Luke Constantino

Luke Constantino| Remax@ The Slope, October 27^th 2009

There are a few days before Halloween, and you're trying to figure out a great place to take the kids. "Will my neighbors watch the dogs while I'm gone?" Don't worry:

Park Slope's got you covered!

"Hey, where you goin? Want some candy?!?!?!"

The Halloween Parade in Manhattan is geared more towards adults. I have been there many times and have seen a lot of adult-themed costumes, drinking in the streets, lewd behavior, and nothing geared towards kids. The Manhattan Halloween Parade is really parade for adults. I felt pretty badly for all the parents and children that went and were expecting something different. Believe it or not, a lot of us New Yorkers are not like this.

That's why The Park Slope Halloween Parade has something for everyone!

The day starts off with the "Howl-a-Ween" Pet Parade from 1-3PM @ J.J. Byrne Park/Washington Park. Get there early to register your dog in the parade! Pet sign up starts at 12:00 and costs $10.00 dollars, which goes to maintenance and programs for the park. So not only will your pet be in a parade, you will be helping out the local park in the community! J.J. Byrne Park/Washington Park is located on 5^th Avenue and 4^th Street. The Pet Parade is a lot of fun to watch!

At 4 PM there is a Halloween costume contest. There are different categories ranging from best theme to best classic character, so be creative! The winners will be given banners they can proudly display in the parade! To enter go to John Jay High School @ 237 7^th Avenue (between 4^th and 5^th St.) at 4PM. I myself see the most unique handmade costumes there!

THE PARADE!!!

The parade starts at 6:30 on the corner of 7^th Avenue and 14^th Street, turns left on 7^th and 3^rd and ends at The Old Stone House @ J.J. Byrne Park/Washington Park. The festivities will howl on until 9:00PM. Who will be there? Only Park Slope's most interesting Monsters, of course. Even Greenwood Cemetery gets in on this action! How many people can say they saw a float from a cemetery at their Halloween Parade?

All of Park Slope gets in on this one. There are many activities for kids and adults. All the local bars and lounges participate in the festivities during and after the parade, too. This has to be the most versatile Halloween parade in New York City. Will I be there?

Damn skippy!

And I'm bringing my dogs too!

_____________________________

Luke Constantino
RE/MAX @ THE SLOPE
(212) 300-3919

http://LukeConstantino.com

Luke Constantino| Saturday, October 10th 2009

Samantha, a working mother with two kids who has a very prestigious job in midtown, lives in a coop near Riverside Drive in NYC calls me to ask: "Do you have any renovated second floor apartments in a good, safe neighborhood in Brooklyn for under 1,800 p/mo?" She goes on to tell me how her bills are getting higher and the kids are becoming more expensive as they get older.

She tells me her job recently went through a lot of cut backs which lowered her pay wage and she is looking towards long term: Samantha wants to rent. This is happening way too much due to our economy. A lot of people are downsizing to make ends meet and are thinking what this change might bring often.

"I want to go back to Bay Ridge where I grew up and maybe, one day, when my finances are straight and the economy gets better, move back to NYC." I'm using this story because I'm seeing this more now than ever in every facet. From House to coops/condos there is a lot of downsizing going on. I won't even get into how the banks are making it impossible from a person with good credit to buy a home.
Now, tthese are the people I help everyday.

To make a long story short, I sold Samantha's coop very quickly to a couple downsizing in Manhattan and she now lives in a very spacious apartment in the upper 90's area of Bay Ridge with her childen.

Seems like the rainbow being promised to us has a tainted, empty pot of gold at the end of it.


Luke Constantino
Commercial | Residential
RE/MAX @ THE SLOPE
Direct: (212) 300-3919 | Fax: (360) 368-0098
http://LukeConstantino.com

Luke Constantino September 3, 2009

A lot of Americans are opting to stay close to home this Labor Day weekend. I hear a lot of people are not traveling abroad or flying as much this year because of the economy. I'm hearing a lot about families camping, going to local area beaches, or staying at home for BBQs and block parties. I myself am going to visit with family for a BBQ. Can this poor economy be bringing family and friends closer together?

As a Realtor in NYC, I have noticed a lot of stores closing, high end properties for sale and everyone just trying to consolidate as best as they can. I also hear a lot of tension when speaking to sellers being presented with low ball offers 25-40% below current market value. It's frustrating as hell! The President said "It's going to get worse before it gets any better." We all know that, but when is it going to get better?

Foreclosures are at an all time high here. I have never seen so many in my life! This is only the first wave of what's to come. You have a lot of good people taking out loans to keep their homes and businesses afloat until this blows over. It's taking longer than predicted. They will be the next wave of property/business owners in trouble. Along with banks, accumulating inventory and these types of loans going unpaid, how long is this crisis going to last?

I'm seeing property prices starting to regulate from the overpriced market we were in for a while, but I am also seeing something else: Family and friends starting to get together and be a little friendlier to each other, and families cutting down on the bloated budgets they were working with. Neighbors are socializing more. If it takes an economic crisis for this to happen, I hope we stay this way a little longer.

Luke Constantino | August 27, 2009

Watching the news has pretty much confused me. The say the national average on home sales has risen 4%, 6%, 9% depending on what channel you watch. I feel it's safe to say this because there are some sales going on nationwide, but not enough to be of any significance. I know there is going to be a second wave to this economic crisis coming soon, but I don't know when it will be.

There are three different price ranges when it comes to residential properties here in the NYC area: "LOW" being 650K and below, MID 650-975K and HIGH - 1MIL+. From what I am seeing, the only properties that are getting a majority of movement right now are the low range houses from first time home buyers. There are closings happening with the mid and high range ones, but it's not as noticeable. Businesses are still closing too, which tells me, like a thermometer, it's really not getting any better.

The second wave to this economic crisis is going to be home and business owners who have taken out loans to keep their businesses and homes afloat and cannot afford to pay them back. Does this mean business for me? Yes, but this is what I call "negative business". I pride myself on knowing people in my community, store owners and where to find milk at the best price. There's a certain rhythm to this city I feel has been disrupted by the downfall of the more than average amount of people here.

Luke Constantino| August 11 2009

Anyone in this business can tell you this is a frequent occurrence, especially in this first time home buyer's market. Dealing with a majority of people who are looking for the perfect first home can be confusing to them and for the Realtor. The first time homebuyer tax credit deadline is December 1st. I myself am experiencing a lot of people running around like the sky is falling. What do you do? How can you effectively deal with these people? Here are some tips to change a no show into a close.

Be thorough: When you speak to a buyer, make sure you have in depth information on that first time buyer. Remember, they called you for information, and a good conversation will be an exchange of this. It will lower the possibility of this person being a no show at any appointment you get them. Screen them first, making sure they are pre approved, not pre qualified for a loan, know the amount it's for and always have a buyer's information sheet ready.

Invite them to meet you in your office: Having a buyer screened over the phone is one thing, inviting them to your office? Gold. This will give them and you a chance to meet and go over exactly what they are looking for in a first time home. I myself get a better feeling for what a buyer wants and what they need in meeting them. Body language can tell you a lot more than a voice over the phone, plus it shows a seriousness when a buyer is willing to do this purchase as professionally as possible. So keep some good cookies, coffee and cream ready!

Do a buyers CMA: "What the hell is that?" It's kind of like the reverse of a seller's CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) but a little different. Your first time homebuyer is not too experienced in prices in the area they want to buy, so you educate them, letting them always know you will get them either the lowest price or the best deal. Show them what has successfully sold in the area they are looking in, what's under contract, what's currently on the market and what failed to sell. This will give the buyer a good sense of market value and will bring you one step closer to getting them what they want at a good price.

I know this is a very challenging market and a lot of people are afraid to commit, but being in this business for as long as I have gives me a 6th sense. I know, along with everything written above, who will buy. I know myself, I'd rather get the listing and work with the seller, but there are two sides to this coin: if you never work with the buyer you're only half as good as you think you are. What also helps is putting yourself in the first time homebuyer's shoes. This is complicated and confusing to them, help them!

Homebuyer's Welcome!

Luke Constantino has been a realtor for over 12 years and is currently employed by Remax @ The Slope in NYC. He has also been quoted in the April 08' issue of "Time Out New York" magazine on "How to be the perfect candidate - Tips for renters" along with many other publications.