New York Real Estate Blog: August 2008

Some of the most common questions home owners have are:

• When should I sell? 
• How do I get the best price?
• What kinds of renovations should be made prior to the sale?

 
These home selling reports will assist you in answering the many questions that arise during the home selling process. 

When you're armed with the right information, and an experienced real estate professional, you'll be closer to reaching your goal - selling your home fast, and for the best price.

Click Here for your Complimentary Reports.

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To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/

To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/

Automatically receive daily MLS listings by e-mail. Early each morning I will search the local MLS and find the homes that match your criteria and notify you immediately with the latest listing information!! Simply click on this link and fill in the requested information.

It's SIMPLE, AUTOMATED, AND DEPENDABLE!

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SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com

Did your friend or neighbor recently sell their Queens, NY home/property? Are you wondering about how much it sold for?

I can help! Email me direct at ProRealtor@verizon.net the basic information and I will find out for you!

All I need is the address and zip code and I will email you the complete listing including how many days it was on the market and how much it ultimately sold for!

 
To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com

 
To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com

A critical step in the mortgage loan application process is to verify the sources for your down payment, closing costs and assets, as well as documenting income and debts, oh yeah... and let's not forget your credit score!!! The lender uses these factors to determine your qualifications as a borrower. 

Here's a good chart that explains the impact of your score: 

• 720 - 850 - Excellent - The best financing terms and represents the best score range.
• 700 - 719 - Very Good - qualifies to receive favorable financing.
• 675 - 699 - Average - will qualify for most loans.
• 620 - 674 - Sub-prime - May qualify but will pay higher interest.
• 560 - 619 - Risky - Might have trouble getting a loan.
• 500 - 559 - Very Risky - You need to work on improving your rating.

We'll be happy to assist you in obtaining a FREE copy of your own credit report and help you determine how strong you are in terms of borrowing power,

Email me at ProRealtor@verizon.net to discuss this further.

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

UNDER CONTRACT

Amazing Opportunity!! Set Up As A 2 Family For The Price Of A 1 Fam. Needs A Little Tlc. Located Near Houses Of Worship And Only Minutes From The Local Shopping Area. This Property Is Truly Convenient Yet Private.

Bsmt/Subfl- Full Unfinished Basement

1^st Floor- Lr/Dining Area,Fbth,Eik,1Br (Plus Enclosed Porch Used As Br)

2^nd Floor- Lr,Fbth,Eik,2Brs

Lot Size- 25 X 100

Lot Square Footage- 2,500

Building Size- 22 X 30

Taxes- $1,958

School District- 27

UNDER CONTRACT

Listing Price: $399,000

Contract Price: $385,000

Contract Date: August 26th, 2008

Proposed Title Date: October 1st, 2008

UNDER CONTRACT

To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

The correct selling price of a home is the highest price that the market will bear. To assist you in determining the correct asking price we provide you with a Highest Price Analysis of comparable properties sold and offered for sale in your neighborhood.

To provide a more detailed Highest Price Analysis, we would be more than happy to also assess your listing in person.

Call me today at 718-705-0751 for a Highest Price Analysis of your home!

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To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/

Welcome to NewYorkAreaHomeSouce.com, your source for Queens, Brooklyn, and Long Island real estate. In today's competitive real estate market, timing is everything. 

Whether you are buying or selling a home, hiring someone like me who wants to earn your business is the first step to a smooth, sucessful real estate experience. I invite you to contact me as I'd be happy to assist you with this important transaction.

Many good homes are sold before they are ever advertised. Beat other homebuyers to the hottest new homes for sale in the Queens, Brooklyn, and Long Island areas with my New Listings Notification.

If you own real estate that you're thinking of selling, I would be happy to provide you with a FREE Highest Price Analysis!
 
In addition, if you have any general questions about buying or selling real estate in NYC, please contact me via e-mail @ ProRealtor@verizon.net as I'm more than willing to help.

Please browse my website for listings, reports and important local real estate information.

To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

Did your friend or neighbor recently sell their Brooklyn, NY home/property?

Are you wondering about how much it sold for?

I can help! Email me direct at ProRealtor@verizon.net  the basic information and I will find out for you!

All I need is the address and zip code and I will email you the complete listing including how many days it was on the market and how much it ultimately sold for!

To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

Energizer has developed a way to ensure our cell phones will never go dead again.

The Energi To Go supplies immediate power anywhere at anytime. The device plugs into all major phone brands and runs on two long-lasting Energizer AA Lithium batteries. The Energi To Go ($20) provides up to nine additional hours of talk time once your own phone battery has lost power - so you'll never feel anxious or stranded again.

Go to their website and check it out!!

To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

Reduce your monthly utility bills while improving the comfort within your home. Repaint less often - all with a simple coat of paint!

HY-TECH Insulating Ceramics make it possible! Now you can make any paint an insulating, heat reflecting barrier and increase the paint's durability.

HY-TECH Thermal Solutions, Inc is the ONLY insulating paint additive to be selected by NASA as a "NASA Technology Spinoff Company". Check it out for yourself! Got to http://www.hytechsales.com

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To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/

It is not uncommon to receive a counter offer when the initial purchase offer has been submitted.

Don't let this discourage you (and don't be insulted). We will discuss the counter offer and decide whether or not to accept the counter offer or reject the counter offer and move on.

Market conditions will play a role in how aggressively we negotiate the sale. We will also work within your buyers limits. Emotions can lead to buyer's remorse. It is better to set limits prior to negotiating an offer and stick to these limits.

NewYorkMarketValue can help you right from the beginning!!

To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/

To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/

The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 was just signed by President Bush with some amazing benefits for first time homebuyers. 

Call everyone you know who wants to buy their first home (or who hasnt owned one in three years), this is too good to miss - its a $7,500 tax CREDIT (not deduction but a credit). If you have not owned a home in three years, you are a first time home buyer. 

If you buy a home after April 9, 2008 and before July 1, 2009, you qualify for a credit.  Call your friends who just bought a home since April 9th and tell them they may take $7,500 off their tax bill if they qualify.  It has to be your principal residence, so rentals do not count. The tax credit is 10% of the cost of the home, up to a maximum of $7,500.  So, if the home costs $100,000, you would get a credit of $7,500.  This is not an additional deduction that lowers the amount of income to be taxed, it is a tax credit.  In other words, you take $7,500 off your tax bill.  What if your tax bill is only $5,000?  The IRS will send you the additional $2,500 as a refund. 

When was the last time the IRS sent you a refund because you bought something?

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SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com

You're first question here might be - Vincent, What is a Home Warranty?
A home warranty is a service contract that covers the repair or replacement of many of the most frequently occurring breakdowns of home system components and appliances.

You're next obvious question would be - Vincent, Is Everything in My Home Covered?
No. Not everything is covered! However, most of the system components and appliances that breakdown frequently are covered. Click on the video below to learn more about Home Warranties.

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

I'm confident you'll find your dream house at www.AllNYlistings.com .

When we do, I'll put together the purchase offer tailored for your needs including appropriate contingencies (such as obtaining financing, favorable home inspection, clear title, etc.).

The offer is normally presented with "earnest money". This is a cash deposit made to a home seller to secure an offer to buy the property. The amount is applied to closing costs. If the seller accepts the offer, generally closing is held 30 to 60 days from the offer date (generally dependent on the turn around time of your mortgage financing).

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

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SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

My knowledge of the local market is an essential factor in the house search.

I'll let you know when the market in a particular neighborhood is "hot" and requires immediate action or when the market is "cool" and allows for thoughtful consideration. As we tour houses, I'll let you know when the asking price has negotiating room and when the house is "priced to sell".

My unique market knowledge will keep you a step ahead of the "house hunting competition".
In a "seller's market". It is not unusual to see multiple offers on a property, full-price offers and even above-price offers. On the flip side, during a "buyer's market" there are more houses for sale than buyers. This gives us more negotiating room as houses are taking longer to sell.

 
SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com 

 
SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com

It seems obvious, but it's good to note that the first step to buying a house is making the decision to buy.

Consider the reasons you want a new house and write them down. Determine how long you want to live in the new house - does buying still make good financial sense? Can you afford a house that will meet your list of requirements? A good rule of thumb is your mortgage payment should not exceed 1/3 of your net monthly income.

I'd like to schedule a time to meet with you to hear the reasons you want to buy a house and your plans for the future. We'll talk about neighborhoods, schools, economic factors liable to affect the market today and tomorrow, as well as how you would like your house and neighborhood to grow with you.

At this time, I will also help you get pre-qualified for a mortgage loan. Pre-qualification is a written statement from a loan officer indicating his or her opinion that you will be approved for a mortgage loan up to a certain amount. The fact that you are pre-qualified will help us when we are negotiating the deal.

To schedule a time for our initial meeting email me at ProRealtor@verizon.net

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

You're credit is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!!! It will be a deciding factor in the purchase of your new home.

All the years you've been paying your car payments, and credit card bills can be analyzed, sliced, diced, spindled and mutilated into a single indicator of whether you're likely to meet your future obligations. There is a range of data available in your credit report, the primary factors are:

• Credit History - How long have you had credit?
• Payment History - Do you pay your bills on time?
• Credit Card Balances - How much do you owe on how many accounts?
• Credit Inquiries - How many times have you had your credit checked?

The credit scores range from 300 to 850. Typical home buyers likely find their scores falling between 600 and 850. Higher scores indicate you are a better credit risk, and may qualify for a better mortgage rate.
Armed with this information, you will be a more informed consumer and better positioned to obtain the most favorable mortgage available to you.

To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

To complete the sale of the home an unbiased, third party (you guessed it - the escrow agent) is employed to make certain the contract will close properly and on time. The escrow holder insures that all terms and conditions of the seller's and buyer's agreement are met previous to the sale being finalized, as well as receiving funds and documents, completing mandatory forms, and acquiring the release documents for any loans or liens that have been paid off with the transaction, guaranteeing you clear title to your property before the purchase price is fully paid.

The Escrow Agent Will:

• Prepare escrow instructions
• Request title search
• Comply with lender's requirements as specified in the escrow agreement
• Receive funds from the buyer
• Prorate insurance, tax, interest and other payments according to instructions
• Record deeds and other documents as instructed
• Request title insurance policy
• Close escrow when all instructions of seller and buyer have been met
• Disburse funds and finalize instructions

The Escrow Agent Won't:

• Give advice - the escrow holder must maintain neutral, third-party status
• Offer opinions about tax implications

I hope this information is useful to you.

As your real estate agent, I'll inform you more about the process.

To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

Duke students designed this Smart Home to be adjustable, ground-breaking, environmentally sustainable and scientifically integrated. The construct should attain at least Gold LEED official recognition from the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program.

A few of the home's features consist of:

• A green roof containing live plants that will protect the home from the cold of winter and the heat of summer. The roof's soil also pre-filters water removing impurities picked up from the surroundings.
• Two solar power systems, together with a solar thermal unit on the roof that helps heat water for showers and dishwashing, and photovoltaic panels in the front of the house which convert sunlight into electricity that powers lights in the dorm.
• Two rainwater gathering structures to water the property and provide water for toilets and the clothes washing machine.
• Lumber that was gathered from sustainable forests, and trim that includes Southern yellow pine from the Duke Forest.
• DensArmor Plus® drywall, a new generation of paperless drywall designed with a humidity-resistant substance to resist mold.
• Fiber optic wiring all over the home that supplies the dorm with the capacity for spectacular internet speeds up to 40 Gigabytes per second.

To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

Before you consider selling your house yourself, ask yourself if you are going to have the time needed to sell your house - even if you just cover the basics.

The Basics

Complete an extensive research of local market conditions, including:

• the listing and selling price of all houses in your area for the last six months (Click Here for your complimentary Highest Price Analysis)
• the listing price of houses currently on the market, and
• the listing prices of houses that were on the market but did not sell.
• A Highest Price Analysis will provide you ALL this information!! FREE!!
  

Tips: Begin your research on the Internet. Follow-up by visiting the county tax records office to determine the selling prices of houses.

Put together a marketing plan.

• How will you market your house to real estate agents? Most buyers use a real estate agent, so marketing to real estate agents is essential. At a minimum, you'll want to send a letter and sales flyer to all real estate agents within a 30 mile radius.
• How much money can you afford to devote to advertising? Call the local newspapers to determine how much it will cost for advertisements. You'll want to run daily and Sunday ads in the newspapers.
• Who will create your sales flyers? Buyers expect fact sheets to take with them when they drive-by or tour a house for sale.
• Where will you place signage? In addition to your front yard, is there areas leading in to your neighborhood where signage would be appropriate?
• How will potential buyers find information about your house on the Internet? You'll want potential buyers who begin their house shopping on the Internet to find your house. Be sure to build a website to help sell your house.
• Who will take inquiry calls and schedule appointments? You'll want someone to be available to answer inquiry calls and schedule appointments. Be sure to schedule showings as quickly as possible - even the same day.

Tips: Ask newspapers for a discounted advertising rate for multiple placements. Be sure to check with local officials to determine if there are any restrictions on where you place signs.
" Pre-qualify buyers before showing your house.

Confirm that the potential buyer has pre-qualified for a mortgage loan.

• If the buyer is buying with cash, confirm that they have the necessary resources.
• If the purchase is contingent on the buyer selling their own house, confirm that the buyer's house is on the market. (You may also want to determine how long the buyer's house has been on the market.)

Negotiations, Contracts and Closings

• Are you prepared to negotiate the contract?
• Do you know what the legal responsibilities of the seller are in your area?

Who will write the contract? Will you need to hire an attorney? If so, what will be the attorney's fees?

Tips: In addition to the sales contract, you'll need to complete a Seller's Disclosure and a Lead Based Paint Disclosure.

To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/