Our 3rd Annual New York Real Estate Jingle: the 2011 edition

by Honeycrisp December 22, 2011

T’was the night before new years’, and for the third year in a row New Yorkers relaxed with a glass of Bordeaux. ‘not that real estate blossomed or soared to new highs Nor that our dear economy was back on the rise. No, this complex and sweet oenological treat Comes from having merely avoided defeat. [...]

Read the full article →

We’re calling it: the return of bidding wars!

by Empire December 21, 2011

What’s that? Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s the return of the bidding wars.  That’s right – we’re bold apples – we’re courageous – we’re putting a stake in the ground and calling the beginning of bidding war season.  We’re already seeing this trend rear its head in a few deals [...]

Read the full article →

Whether bull or bear, are you prepared accordingly?

by Honeycrisp December 14, 2011

It’s hard to tell nowadays which end is up.  One day we’re headed towards economic Armageddon and the next day we hear of steady growth and inflation threats. It’s enough to give you whiplash, to be sure.  Instead of becoming one of the many prognosticators of what’s to come, we’d rather help you think out [...]

Read the full article →

Brooklyn’s housing market galloping along like Santa’s reindeer

by Empire December 8, 2011

It used to be that Brooklyn was the safe bet for phenomenal purchase deals versus the Manhattan value proposition … those kind of deals that those who bought in Manhattan back in the 80′s can brag about to the envy of their friends.  Bragging rights no longer for today’s Brooklyn buyers.  In fact, we would [...]

Read the full article →

What % of deals fall apart after the signed contract?

by McIntosh November 30, 2011

It may be news to some of you but no deal is a deal until that contract is signed by both sides and then delivered to the buyer’s attorney.  Translation:  an accepted offer is not legally binding and does not warrant an exhale from either side.   This is why sellers’ brokers will continue to host [...]

Read the full article →

A MasterCard Moment for all you renters out there

by Honeycrisp November 28, 2011

So now you’re probably thoroughly depressed after understanding the state of the rental market today.  And yet there’s always a reason to be thankful, turkey or not.  And here is that reason: if there’s any price negotiation to be had, it’s during the holiday season when no other renters want to move.  This is the [...]

Read the full article →

When landlords go for the bling bling: upgrades come with up-prices

by Empire November 8, 2011

Not so long ago, we declared the extinction of the mom-and-pop landlord.  We did so based on the luxuryification of rental buildings (think condo-quality “Class A” rental inventory) and the high cost of maintaining them competitively.  What we’re now seeing is a swath of “Class B” rental buildings looking to leverage this strong rental market.  [...]

Read the full article →

The pricing quandary: what’s a seller to do?

by McIntosh November 4, 2011

There’s a bit of a dilemma that sellers face when pricing their properties.  On one hand, they’re told to price to sell and be competitive in the market place.  On another hand, when they do so, buyers balk at paying the asking price, regardless of where it’s set.  Buyers often want the sellers to be [...]

Read the full article →

BREAKING NEWS: if you haven’t refinanced yet, do so this week!

by Honeycrisp November 1, 2011

We always like keeping our ears on the ground and our savvy mortgage sources tell us rates are plummeting … now! today!  25 basis points in one day kind of plummeting … and likely to do so even more through the end of the week.  We’re talking jumbo conforming rates at 4% or below, and 7/1 [...]

Read the full article →

Avoiding confusion: What to do if a buyer comes along quicker than you expected?

by Empire October 24, 2011

So you finally got your head around listing your property, engaged the right agents and landed on the smart price to attract the desired buyer pool.  You barely aligned your emotions with the new reality that you are, indeed, moving and, lo and behold, you already have a buyer nipping at your toes.  Everyone is [...]

Read the full article →