How to buy a house?

If the first person doesn't work out, please contact me. I could use it for a garden level bathroom and pick it up this weekend.
Thanks.
lswinston@gmail.com

Posted by: VHR at November 13, 2009 11:07 AM in response to Free Bamboo Flooring!

You all have me rolling with laughter. I used to work in downtown Brooklyn and I could see a Red Lobster or the like down there. In middle America, a fancy chain restaurant is Bahama Breeze. No one mentioned Outback Steakhouse.

Posted by: VHR at November 11, 2009 10:29 PM in response to 'Nationally Known' Restaurants May Land in 345 Adams

Stuy--We looked at the first house again with our contractor/friend who said to run away fast because the renovation the owners had done was awful. So that was easy to walk from. The second house they just called us back last week. It had been a month since they had accepted our offer. In the meantime we had moved on and we told them that. I think we decided it was meant to be not to have those houses. If we did go back to the second house, we would certainly not give them the same price we had originally agreed on. Good luck with whatever you choose. It's so crazy out there. I want to buy a house we can stay in forever since I don't want to do this again!

Posted by: VHR at September 22, 2009 11:39 AM in response to Worst Broker Experience Ever

The same thing has happened to us twice this summer. We already have had the contract and then another contract goes out to the new higher bidder. Both houses are still for sale since the other higher bidder never signed the contract. Then the sellers have come crying back to us. We had already moved on from both houses. We don't understand why the sellers would take such a gamble. We even told the sellers of the second house that we would walk away if they considered another offer after accepting ours. I'm not sure if it's the sellers who are doing this on their own or if it is the real estate brokers who are making this mess.It seems to be the brokers. It's so hard to actually buy a house now. Hoepfully we will finally get a signed contract now with our 3rd contract.

Posted by: VHR at September 22, 2009 11:06 AM in response to Worst Broker Experience Ever

As Hide posted on DUMBONYC blog:
Spike Lee is directing a commercial for Rocawear, starring Jay-Z.

Posted by: VHR at August 4, 2009 2:35 PM in response to Spike and Jay-Z Do Dumbo

We live there because it's quiet, we have water and city views from our 3rd floor apartment, it's a 5 min. walk from the F train, one stop from work in Manhattan, the trees, the light is amazing at sunset, we have friendly neighbors who all like this hood because other don't.

Posted by: VHR at July 7, 2009 3:25 PM in response to Development Watch: Glacial Pace at 109 Gold

How do you define 'one of the worst projects in Brooklyn', brickoven? I have lived around the corner from Farragut Houses for 5 years and never had a problem. I believe there are other neighborhoods in Brooklyn, East NY, and Brownsville for example who have a worse reputation for problems with projects than the Farrgut Houses, next to DUMBO and Vinegar Hill.

Posted by: VHR at June 23, 2009 3:21 PM in response to Development Watch: 277 Gold Street

I contacted the realtor about this unit back in January and she never called back. I wanted to know if it was a true 3 bedroom. Now I see that it's not a 3 bedroom, maybe that is why she didn't call me back. It's very frustrating looking for a 3 bedroom apt when realtors advertise their 2 bedrooms with home office as a 3 bedroom apt. A windowless room is not a bedroom. Isn't it illegal to advertise it as such?

Posted by: VHR at May 7, 2009 12:50 PM in response to Condo of the Day: 70 Washington Street, #9G

go for it! must be great feeling. Corley's lazy ass is probbly reading this right now.

Posted by: jack slade at September 22, 2009 1:19 PM in response to Worst Broker Experience Ever

I'm not in the Real Estate business, but if I felt my broker was not communicating my offer in a timely fashion, I would let the seller know. Of course, I would include all sorts of disclaimers about how I was not trying to circumvent the relationship between seller and broker. I would think the seller would want to know if the broker was behaving in a fashion that could jeopardize the sale of his/her property.

Posted by: anon552 at September 22, 2009 2:18 PM in response to Worst Broker Experience Ever

Actually, as a licensed real estate broker, I am not allowed to contact the owner of a property under exclusive to another broker, so that was not an option. As the firm is not a REBNY member, my only recourse was to call that agent's managing broker directly, which I did, with the predictable response of, "That's what you say; my agent tells me a different story," so no hope there, and the other alternative is the DoS, which, actually pays much less attention to complaints from within the industry than from without, so nothing doing there either. It's a shame that so many sellers fall for these two-bit brokers' lines about charging a lower commission, etc. -- kind of like the unscrupulous mortgage brokers -- preying primarily on less-sophisticated owners.

Posted by: babs at September 22, 2009 2:57 PM in response to Worst Broker Experience Ever

Babs, your statement about "two bit brokers" and so on is a gross generalization of the industry and insulting to many involved. I am sure there are many sound and prudent methods for conveying your situation to the owner represented by this difficult broker. I believe the statute makes public policy exeptions, if even applicable and hopefully the same for REBNY rules; again, I believe it is an industry duty to protect against bad broker behavior and poor representation. You would rather spew your generalizatios about non-REBNY brokers instead of taking the proactive measure of protecting your own industry. By your inaction, you as a real estate broker, left another prospective buyer, broker to the exposure of your own horrible circumstance. This is how you protect your business and perhaps property?

Posted by: foulplay at September 22, 2009 3:33 PM in response to Worst Broker Experience Ever

Actually, the buyers who were with me at this incident were more upset about it than I was and later purchased a (more expensive) property through me, co-broking with another REBNY broker, so my business was very well-protected, thanks to the unprofessional actions of the seller's broker.

But this thread was not originally about the difference between REBNY and non-REBNY brokers, although I can't understand why any good, experienced, and knowledgeable broker would NOT be a REBNY member. You, foulplay, obviously believe otherwise and nothing I say or do will change your mind. Nor do I care to -- the market will take care of that just fine. Good luck to you.

Posted by: babs at September 22, 2009 3:48 PM in response to Worst Broker Experience Ever

As a member of REBNY, I can assure you – belonging to that trade group is no guarantee of ethical behavior. There are many, small Non-REBNY brokers that are both professional and ethical. Brokers are like any other trade: Contractors, nannies, mechanics, doctors etc. It comes down to the individual.

Posted by: Crownlfc at September 22, 2009 4:00 PM in response to Worst Broker Experience Ever

Because any "good, experienced and knowledgable broker" quite frankly should NOT have to become a REBNY member. I would love an explanation. The market indeed does take care of itself. A good broker is a good broker regardless of the existence of REBNY. Why is every broker, agent, etc. of a large brokerage house obligatd to become a REBNY member? Perhaps, the named managing broker for each office might make sense; but every agent? That sounds like many memberships and a great deal of expense. The public should flesh out the bad brokers and sales agents; not the "false" protection of REBNY. Your conduct and professionalism as a broker should validate your ability in the industry - not REBNY. The reputation is what carries the day, NOT a symbolic membership.

Posted by: foulplay at September 22, 2009 4:12 PM in response to Worst Broker Experience Ever

I completely agree with both foulplay and Crownlfc. Of course there are very reputable, professional non-REBNY brokers that provide terrific service, get great prices for their clients and cobroke all day long. There has always been this tug back and forth between REBNY and non-REBNY offices, but to not even acknowledge that there is value in a non-REBNY broker, shows an inability to be objective and therefore, is not very credible advice.

Posted by: broker at September 22, 2009 4:13 PM in response to Worst Broker Experience Ever

Crownlfc, based on your last note and as an actual member of REBNY, the bloggers, especially Babs, might some pay attention.

Posted by: foulplay at September 22, 2009 4:20 PM in response to Worst Broker Experience Ever

To joe the bummer re: libel--To be exposed to a suit for libel or slander, the basic premise is that the accusation(s)is/are FALSE so if the O/P is stating the story accurately, then there is nothing to worry about. Obviously the O/P should be prepared to document the claim(s).

Posted by: Hank at September 22, 2009 4:30 PM in response to Worst Broker Experience Ever