Choosing the right Brooklyn real estate agent is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when selling your home. After all, he or she will be your representative to potential buyers, and the one deciding how best to market your home. Below are eight questions to ask before signing on the dotted line:  1.      How long have you been in the business? While it’s nice to find someone who has many years of professional experience, don’t automatically reject a new agent who might have more time and energy. 2.      What’s the average length of time it takes you to sell a home? A well-qualified Brooklyn real estate agent should be able to answer that question and back it up with statistics. 3.      What is your average ratio of list price to sales price? If he or she consistently se... 06/15/2012

  Selling a home on your own is difficult and time consuming. You have to perform all the extensive financial, marketing and legal tasks usually handled by a real estate agent. Before making your decision, consider the following pros and cons of selling your Brooklyn] home as a For Sale by Owner (FSBO). Here are four advantages to selling your home as a FSBO: 1.      You don’t have to worry about finding a competent real estate agent. 2.      You get to control the real estate transaction from start to finish. 3.      You don't have to pay the required commission, unless the buyer uses a buyer’s agent. 4.      You can price your home at whatever price you believe is best and lower it any time you want. Here are six disadvantages to selling your Brooklyn home as a FSBO. You have to: 1.  ... 06/13/2012

    Mortgage lenders are primarily concerned with your ability to repay your Brooklyn real estate mortgage.They will consider your credit score, debt-to-income ratio and how much you have for a down payment before telling you what you can afford to spend on Brooklyn real estate.  Credit Score  One of the first things your lender will review is your credit score.  Credit scores range from a low of 350 to a high of 850.  In this case, the higher, the better.  The lower your credit score, the higher your interest rate and points will be, and the lower the amount of home you’ll be able to afford. If your score is too low, you may not qualify for a mortgage. If your score is low, you may need to take some time to improve your credit score before buying Brooklyn real estate.  Debt-to-Income R... 06/04/2012

  Thinking of Buying a Home in Brooklyn New York- Want To Know the Walk Score or Bike Score   If you are thinking of buying a home in Brooklyn New York add the Walk Score Tool to your search packet.  The Walk Score Tool  is an  index that assigns a numerical walkability and now bike  scores  to any address.  Walk Score also includes transit score, a commute report, apartment searches based on commute time. Walk Score “ranks communities nationwide  on how many businesses, schools, bars, grocery stores, banks, parks, theaters, schools and other neighborhood amenities  s are within walking distance of any given starting point.  If you are thinking of buying a home in Brooklyn New York and you want to know the Walkability Score or Bike Score of a Brooklyn  New York  neighborhood visit WalkS... 05/24/2012

        The closing is the final step in purchasing your Brooklyn real estate. The closing date is set during the negotiation phase and is usually several weeks after the offer is formally accepted. During the closing, the buyer and seller complete the purchase contract and ownership of the property is transferred to the buyer.    Before the closing can occur, all terms of the purchase contract must be met. As you can imagine, problems can come up which delay the closing.  Here are seven tips to ensure a smooth and problem-free closing on your Brooklyn real estate:    1.      Communicate. Talk with all parties involved in the deal, from your agent to your lender, and discuss what to expect.  Get in touch with each of them to make sure they have everything they need from you for a hassle... 05/24/2012

Real estate has come a long way over the years; its communication and marketing strategies have developed and morphed into the institution it is today. It might be helpful to appreciate real estate’s history in order to better sell your Brooklyn home. So, in honor of Memorial Day this month, we’ve compiled an outline of some of real estate’s major moments.  ·        The National Association of REALTORS – Founded in 1908, this organization still strives today to uphold the ethical integrity of the real estate industry and profession. ·        Condos – In 1960, the first condominiums were built, which opened up an entirely new niche for real estate agents to dive into. ·        The Fair Housing Act– Passed in 1968, this Act outlawed discriminating against buyers based on race, sex, religi... 05/22/2012

        As home buying picks up pace with spring in full bloom, here are a few tips every Brooklyn home buyer should keep in mind:    1.      Plan to stay in the property more than 5 years.  Typically, home values appreciate 7% per year; that number has been 2% to 5% recently, so it will take longer to break even and begin making a profit or building equity in your home.   2.      Do the math.  First, figure out what price range you can afford.  Then, calculate how much income is left after paying the mortgage, taxes and insurance.  Use an online affordability calculator to make this easier.   3.      Explore the neighborhood.  At various times of the day and night, visit the neighborhood of a Brooklyn home you are interested in.  Find out if it’s an area in which you’ll enjoy living.  ... 05/21/2012

Luke Constantino - 5/1/12 You’re buying a house…  You finally cleaned up your credit, saved a little money and are looking for that place you always wanted. You find it; everything is perfect, except for one thing: “The price”. You know in your heart you can get it for a little less, but you don’t want to overprice your first bid always having on your mind I could have gotten it for less. If you underprice it, the seller will not take you seriously… What to do?   Call a buyer’s broker. There are two sides to every sale: A buyer and a seller. As we all know, the seller is always going to try to get the highest price and the buyer, the lowest.  The majority of sellers have a Realtor working for them trying to get the highest price because in reality, The Realtor will make more money. So h... 04/30/2012

04/24/2012

                                                          Brooklyn Block Associations Brooklyn Borough President invites you to The Annual Assembly of The Federations of Brooklyn Block Associations Thursday April 26th 2012 5:30pm-8:30pm Brooklyn Borough Hall 209 Joralemon Street RSVP  718-802-4488    Brooklyn Block Association members and community members, this is a great opportunity to meet with various city agencies, organizations and company representatives to discuss the conserns of your Blocks and communities.  Keynote Speaker Darryl C Towns- commissioner/ceo  NYS Homes and Community Renewal   Presentations by- HPD NYC Green House- NYSERDA, Citizens Committe for NYC and much more   04/21/2012

Feng Shui Flowers in the Brooklyn Botanical Garden by Feng Shui Long Island Welcome to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens located near Prospect Park This is the time of year to visit because all the bushes, trees and flower gardens are displaying amazing colors.  The image above is showing the rose garden and to the left Cherry Blossom trees.   Right now the Rose Garden is not in full bloom but when it is, it's a sight to be seen.  Cherry Blossoms in Brookly ny Feng Shui is all about incorporating the elements (nature) into your everyday lifestyle.  It helps to create balance and for many offers healing energies.  So many Brooklyn residents and out of state visitors where exploring and enjoying the Botanical Gardens yesterday. you can see a local artist sketching the tree If you have not vi... 04/18/2012

Feng Shui NYC Consultant teams up Imaginal Disc ART for a Brooklyn Community Mural Project     dutchtouchpaintingservice   The Imaginal Disc ART Community project is inspired by Claire Gerard, a local Artist out of Brooklyn NY. The Mission of the local project is to "celebrate expression, beauty and friendship within the Brooklyn Community."  This is a great way for everyone to use their creative drive while at the same time inspiring others to simply feel good and enhance the energy of their neighborhood.  Through the support of various local New York Artists, friends, family and volunteers, Claire and her team have finally gotten the Community Mural project underway.   The Imaginal Disc ART project will take place on 707 Franklin ave in Brooklyn NY, 11238 for the North Crown Heights F... 04/01/2012

Feng Shui Brooklyn Consultant teams up Imaginal Disc ART for a Community Mural Project dutchtouchpaintingservice The Imaginal Disc ART Community project is inspired by Claire Gerard, a local Artist out of Brooklyn NY. The Mission of the local project is to "celebrate expression, beauty and friendship within the Brooklyn Community."  This is a great way for everyone to use their creative drive while at the same time inspiring others to simply feel good and enhance the energy of their neighborhood.  Through the support of various local New York Artists, friends, family and volunteers, Claire and her team have finally gotten the Community Mural project underway. The Imaginal Disc ART project will take place on 707 Franklin ave in Brooklyn NY, 11238 for the North Crown Heights Family Outrea... 03/26/2012

It will only take a moment...... Please Help The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Suffolk County NY Feng Shui LI and Manhattan Team In Training asks for your help.....   Feng Shui Long Island, Inc. and Feng Shui Manhattan, Inc. have always been involved with community projects and volunteering when able to. The love for motivating and inspiring others is a core key element to Feng Shui. This past year I have been consulting and personal training with many clients that have been recovering or going through treatments for Leukemia and Lymphoma. To honor them and their family members I have recently teamed up with The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Team In Training for the Grand Canyon Hike for a cure in May of 2012. I have a mission-to help find cures and more effective treatments ... 03/25/2012

Brooklyn Real Estate Weekly Activity 3/24/2012 Residential Brooklyn 1-3 fam home for sale New Listings  87 Sold  listings  16 Pending            31 Avg Sell Price $618,562.50 Median List Price $652,500.00   Vacant land in Brooklyn New York for Sale New Listings   3   Commercial Properties in Brooklyn NY for sale New  Listings    Multi-fam properties in Brooklyn For sale 4fam+/ mixed use properties stores/apartments New Listings 9 Sold Listings 1 pending          7 Avg Sold Price $2,075,000 Median List Price $ 2,225,000   co-op for sale in Brooklyn – Condo for sale in Brooklyn New Listings    64 Sold Listings       8 Pending               26 Avg  sell price $ 226,500 Median List Price $ 209,450 source:bnyml When you are ready to buy or sell Brooklyn Real Estate call : Michele Cadogan 917... 03/24/2012

Affordable Brooklyn New York Feng Shui Consultations by Laura Cerrano Spring time is here, which means clearing out old energy and making room for new life opportunities has come.  Change is constant, so prepare your home, business and self to welcome in the new energy. The Ancient Art of Feng Shui, literally translated to mean “Wind & Water” has been practiced in various forms throughout the World and is estimated to be between 3,000 to 5,000 Years Old.  Feng Shui seeks to achieve a Balance, Harmony,  Peace and Prosperity in your life through simple but effective changes in your Surroundings. Feng Shui Consultants believe that your Surroundings have a deep and profound impact on your life in all aspects and create an  environment that supports your dreams and aspirations by changing th... 03/24/2012

How Much is my Brooklyn co-op  Worth?   How Much IS My Brooklyn  co-op   Worth If you are thinking of selling your Brooklyn co-op  and would like to know How much your Brooklyn co-op is worth in todays Brooklyn Real Estate market Call Michele Cadogan For A Free Market Analysis 917-861-9166 Fillmore Real Estate Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker www.brooklynhomesbymichele.com I can help you with your Brooklyn Real Estate needs 03/22/2012

  East Flatbush Brooklyn Home for sale $440,000 East Flatbush Brooklyn is where you will find this lovely s/d brick one fam 3 bedroom  duplex home for sale- large eat in kitchen with breakfast nook, new bath with jacuzzi, full finished basement, front and rear porches, garage call Michele Cadogan 917-861-9166 Fillmore Real Estate Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker   03/19/2012

Bedford Stuyvesant Brooklyn Community service program     Bedford  Stuyvesant Brooklyn Community Service Program   St George’s Episcopal/Anglican Church 800 March Ave Brooklyn NY 718-789-6036 Our Blessed Mothers’s Soup Kitchen- Lunch served on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month  12:00-2:00pm The Community Breakfast – served on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month  8:30am-10:am St George’s Community Food Pantry- distributes food on Tuesdays, starting at 10:30am-12:30pm St George’s Episcopal Serving our Neighbors in Bedford Stuyvesant Brooklyn 03/18/2012

  Brooklynites- Challenge Your Property Tax Assessment Deadline Monday 19th, 2012 5pm   Brooklyn homeowners if you believe  and have supporting documentation that your  assessment is incorrect  you can request corrective action under four claims categories: excessive assessment, misclassification of property type, unequal assessment or unlawful assessment.  Take advantage of this opportunity to challenge the city’s valuation. This challenge could  result in  saving yourselves much needed money. The March 19th deadline is for  most residential properties of three units or less and condos buildings of three or fewer floors.  The Tax Commission must receive all challenges by 5 p.m. on Monday, March 19.   For more details visit NYC Tax commission 03/18/2012