The Mayor of New York, Bill de Blasio was apparently dreaming of Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” when he neglected to file for permits before putting up a new fence at Gracie Mansion. If you recall, Tom Sawyer famously persuades the local children to do his chore of painting the all-American white picket fence while getting paid for the privilege to do so. As noted in a Continue Reading
Home renovations are time consuming and costly, so establishing—and sticking to—a strategy to stay on budget is critical. And too often, in an effort to stay on budget, property owners cut corners that will ultimately come back to haunt them when they seek to sell their homes. Side-stepping the permits, licenses and approvals needed for any improvement is all too common, but doing so can have a Continue Reading
Perhaps you’ve seen a caravan of flatbed trucks, one after another—complete with its own police escort—transporting large boxes encased in a protective seal travelling on the highway or local road. Most likely, these boxes aren’t floats for a local parade or a shipment of government drones. Rather, they’re home modules on their way to a home site for a new commercial or residential Continue Reading
While it’s true that homes and properties are the heart of the real estate market, marketing plays a significant role in facilitating the best price in the shortest timeframe. I actually can’t stress enough how important marketing is. Simply put, it’s not enough to have a great property. As I think about the importance that marketing plays, one specific listing comes to mind. On the day of an open Continue Reading
Purchasing a new home can be an expensive venture—and it involves quite a bit more than just the price of a property. In order to close on a property, buyers always face a bevy of settlement costs, which include everything from loan origination fees to appraisal charges to credit report costs. According to the Federal Reserve as a general rule of thumb, buyers spend 3% of their purchase price Continue Reading
We’re all guilty of putting off discussions about wills and estate planning. In the grand scope of our lives, too many other things seem more important right now, and most of us tend to believe we have all the time in the world to consider circumstances that seem so far off in the future. But when we don’t take the time to prepare ahead of time—when we can really focus—we run the risk of making Continue Reading
Ever wonder if your bid is going to be enough to win the house of your dreams? If so, there’s a little secret about the bidding process that all homebuyers should—but don’t always—know; it’s not all about the money. When the real estate market is strong and houses are in short supply, the seller of a desirable property usually has an array of offers to consider. Interestingly, however, Continue Reading
Television programs about how to negotiate a real estate deal and how to renovate a residential property are on almost every channel these days. And what’s more, everyone proclaims to be a real estate expert: family, friends, and even your trusted doctor are quick to dispense advice. So as potential home buyers and sellers try to make the most of their money and save wherever they can, does a real Continue Reading
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New York NY, 10013
