Category Archives: Tips & Advice

NEWS FLASH: 30 Year Rates Drop Almost 1% OVERNIGHT

I have just received notification from Dan Shlufman that the Fed cash infusion just caused 30 yr fixed rate loans to drop to 5.375%. He suggests that those buying or refinancing act fast since this is unprecedented and may go away quickly.  If … Continue reading

Posted in Market Insight, Tips & Advice | 1 Comment

How To Raffle Your House

PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE BLOG ENTRY: WE DO NOT RAFFLE HOMES…so contacting us to assist you with a house raffle will be a fruitless effort.  Good Luck to all of you! I’ve decided to re-post this blog entry because of the overwhelming amount of traffic that this site is getting … Continue reading

Posted in House Raffles, Tips & Advice | 140 Comments

The Two Faces of Residential Real Estate

I’m two-faced!  That’s right, I said it.  But now let me explain.  In today’s very bizarre world of Manhattan real estate where everyone is trying to make sense of the market’s conditions and direction, I am finding myself sending mixed … Continue reading

Posted in A Broker's Job, Market Insight, Tips & Advice | 7 Comments

Beware of Housing Fraud…Here and Abroad

My colleague’s friend just sent her this email which was a response from an ad she answered online: Hello, My name is Burgin Badams the owner of the 1bedroom apartment and also want you to know that it was due … Continue reading

Posted in Tips & Advice | 5 Comments

Selling Real Estate vs. Pulling Teeth

It’s no secret that buyer psychology has shifted to a more cautious perspective in light of the recent economic developments.  Although I remain busy, I must state that selling real estate in today’s market is often more difficult than pulling teeth.  That said, I’m … Continue reading

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Making Sense of Manhattan Real Estate

The Bailout plan has been rejected (via WSJ) and it’s no surprise that the stock market has plummeted on the news.  So why am I still so busy?  I can’t answer that except by updating my current transaction activity (by current, I mean … Continue reading

Posted in A Broker's Job, Market Insight, Tips & Advice | 2 Comments

Sellers have 4 Options in Declining Market

If you’re selling your home in a declining market, you have 4 options to consider if your home is not selling: Aggressive Pricing:  Pricing the property aggressively below competition will drive home the perception of value to prospective purchasers. Rent:  … Continue reading

Posted in A Broker's Job, Market Insight, Tips & Advice | 7 Comments

Wall Street Debacle Will Have Ramifications for Manhattan Housing

158 year old Lehman Brothers has declared bankruptcy.  Merrill Lynch has been scooped up in the nick of time by Bank of America.  AIG is also talking bankruptcy.  And who can forget Bear Sterns?  All of the fallout from Greenspan’s "easy money" mortgage … Continue reading

Posted in A Broker's Job, Market Insight, Tips & Advice | 6 Comments

9-11-2001

Remember…

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Less Emotion in Real Estate Market as Buyers Seek Value

When I entered the Manhattan real estate market 16 years ago this week, I was greatly attracted to the personal and emotional elements of the residential real estate transaction.  And over the past 16 years, I have seen the market … Continue reading

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