summer season the best it has had in years! Things are looking great and there are plenty of things that you will want to know about Chautauqua Institution this summer in order to fulfill your stay!

 

 

Do you know the list of themes for each week yet? All nine weeks have very unique themes for you to choose from and you will not be disappointed!  Week one’s theme is on Creative Expression by Roger Rosenblatt and Friends.  Week two is Money and Power, week three is Moral Leadership in action, week four is Our Search for Another Earth, week five is People and Environment, week six is The Future of Cities, week seven is Pushing Our Bodies’ Limits, week eight is War and its Warriors: Contemporary Voices, and week nine is America’s Music with Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln Center.  See what week most interests you and make sure to contact ERA Team VP Real Estate & Vacation Rentals for a place to stay today!

Throughout the first week there are some fantastic events that you will want to know about!  Do you enjoy listening to music in the evenings as you walk the grounds? Not to worry because week one is full of different concerts for your enjoyment in order to kick off the season!  From the Chautauqua Choir to The Temptations and The Four Tops, this first week will not disappoint when it comes to music!  With the new and improved additions and changes to the Amphitheater, you will want to get down there and start off the summer right!

Are you a fan of the popular entertainment that Chautauqua Institution brings to the Amphitheater in the summer? Well get excited because there are some really well-known names coming to perform this season!  Some of them include The Avett Brothers, Colvin & Earle, and Straight No Chaser!  Along with these great concerts, there will also be twenty dollar nights at the Amphitheater throughout the summer, so keep your eyes peeled and take advantage of this great deal for awesome entertainment!

Want to know how ERA Team VP Real Estate & Vacation Rentals can help you this summer?  We have a lot of great information for you so you can make the best of your summer!  Did you know that we have an office right on the grounds of Chautauqua Institution?  That’s right!  Our office is conveniently located on 1 Morris, just steps away from Bestor Plaza!  Be sure to pay us a visit and we can help you with any of your rental needs!

Did you know that we have open houses in the Institution every Tuesday?  Well we hope you like wine and crackers because on Monday nights this summer we will be having open house preview nights for you to take a look at the schedule for the following day!  If you are looking for places to rent, you will not want to miss out on these nights full of information and fun!

Make sure you are prepared so that you can take advantage of the great things Chautauqua Institution has to offer for you this summer.  Remember the season is right around the corner!  Contact ERA Team VP Real Estate & Vacation Rentals and book your reservations because your summer vacation in Chautauqua Institution awaits!