Manhattan, NY

Hello Active Rain friends, I am back!!! For those of you who wonders where I have been, I have been away in Asia for few weeks, visiting family, friends, and of course some business too.

I was visiting Taipei Taiwan where I grew up until I was 13 years old, I have not been back in Taiwan for some time because I have not had much time for a long trip not to mention the long 17 hours of flight! It is great to see both of my grandmothers and other relatives, seeing everyone is healthy and happy, it was totally worth of the brutal long flight. (Below is a photo of a family photo of both grandmothers, parents, myself and Morgan).

Below are some sightseeing photos from (淡水漁人碼頭) Danshuei Fishermen's Wharf was built at this location because of the spectacular sunset, the nearby mouth of the Danshuei River, and view of Mt. Guanyin.

My mother and I on the bridge of Danshuei Fishermen's Wharf.

Below is a view from 陽明山國家公園 Yangmingshan National Park

The trip was fulfilling and productive, I was very happy to see the relatives and families. I look forward to another trip in the near future when time allows! For now, I am back in Active Rain and hope to see all of you in your blogs soon!

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If you are a seller that would like to have your property showcase to our oversea buyer connection. Please contact us now at (646)644-6929. If you are a buyer that speaks Chinese and would like work with someone that speaks your Chinese dialect, call us now at (646)644-6929.

We are both English and Chinese Speaking Real Estate agents under one of the most successful Manhattan Brokerage firm Prudential Douglas Elliman with extensive market knowledge. In addition, we specialize in connecting the local Manhattan sellers with both local and international buyers with our preferred buyer networks. Call us today at (212)321-7122 or (917)837-8869.

To Read More on buying Manhattan New York city Real Estate Click below links:

1. Made in Taiwan Real Estate Agent
2. 中文網站: http://www.GoldHouseUSA.com
3. Manhattan Real Estate Condominiums and Co-Ops.
4. Foreign National Buyers Buying in Manhattan New York city Must Read.
5. Foreign Buyers and out of town buyers MUST READ before you buy in NYC

Even though my family and I live in the Poconos, my wife maintains some of her doctors in New York City. And on the occasions that she see her doctors, we make it a point to have lunch at Fratelli Brick Oven Pizzeria and Wine Bar located on 1st Ave and 71st Street. From the moment you walk in you can expect to be greeted by friendly wait staff, if not the owners themselves. They run a tight ship and it shows in the quality of their food and the personal service. Whether you are enjoying their delicious brick oven pizza, a delicious chicken or veal dish, pasta or something else, you can be sure it is coming out fresh, hot and good. Being a wine lover, I can tell you Fratelli has a very nice selection that features quality wines that do not break the bank. Prices are reasonable and portions are generous. The actual address is 1317 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10021 and their telephone number is 212-249-6092. So the next time you are in New York City, make it a point to stop in at Fratelli and let them know Jason "The Pocono Realtor" sent you!

Brand New and Recuded Listings Available for Immediate to Decmeber 1st Occupancy

Contact JAD Realty Group to schedule an appointment.

610-781-8417

www.jadrealtygroup.com

New York City Feng Shui and Missed Opportunities by Feng Shui Long Island NY Consultant

Everything comes into our lives for a reason. Oftentimes, when we are not at our best energetically or otherwise, we won't take a second look at something that is coming our way. We're not up to it, we figure and without much thought, we'll just turn away from it, decline (with thanks) and think nothing more of it. We may be missing the boat here. Instead of saying no, think it through.

When opportunities come knocking, it is wise to be there to answer the door. While some don't appear to be anything particularly interesting or even inviting, based on the fact that you are working with the laws of attraction, it is always wise to look into something without just turning it down.

Investigate it further. Things most certainly are not always what they appear. In our hurried, sometimes scattered lives, we often don't stop to think things through well enough to make an informed decision.

Oftentimes, as well, a seemingly "rational" decision may not come to you. These are truly the times to go with your instincts; we have all access to these wonderful instincts, our "gut" feelings, but unfortunately fail to follow them.

No one ever knows where the next door will lead or the next bump in the road will take us. Wonderful opportunities we may have looked right passed may have also caused us to miss meeting a certain person, a lost business connection or an activity we may well have enjoyed.

Ask yourself if you are unconsciously putting up barriers. We have to be in the state of "allowance" to invite everything into our lives. Knowing that they are there for a reason might be a tool in determining your ultimate decision. How can you know what to do when you simply don't KNOW what to do? Here are some ideas that might help you along.

Some people meditate regularly, others not at all. Meditation is nothing more then a deep state of reaction, when you are not thinking of anything at all and have nothing inside to "clutter" your head and confuse an already overworked brain. Instead of trying so hard to focus on an answer to a dilemma we are facing, try allowing the answer to just come to you.

Another way to accomplish this is to think about the issue just before bedtime. And then let it go for the night. Whoever said you shouldn't make a big decision without sleeping on it was 100% correct.

Taking a walk can clear your head as well. Spending time outdoors with nature for some of us is a state of allowing thoughts, decisions and energy to just flow. Since we are connected to everything by energy, the outdoor energy of plants and tress, birds and animals is essential to our well being.

Also, remember to pray. If your thoughts are focused, your intentions clear and mindful, it doesn't matter who or what you choose to pray to. There is a power in prayer and also a releasing of things to a higher power that will help you find your answers and your direction; you won't have to worry about a possible missed opportunity again.

Long Island NY Feng Shui Consultant Carole Provenzale http://www.LongIslandFengShui.com

NYC and Queens NY Feng Shui Consultant Laura Cerrano http://www.FengShuiManhattan.com

We have all either seen or heard of that TV show "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" where adults try to answer questions that a fifth grader could answer. You assume the adults would know the answers because...well they're adults and have had more years of life and learning under their belt. Well, often that's not the case...the fifth graders usually win.

I found myself this past week wondering if home sellers were smarter than real estate agents. I was contacted by two homeowners who were interested in staging their vacant investment properties. Both of the properties were in New York City, however one was for sale and the other was a very high-end rental.

Both homeowners realized that they needed to furnish and accessorize their properties in order to stand out from the other properties on the market for rent and for sale. In fact, one of the homeowners believed in staging so much, she had staged by herself another of her investment properties, which is for sale. But after realizing it was a lot of work and very tiring (welcome to my world!), she decided to hire a professional for her rental property.

This homeowner told me that her real estate agent didn't think it was necessary to furnish either apartment. The agent felt they would sell and rent without staging.

I did a quick check of the rental unit on www.streeteasy.com, and it showed competitive rentals in the same price range, location and type of building. One of the units had one bedroom more than the subject unit, AND there were pictures of furnished rooms for prospective renters to imagine themselves living in!

More than 80% of buyers and renters start their search online, so don't you think photos of furnished and decorated rooms would be more appealing than those that are not?

What if you were looking online and saw these photos?

What if you were online and saw THESE photos?

In the other case where I was contacted by the homeowner whose property was for sale, I spoke to the real estate agent myself, not knowing in advance her position on home staging. When I told her who I was and that I had been to the property in order to prepare a home staging proposal, she vehemently stated "No furniture!". She went on to state that she had sold other units in the townhouse complex and she was able to sell the units without them being furnished. She also told me what she was listing the property at and that she was going to probably accept offers that were 5% less.

So I told her that...

The cost of staging is almost ALWAYS less than the first price reduction and in this case it was (2%).

Then I told her WHY the unit should be furnished, and after every one of my statements, she said "I disagree!"

• Empty rooms appear smaller than they really are
• No emotional connection can be felt when buyers walk into an empty house
• Most buyers can't picture where there furniture will go and if it will fit
• Most buyers can't imagine themselves living there if there is nothing there
• Small defects stand out because there's nothing else to look at

I could have given her other reasons, but I got tired of hearing "I disagree!".

What do you think? Are home sellers smarter than real estate agents when it comes to home staging and selling homes?