The 2007 prices are long gone. I would recommend to get the house appraised, (not by a real estate broker), just to give you an idea what the house is worth. I used Frank Viola - great guy and knowledgable about brownstones. Good Luck!

Posted by: dragontales at September 16, 2009 6:31 AM in response to Sunset Park Brownstone Broker?

I would recommend Aileen Truesdale at Brown Harris Stevens. She is very professional and understandable when it comes to a house that has been in a family for a long time. Where is this house located? Good Luck!

Posted by: dragontales at September 15, 2009 5:38 PM in response to Sunset Park Brownstone Broker?

Thanks alot

Posted by: dragontales at April 20, 2009 12:36 PM in response to Limited Liability Corp (LLC)

"(don't go higher than 6%)

Posted by: gemini10 at September 15, 2009 3:36 PM"

Is that the going rate for commission now? For comparison, the rate in the UK is 2.5% for sole agency with a big-name agency (2% for most places) and even that is considered meaty with a lot of calls for it to be lowered.

Posted by: the chicken at September 15, 2009 5:50 PM in response to Sunset Park Brownstone Broker?

here's an article talking about it earlier this year:

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article5933639.ece

Posted by: the chicken at September 15, 2009 5:52 PM in response to Sunset Park Brownstone Broker?

6% was standard before the real estate meltdown. But I have heard (from brokers themselves) that even "name brand" brokers (Corcoran, Brown Harris) were accepting 4% a few months ago.

Posted by: pmmtenement at September 15, 2009 6:05 PM in response to Sunset Park Brownstone Broker?

6% and you're being robbed. You can easily negotiate 3% in the current market.

Posted by: Zarathustra at September 15, 2009 6:29 PM in response to Sunset Park Brownstone Broker?

I agree. 6% is INSANE in this market (always was in my opinion, but hell, people were paying it). It seems the commissions have been negotiable in the last 9 months or so, and 3.5 or 4% is absolutely possible.

Posted by: Nokilissa at September 15, 2009 7:09 PM in response to Sunset Park Brownstone Broker?

I don't think you should be aiming at 2007 prices! Nobody is going to pay today what was being paid in 2007. Plus, the location the previous posted mentioned -- 44th between 5th and 6th, is probably the most desirable in the neighborhood as it faces the park.

Posted by: southbrooklyn at September 15, 2009 8:49 PM in response to Sunset Park Brownstone Broker?

The 2007 prices are long gone. I would recommend to get the house appraised, (not by a real estate broker), just to give you an idea what the house is worth. I used Frank Viola - great guy and knowledgable about brownstones. Good Luck!

Posted by: dragontales at September 16, 2009 6:31 AM in response to Sunset Park Brownstone Broker?

I'm going to give advice a bit different than most of the other posters. A Corcoran type broker MAY in fact be able to get a higher price for the house than a local broker; however, if the price set by that broker is significantly higher than the neighborhood (even if it's in the "OK, that's reasonable" range of the Corcoran-shopper), your mother's house will sit. Time is money.

Price it right for the neighborhood; if you're going with a Corcoran type broker, maybe it can be pitched a little higher, but be realistic, especially now, if you need to sell it.

Posted by: Minmin at September 16, 2009 6:55 AM in response to Sunset Park Brownstone Broker?

Brown Harris Stevens and Corcorcan agents are not allowed to accept less than 5%, it just a rumor if you hear otherwise. They are not allowed to negotiate even in this market. That is how they do business. Smaller offices can negotiate the commission and will accept 4%. If it is a reputable smaller office with you recieve the same bells and wistles (nytimes ads, website presence, professional floor plans/photos, open houses, etc) as a larger corporate office. You will also recieve a more personalized service.

Posted by: broker at September 16, 2009 9:18 AM in response to Sunset Park Brownstone Broker?

Corcoran agents most certainly can accept commissions less than 5%. I sold my co-op through Corcoran only because they agreed to match the 4% commission a smaller agency offered me.

Posted by: billtubbyhouse at September 16, 2009 10:18 AM in response to Sunset Park Brownstone Broker?