So can someone give an approximate price. about how much does it cost to change/install new lock(s) on the front door of a brownstone?

Posted by: bklynborn at June 21, 2007 2:21 PM in response to locksmiths

I will be in a very similar situation in a couple of months (planning to renovate a kitchen and bathroom in a recently purchased limestone). I know prices widely vary - but can anyone give the approximate cost of using an architect (consulting vs drawing up plans)

Posted by: bklynborn at May 24, 2007 2:12 PM in response to Contractor/Interior Design

Congrats on the new roof! I am about to go into contract (fingers crossed) on a limestone and was told by the inspector that the roof should last for a few more years but would probaly need to be replaced in 5 or so years. Do you mind me asking the total cost of your roof replacement?

Posted by: bklynborn at April 23, 2007 11:17 AM in response to Shiny new roof and other progress...

original poster here. yes very good advice. i have brought in aguayo and brooklyn properties. i also want to see what corcoran has to say and offer - but it seems like the first agent you make contact with is the one you're stuck with - so i was just looking to see if there was anyone who i should immediately reach out to.

Posted by: bklynborn at April 6, 2007 4:44 PM in response to Corcoran Agent for South Slope?

Sounds like 4:22 sold in the summer of '05.

Posted by: at April 6, 2007 4:44 PM in response to Corcoran Agent for South Slope?

Whichever you choose, for the money they're earning ask that they take decent photos of your property at least. I always see such really bad ones on listings, especially Corcoran for some reason. And if they won't spring for the cost of having a floorplan made for your listing, forget it.

Posted by: at April 6, 2007 4:52 PM in response to Corcoran Agent for South Slope?

I had a good experience as a buyer with Jim Cornell at Corcoran. He has a team of brokers who work withh him and do a good job. They solved every problem I had. I know they do similar good work for sellers. He has a rep as a bit of a curmudgeon (bad spelling) but he is one of the best brokers in brownstone Brooklyn.

Posted by: anon at April 6, 2007 5:03 PM in response to Corcoran Agent for South Slope?

An apt from my building used corcoran. I felt they did a bad job. They brought to the co-op an all cash offer. The apt was being bought by a parent for a child. I feel they pushed the owner into accepting the offer because it was all cash.(therefore a quick closing and fast cash for broker) But they should have realized it was unlikely that the board would have approved someone who was not an owner occupier. The buyer dropped out after they realized the board would probably not approve them, wasting the sellers time. I wouldn't use them.

Posted by: anon at April 6, 2007 6:25 PM in response to Corcoran Agent for South Slope?

No matter what you do, DO NOT USE CORCORAN.

Use a small local firm. They need the business more and will go the extra mile that Corcoran won't.

Posted by: at April 6, 2007 9:27 PM in response to Corcoran Agent for South Slope?

dianne young at corcoran is great agent and a wonderful lady. she has always been very gracious and will work hard for you. tell her ari from the wooster group referred you.

Posted by: mcteague at April 7, 2007 12:32 AM in response to Corcoran Agent for South Slope?

all that really matters is the web site and how well know the company is. Just go with the most superficial aspects in choosing a realtor.

Posted by: at April 7, 2007 12:45 AM in response to Corcoran Agent for South Slope?

anon at 4:44: 4:22 here. you are almost right - we sold in april 2005.

Posted by: at April 7, 2007 8:08 AM in response to Corcoran Agent for South Slope?

the advantage with corcoran or BHS is that
they attract a lot more manhattan buyers,
so I would suggest going with one of them,
as a seller. The advantage of the smaller
players is you can end up negotiating a much
reduced commission.
--Not a broker, but I sold a few
places in the last few years.

Posted by: not_a_broker at April 7, 2007 8:51 AM in response to Corcoran Agent for South Slope?

shop around as you would do with any other important decision
go to the corcoran site, check out which brokers service your area, see what they've sold recently etc.
I had an excellent experience with them, but that was manhattan
definately check out small firms/on the buying side i met many excellent agents from brooklyn companies

factors:
good photos/floor plans
commission cost
policies about advanced warning for showing
open house schedules
personality: would you buy something from them
knowledge about the neighborhood and who they think your target market is
knowledge/theories about pricing

i went with the person who presented the most complete & solid understanding of the market and who had a game plan with contingincies if we didn't sell quickly, etc. it was a team and i liked them both.

Posted by: ms.crown heights reno at April 7, 2007 9:28 AM in response to Corcoran Agent for South Slope?