Many home buyers walk into prospective Brooklyn homes with an "as is" attitude. They fail to consider that the home sellers may be willing to make repairs or updates in order to get the home sold.

This isn't hard to understand. Most people do not buy Brooklyn homes frequently so they aren’t familiar with exactly what they can and cannot ask for. A home isn’t like a car that you might purchase new every few years, or clothes that you shop for all the time and know how to investigate, compare, and price appropriately.

This lack of knowledge is possibly the best reason for seeking the help of a qualified professional REALTOR®. They handle home purchases daily and can help you with what to watch out for, what price to pay and what you can and can't haggle over. They’ll even handle the negotiations for you.

Let’s get back to repairs, updates or price reductions you may want to have your agent negotiate for you:

Electrical Wiring: Especially in older Brooklyn homes the wiring is likely to be old, outdated or even hazardous. Make sure you have the wiring thoroughly inspected. This is not a cheap fix. If there are problems, they should be solved before you purchase, or you should be offered a greatly reduced price to reflect the cost to you of replacement. This is a very important item and even if you accept a price reduction do not be tempted to simply enjoy the extra cost benefits without using it to make the needed repairs. Bad wiring is a fire hazard that can destroy your purchase, not to mention be fatal if not fixed.

Breaker Boxes: Older homes may still have fuse boxes. These are very outdated and some may even use types of fuses that are hard to find. While updating an old fuse box to a breaker switch box isn't extremely expensive, it should be done by a qualified electrician. This is something that should be done before you buy. It isn't worth asking for a price reduction, but it also isn't something you should have to deal with when you move into your new home.

These are just a couple of negotiable items to think about when you look at a prospective purchase.

If you would like more information on things to consider when viewing a home, I can help. Contact me today at (718) 718 253-9600 ext.206 or email me at charles@brooklynrealestatesales.com

Charles D'Alessandro

charlesdalessandro@fillmore.com
tel 718 253-9600
fax 718 253-9573

Brooklyn Real Estate Blog Dos and Don’ts of Buying a Brooklyn Home in Foreclosure

If you're anything like me, you've driven through neighborhoods, admiring the Brooklyn homes and immaculate lawns. You've pictured your dry, brown yard, wondering how these homeowners managed to get their lawns looking so great.

Here are a few tips and tricks that can help achieve that plush, green grass that everyone hopes for:

1. Choose a type of grass seed that's right for your climate zone.

There are three climate zones: Warm, transitional and cool. Warm season grass is better for lawns in the South, cool season for the North, and transitional for Central. The best bet for the transitional zone is either a mixture of warm and cool season grass or using the same seeds as the warm zone.

2. Plant at the right time.

Throw grass seed on the ground at the right time, and it’ll grow.

• Warm zone grasses - sown in the spring, once the soil is warm enough for sprouts to grow.

• Cool zone grasses – sown in the fall, generally between August 1 – 15 for the far North, and August 15 – 30 for the warmer areas.

3. Cut at the right height.

No matter what zone the Brooklyn homes with gorgeous green lawns are in, you may notice that the lawns all seem to be about the same height. There’s a reason for that. Lawn care experts say you should never cut your grass shorter than two inches.

4. Use the right mower.

You want to use mulching lawnmowers, replacing the blades every season to keep them sharp for cleaner cuts. These lawnmowers turn the clippings into perfect grass-feed, which takes care of about half of the feed for the season.

5. Have a good watering schedule.

The best time to water a lawn is first thing in the morning. You want to water all at once instead of in short spurts, soaking your lawn with about one inch each time you water. Cool zone lawns should be watered whenever it's been dry for a week. Lawns for warm zone Brooklyn homes should be watered twice a week during the summer.

Want to buy a home with a lush lawn? I can help. Give me a call today at (718)253-9600 ext.206 or email me at charles@brooklynrealestatesales.com

Charles D'Alessandro

charlesdalessandro@fillmore.com
tel 718 253-9600
fax 718 253-9573

Brooklyn Real Estate Blog Short Sales: A Viable Option for Distressed Brooklyn Real Est

When you begin your search for the perfect house it usually starts with a search for the perfect Brooklyn real estate agent. A good agent can help you with every aspect of buying a home.

They know the proper price ranges, what properties are available that match your needs and all of those pesky legal details required for closing. Your Brooklyn real estate agent will keep things moving and make sure deadlines are met and everything goes smoothly.

Here are four tips to help you choose a real estate agent:

Meet Them Face to Face

Perfect harmony should be as instantaneous as love at first sight. You simply know you hit it off with someone, or you don’t. Don’t fight the feelings if you have doubts. Even the best Brooklyn real estate agent isn’t going to have a connection with everybody. There will be one that is perfect for you. Keep looking.

Ask Questions

When you do find a real estate agent you have a connection with, ask questions. There needs to be more than just a friendship between you. Make sure the agent has a real grasp of the area, the types of houses that are available, and seems in tune to what you are looking for.

Assess

Do they listen to your needs? If they’re not listening to what you want, move on. Did they answer your questions thoroughly? If they were unable to answer your questions or purposely avoided answering any of your questions, this is not the right agent for you.

Answer Their Questions

Your Brooklyn real estate agent will have plenty of questions for you too. They want to be sure you can afford a new home. Don’t be offended by what may seem like personal questions. They need this information in order to give you the best advice.

If you’re searching for your perfect real estate agent, I’d be honored if you’d interview me for the job. Call Charles D’Alessandro of Fillmore Real Estate today at (718)253-9600 ext 206 or email me at charlesdalessandro@fillmore.com to schedule a face-to-face meeting.

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Charles D’Alessandro

charlesdalessandro@fillmore.com
tel 718 253-9600
fax 718 253-9573

The debate is as old as the real estate industry. Does a low, highly competitive selling price for Brooklyn real estate actually generate a faster, more profitable sale than a slightly inflated price with a willingness to negotiate? Yes, it is an age-old debate. Yes, it has never been more important that sellers make informed decisions about their asking price and negotiating strategy.

A seller with an unreasonable opinion of their home’s value is either a wishful thinker or does not have the benefit of an accurate comparative market analysis and a real estate agent who specializes in the area.

Get Real, Know the Facts

When sellers decide to list their home in the Brooklyn real estate market, they usually have an opinion of value based on reported sales of similar properties. Consciously or subconsciously, most homeowners follow the real estate activity of surrounding homes.

However, every real estate transaction stands independently. In today’s market, buyers and sellers negotiate to capitalize on tax incentives, green-initiative improvements, closing fees, homeowner credits and local incentives. Thus, the “neighborhood selling price” may not represent the price you can actually get for your home.

Real estate agents use differing strategies to secure listings and set sales prices. Therefore, a seller who requests proposals from three different Brooklyn real estate agents may well get three different opinions of value:

1. One agent may want the listing at any price and be willing to accept an owner’s requirement for a high asking price just to land the listing.
2. Another agent may be conservative and encourage a low asking price in the hopes of generating superior demand. This strategy was effective in the boom years of 2006 and 2007.
3. A third agent may combine his knowledge about the property, the neighborhood and today’s real estate market to come up with the optimal listing price.

The Optimal Listing Price

Responsible Brooklyn real estate agents view the property from three postures.

1. First we inspect the property, top to bottom. We understand its history, the neighborhood, its strengths and its weaknesses.
2. Next, we do our research. We compile a complete, relevant list of recent sales, a thorough list of properties on the market and a comparable list of recently concluded Brooklyn real estate transactions.
3. We balance this information against the cost of new construction. We factor in what improvements might be necessary to stage the home more effectively. And, we use this quantitative analysis, called a comparative market analysis, to recommend a strong selling price designed to garner demand.

This is not a whimsical exercise. This is about establishing the maximum selling price your Brooklyn real estate should achieve.

To further discuss how you can realize the greatest real estate value for your home, contact me today at (718)253-9600 ext 206 or by email at charlesdalessandro@fillmore.com

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Charles D’Alessandro

charlesdalessandro@fillmore.com
tel 718 253-9600
fax 718 253-9573

There are a few things you can do to make the process of buying a new Brooklyn home easier and faster. Getting pre-approved for financing is one of them. Here are four advantages of loan pre-approval:

REALTORS® Take You Seriously

When you walk into an agent’s office with pre-approved financing, the agent knows he is not wasting his time showing you homes. If you do not have pre-approved financing be prepared for agents to ask a lot of questions and even possibly request that you get financing in hand. They are not trying to be invasive. They are avoiding “tire kickers” while helping you streamline the process.

Home Sellers Feel More Comfortable Dealing with You

When you have pre-approved financing, sellers are more apt to work with you on price, or other needs, in order to close the deal. They know that there are not going to be contingencies on a loan, or waiting and wondering if you qualify for the loan. They know they don’t have to worry about turning other prospects away and then finding out you haven’t been able to get a loan.

Fast Closings

Getting pre-approved for a loan means no waiting on the biggest of all hurdles before closing. Other items needed to close on a Brooklyn home purchase usually move quickly, but loan applications can drag out and require setting a closing date far into the future to allow for the time needed.

Less Stress

Above all else, having your financing in hand before you even begin to look for the perfect Brooklyn home makes the entire process less stressful for you. Knowing you have the money to back you up when you find the home of your dreams is much better than finding paradise and having to worry about getting financed and possibly losing it.

If you would like to find out more about pre-approved home loans, I can help. Contact me at 718 253-9600 ext.206 or email me at charles@brooklynrealestatesales.com.

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Charles D’Alessandro

charlesdalessandro@fillmore.com
tel 718 253-9600
fax 718 253-9573