The layout is perfect, the view is out of this world, you have always dreamed of having your own bathroom, the north node of Saturn is in transit through Cancer, and…you have an accepted offer. Still, don’t break out the… Read More ›
Buy It
Condo Versus Co-op
The rules for dinner conversation, as stated by many of Brooklyn’s esteemed successfulites are, 1) Never discuss religion; 2) Never discuss politics; and 3) Never discuss condo versus co-op. In light of this very wise counsel, I ask that you not… Read More ›
The Co-op Interview
Congratulations. You’ve had your co-op application scrutinized by a broker, repackaged by the managing agent, reviewed by the board, and have finally been asked in for an interview. You are 75% of the way home. Most boards won’t waste their time… Read More ›
The Top 5 Tips for Completing a Stellar Co-op Package and Landing an Interview.
All co-op apartment buildings require prospective tenants/owners to apply for membership by submitting a co-op package. This usually consists of an application, not unlike a job application (only more intrusive), along with some supporting documentation (e.g. tax returns, bank statements,… Read More ›
Homebuyer Tax Credit
As if tax season weren’t stressful enough, prospective home buyers have two more looming deadlines to contend with. Both are related to the federal government’s homebuyer tax credit.
The Current Market
If everything I’m reading these days sounds something like “housing hasn’t hit bottom..,” or something like “housing prices are plummeting..,”
The Secret
Fig 1-5, An unidentified broker documents his time at a recent open house. Pssssst. Hey you. Yeah you: Mr. Buyer. Want to know a secret? Come over here. A little closer. Closer. Clooooser. Now listen carefully. We are not very… Read More ›
What Happens Now?
Often after someone has either made or accepted an offer, I’m asked, “what happens now?” Below is a chronological list of how things should proceed after an Accepted Offer. Pick an attorney. It’s pretty tough, in New York, to complete… Read More ›
Take Five
The author demonstrates the Take Five method People often solicit my opinion about a given neighborhood. “Is it safe?”,they ask. “How is the area? What are the locals like?”, etcetera, etcetera,… I flat out try to evade these questions and… Read More ›
Lawyer Up
(Let it be known that I type this post, whilst an 11 lb baby boy sleeps in a sling around my neck). In my line of work, there is plenty of ambiguity. I’m often not sure how to get the… Read More ›
