Luke Constantino

Luke Constatino | April 17th, 2009

On April 16th, New York Governor David Patterson spoke about same sex marriage as a prejudice that needs to be corrected in our society. He compared the bill to the long time discrimination against blacks. Mayor Bloomberg was also there with other politicians to enforce this bill.

In the past, New York has said it would recognize gay marriages contracted elsewhere.

In my personal opinion, I don't find anything wrong with this bill. It should be passed and other states should follow suit (yes that includes you Texas!). Its 2009. I believe everyone should have a right to be happy and to never be discriminated against in this civilized world we live in today.

America...

Let's get out of the jaded past we have been through and move forward to make this a better world for everyone.

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

Luke Constantino April 11, 2009

I have a client who checks Zillow.com consistently. He calls me one day and tells me "Luke, do you know the price of houses is going up?" I answer him with a question: "Really, that's great, where did you get this information?" He starts to elaborate on where he got his results.

I have been in the business for quite a while and get this from time to time. If the prices in this market are going up, it would mean there is more buying and the inventory is going down. At the same time there are different price categories of properties which might not affect the owner at all. This is not what a client wants to hear, but sometimes giving them the definition of the market is the best thing instead of hurting them.

His property was in the mid to high range area for his location. Due to the market change, all the smaller, lower priced properties were selling quickly, bringing up the demand. The current market climate is perfect for first time home buyers at the time.

I made up a recently sold property package, sat down and showed him his property wasn't in this price category. If he was to raise the price of his property, he would help everyone sell theirs by using him as an example. He wasn't very happy about it, but was very appreciative. I had his property in contract 10 days later.

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

Luke Constantino April 10th, 2009

"Omne vivum ex ovo" Latin for "All life comes from an egg".

It has always been a well known fact in the Christian region that the egg was a symbol for life. Not only did you have to give something up for Lent, you were also forbidden to eat eggs. So what comes after Lent? Easter, when you can eat all the eggs you want!

So where does painting eggs come from? Well, it has nothing to do with religion. It was a tradition that came from the ancient Persians. They used to celebrate the new year by (what else?) painting eggs!

Are certain religions similar? You are the judge:

In the Jewish religion, at the Passover Seder (relives the enslavement and subsequent Exodus of the Children of Israel from Ancient Egypt) a hard-boiled egg dipped in salt water symbolizes both new life and the Passover sacrifice offered at the Temple in Jerusalem.

Colored or not, just give me a little salt, a hard boiled and I'm happy.

Enjoy the holidays everyone!

Luke Constantino | April 9th, 2009

Yesterday I was working: on a contract, 3 people bidding on the same place, a partition, a new listing at $2.2M, and a rental. Hey, it's that time of year here in NYC. I just recently switched offices and had a lot on my plate. On top of this, I have another broker trying to squeeze me for extra money so I called a lawyer friend of mine to help me out.

He told me it wasn't a problem and he would shoot a letter out to this broker. Problem solved. We started talking and have known each other for quite a while. At the end of the conversation he said:

"Luke, are you sure you have been doing real estate for only 12 years? Every time I talk to you I feel like I'm talking to an extremely seasoned pro - you know everything!"

I was extremely flattered and somewhat humbled by this statement. I thought for a second about all the reading and hands-on learning I have been through...

Wow, this really is me.

I replied by saying "Thank you, should I buy lunch now?" We both laughed and ended the conversation.

I don't do this for compliments. It's my career. But when you work hard or smart and are good at both, people see that. I don't believe the days of an honest day's work for an honest day's pay are over. The compliment made me look back for a second. I think we all should do that sometimes...

Now it's time to keep looking forward.

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

Luke constantino | April 8, 2009

Changing Offices: Park Slope

I just changed my office location from Bensonhurst to Park Slope and I couldn't be happier!

Park Slope has become one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in the Brooklyn Heights area. With brownstones, limestones and small shops, this area has always had a small village type feel to it. I remember Park Slope from when I was a kid in the 70's, and it has come a long way.

Prospect Park at the end of Park Slope was the place I used to be all the time. This is not as well known as Central Park but it was built by the same architects. There was always something to do there. From bicycle riding, ice-skating, fishing, to horseback riding, there was always something to do there. The park even has its own zoo!

Now I go to the Farmer's market on Sundays at JJ Byrne Park. It starts in June and is a great place to get a good deal on fresh fruits and veggies, which I love. Sometimes I hit the one in front of Prospect Park on the East side but that tends to get crowded very quickly. Sometimes I get lucky and know a few of the vendors from previous years and they give me free stuff.

(Ay Luke, these are nice grapefruits, no?)

None of the kids really play stickball around here anymore, but it's still an awesome place to take a walk, especially in the early evening right around the end of spring. People sit on their stoops, neighbors talk about the day's activities, and the trees shade the beautiful brownstones that line many of the blocks here.

So if you ever get a chance, take the F or the R and come to Park Slope...

It will be a place you won't soon forget.

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