Preparing a house for really works, I had the chance to redo a moribund house on Marlborough road. With a modest budget and a lot of creativity, we redid the kitchen ( plumbing and cabinets ), painted the interior, did some simple landscaping, and made some minor repairs this cost less than $ 40,000 and we soon sold the house for over $ 120,000 more.  for mor information see www.ditmasestate.com 11/23/2008

 A Vision of Cortelyou Alerted to a Friends and Family night at Visions, 752 Coney Island Avenue on Friday night and were pleasantly surprised. I remember 752 a dark and dirty bar you tried not to remember, because you went into it inorder to forget. But today's Visions is a bright and sometimes loud café that's is full of laughter and good times. The décor while unimpressive is nevertheless pleasant and even inviting. The owner, Marack, is attentive and eager to please. And the service although not professional was very good. For example, someone dropped a fork and without being told our waiter was there promptly with fork in hand. We started with a Romaine salad, fresh, large and nicely topped with grated Parmesan cheese. For an appetizer we had the Mozzarella in Corozza, a grilled wh... 11/23/2008

I'm going to start with a quote from Cynthia Dedier's Zurvita website because I really like the way these people think: "Winning at every level is more than a saying or slogan. Everyone at Zurvita, including owners, executives, and the type of Marketing Representatives that we attract, has an overriding purpose that is about much more than making money. It’s about helping each other win…professionally, financially, and spiritually. We are one big team of people who want to see you win." The moment I read that quote it made me immediately think of ActiveRain.com and Club Chaos. Helping each other win... very cool, indeed... I keep thinking that if I expand my business model to include this venture I could actually have a lot of fun with it because I could combine the industry parallels i... 11/14/2008

It Seems like everyone is considering to modify there loan these days. Especially that Sheila Bair who is the Chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) said, "We will very aggressively pursue loan-modification strategies for unaffordable loans to make them affordable on a long-term, sustainable basis." therefore I feel the need to clarify the option that an individual has and the ramifications it might have. First of all it is not ethical to modify unless you are really in need and cannot survive otherwise. Just because you can and the bank will agree is thievery. Its not the lenders fault that you made a bad investment, Man up and take responsibility. To cut to the chase, If it is a Primary residence, and the balance of the loan is less then a 2 Million dollars befor... 11/09/2008

In the You Magazine issue of November which I distribute to my database monthly there is a link to a powerful simple truth video. I was moved to tears with the positive message reinforcements while looking at beautiful scenic picture and listening to beautiful music just a few words flash onto the screen . The power of that is amazing. its a real science of mind programing that most people don't know about. A story can be told with great detail but it will not move you deep inside. However reading the same story, on a PowerPoint slide-show with scenic pictures of the sun and nature with a combination of music can be really power-full and it can move your behaviour in the direction of the content. Transformational Idea, Look at such a power-full slide show everyday for 10 minutes before ... 11/07/2008

Many people ask why if the fed cuts interest rates why did mortgage rates go up??? Another one, Why if the EU cut its interest rate why did the US dollar get stronger against the Euro and the Canadian and Against the yen etc. Another question, why did the global stock markets gain yesterday when Australia cut its interest rate with 3/4, more then expected? Here it is. I hate to break it to you but the truth is that the Fed's mission is not to provide low mortgage rates. Copied from the Federal Reserve site itself and here it is, "Today, the Federal Reserve's duties fall into four general areas: conducting the nation's monetary policy by influencing the monetary and credit conditions in the economy in pursuit of maximum employment, stable prices, and moderate long-term interest rates sup... 11/05/2008

Consumer Aleret on the Federal Reserve Website Release Date: November 4, 2008 For immediate release    BEAWARE: FEDERAL RESERVE WILL NEVER SOLICIT YOU! The Federal Reserve Board on Tuesday alerted the public to instances of questionable solicitations directed at consumers. These solicitations promise consumers access to personal loans through a nonexistent Federal Reserve lending program. Under this fraudulent scheme, targeted individuals are told that that they can work through a broker to access a Federal Reserve program that extends sizable secured loans to consumers. Consumers are encouraged to deposit large sums of money into a bank account, under the guise of a security deposit, in order to receive the purported loan. The Federal Reserve is advising consumers that it has no involv... 11/05/2008

Well you sure heard about inflation right? that's when prices rise and the dollar looses its buying power due to fast growing demand. Deflation is the exact opposite of that. that's when demand falls so short that prices will have to come down to move products off the shelf. So whats the problem you might ask? Well 2 fold:  First of all for existing loans. existing loans which will be paid back in an deflationary environment will be paid back with more expensive dollars then the dollar borrowed, real bad for consumers. It will further push economy in a stand still almost stone age like, because nobody wants anything so why would anybody pay you for anything? A Little bit trivial but not as much as you would like.  with talks of economic recession on the horizon and company's cutting bac... 11/03/2008

Hindsight is always 20/02 But the problem is you can only see what you understand. in example looking at struggling businessman coming out shining through a rough market, the person who does not understand business principles does not how he pulled it through. Versus a business knowledgeable person does know and can identify the principles that this struggling business person cling-ed to that help him through the rough market. I just heard today about a 59 year old executive in the jewelery manufacturing business expressing fear that he will loose his job. He never bought a house because he was always afraid that if he might looses his job, where is he going to pay the mortgage from. He never invested in real estate due to lack of knowledge of the real estate business. He never invested... 10/29/2008

Although we are going through unprecedented times the basics financial principles have not changed. •1.    You actually have to qualify for a mortgage. •2.    You have to save up some money for a down payment. Lenders want you have a reason to work through hardships and not get dumped along with the house. •3.    The mortgage has to be properly planned because it does have the ability of robbing your life's savings. •4.   The mortgage has the ability to provide you with a comfortable retirement. Speak to your Certified mortgage Planner about that. •5.   Invest invest and keep investing. A down market will only increase your chances of hitting it big. it is called dollar cost averaging here is the technique from about.com "Instead of investing assets in a lump sum, the investor works his... 10/28/2008

  Decatur Street, Brooklyn, New York I have this new construction listing that is priced to sell. It's a gorgeous home, a six bedroom double duplex over double duplex townhouse close to public transportation and surrounded by Brooklyn Brownstones. It has off street parking and has a lovely, over grown backyard. The only problem is, every time I go to check on my firms inventory I find myself having to chase someone off of the property because they want to see the inside or think it is a cool place to hang out (e.g. the steps). Why do people think it is okay to trespass on private property? Checking to see if someone is on location so one may receive more information is one thing. Having a party in someone else's yard because a construction company owns the property and a person observes... 10/13/2008

If you're thinking of selling your house or investment property, the first thing you should inquire is "How much is my home valued at?" Being well-informed on market trends in your neighborhood gives you the greatest chances of selling your home without delay and for the best price possible. Click Highest Price Analysis to request a free over the net evaluation of your home. We hope to support you in selling your home because we strive to surpass your expectations and goals toward Brooklyn property needs.      To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/ 10/12/2008

The lovely A. Jin in the main conference room at REMAX People Realty A. Jin contacted me the day she and her lovely family planned to drive to New York City from Canada. After relocating to New York State and settling in Brooklyn on Friday, she made arrangements to meet with me the next day. I picked her up Saturday and we, accompanied by one of her cousins, spent that afternoon and most of the evening together having mad fun chatting about our families and getting to know each other. She discovered the Active Rain Real Estate Network from using search engines. Googling her targeted area lead to my blog. She looked at other New York agents before deciding to select me as her Realtor. BTW, I am ranked number 19 on the New York Sate home page and number 3 for Queens County. TannStarr.com... 10/05/2008

                   LUKE CONSTANTINO | REMAX TOP PROPERTIES | 718-362-0098   HOUSE  FOR SALE 312 Bay 13th Street, Brooklyn, NY   2 Bdrm Single Family House with a Separate Garage   $499,000 Year Built 1945 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 1 full, 1 partial Floors 2 Parking Unspecified Lot Size 1,653 sqft This beautiful cozy house with a finished basement also has a community drive, separate garage with a deck on top and is a block away from the Belt Parkway.This house is also one block away from the Shore Promenade, which is great for walking, jogging, bike riding and has a magnificent view of the Verrazano Bridge There are also 2 Express buses to Manhattan stop on Cropsey Avenue. Some of Brooklyn's best schools, restaurants, shopping and houses of worship are within walking distance... Just ask Lu... 10/03/2008

Mr. and Mrs. Smith (Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt) met by chance five or six years ago. They immediately married and have since become quite bored to death with married life. The infamous pair play a couple whose marriage has lost its flicker, little do they know that they're both assassins with rival agencies bent on each other's annihilation. Mr. and Mrs. Smith uncover a new well of stimulation in their marriage, when they're hired to snuff out each other...and that's when the real fun starts. Everybody gets unmasked once they are both assigned to take out the same mark. Once they find out that the past six years of their lives have been obscured in deception and betrayal, watch out. Passion erupts all over everything as bullets take to the air, people get smacked with cars and the sex ... 09/27/2008

1.- Being Patient2.- Return all Phone Calls3.- Honesty4.- Loyalty5.- PuntualityPlease feel free to add more tips to my list. 09/21/2008

BE PREPARED!  - What Every Renter Should Know To Step In Front of the Line Luke Constantino| September 9, 2008 I deal with a lot of buying and selling of property in NYC, but along with that, I also deal with rentals. Renting an apartment can be a pretty big job.  Going to different sites on the internet, newspapers and just finding that decent location that coincides with your lifestyle can be very stressing.  For me, rentals often bring on new home buyers later on.  Here are some of my sure-fire tips on how to get in front of the line and be the best candidate for a rental in NYC: 5 TIPS ON WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO BE THE BEST CANDIDATE:       •  Have a credit report ready from all three credit bureaus in hand.  This is the most important thing you will need. You don't need perfect credi... 09/09/2008

As a stager who has provided more than a dozen model apartments in the past year to realtors and developers across NYC who are trying to unload their condos, I have some advice:  price your condos competitively!  A staged apartment is one thing (and they are almost all staged in this competitive market), but reducing your price is where it's at if you are eager to move your units.  I have seen condos snapped up like Jimmy Choos on sale, and also seem some of my most glorious projects sit and sit and sit.  Realtors: encourage your developers to price them realistically - and developers: listen to your realtors!  You'll be better off in the long run - holding on to an empty condo development for months that quickly turn into a year plus isn't very cost-friendly.  Best of luck and sell, se... 09/05/2008

One of the things I love about Activerain is that I am constantly amazed by the sheer number of people who are reading this site.  When I wrote about the Village of Farmingdaleand the issues I am having, I received several emails from others who have had the same experience.  When my recent post about Plagarism was posted, I received so MANY personal emails of other Feng Shui Consultants who have had the same issue with the SAME person. This, then, is a personal request.  I have written several times about visiting the Air Force Memorial held in Farmingdale Long Island at Republic Airport as a way to honor my dad, Lt. Colonel Peter F. Provenzale.  And I have shown several planes from the wonderful shows put on right here in Farmingdale Long Island New York.  I even wrote about a wonderf... 08/30/2008

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