After having just undergone a week long road trip through America where they ain't got mom and pop restaurants I'd have to vote for Carabba's if we have to endure another "nationally known" restaurant in downtown.

Posted by: gothamlawyer at November 11, 2009 2:30 PM in response to 'Nationally Known' Restaurants May Land in 345 Adams

That last comment is absolutely untrue, however helpful RE agents might be. There is simply no requirement that you have to have a broker in any transaction. Or an attorney, for that matter.

Posted by: gothamlawyer at September 2, 2009 3:09 PM in response to Co-broking for Myself

I had my soil tested with UMass about 8 years ago and it was the same story - elevated lead. They also told me that plants with fruits - tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, etc. - do not leach lead into the fruit itself. UMass advised against planting and eating root vegetables and leafy vegetables as the lead becomes present in the food. I've eaten a lot of tomatoes since then and haven't had any probleasfgsdmkal;lk;mf;. IJOGjjzzzzzzzzzzz.
Bad joke.
But the more organic material, e.g., compost, you put into the soil the less likely lead is to leach into your food.
For what it's worth I've fed my kids the tomatoes and they've had no elevated lead in their blood according to their (semi-loony) pediatrician. Also, the Brooklyn Botanical Garden told me (in 2001) that gardening in Brooklyn is totally safe and that tests weren't even needed...

Posted by: gothamlawyer at May 14, 2009 2:25 PM in response to Brooklyn Ground Zero for Lead Soil Problems

This is such great news - an actual brick and mortar book store that's expanding. By the way before you order a book on Amazon call up Book Court - they'll have it for you in the same time or less and and you don't have to pay shipping. That is, if you want to support your local independent book store.

Posted by: gothamlawyer at October 13, 2008 11:41 AM in response to Book Court Expands

Full disclosure: I'll be speaking tonight at Huckleberry regarding the legal side of home purchases. We try to focus on home purchases for people who have "non traditional" sources of income, such as project-based employment or self-employment. It can be more difficult to obtain mortgage financing without a typical "9 to 5" job - we, especially Rob Slifer, the mortgage broker, try to tailor this seminar toward the atypical homebuyer who may have a more difficult time applying for a mortgage. Hence, the "hipster" focus. By the way, Eve Levine is the real estate broker who has organized this event - for some reason she was not listed here.

Posted by: gothamlawyer at February 20, 2008 11:04 AM in response to Wednesday Events

11:56 is comparing apples and oranges. I don't see what's immoral about parking permits. Preventing people from coming into neighborhoods based on race is clearly immoral. I shouldn't even be responding to this. Delete!

Posted by: gothamlawyer at February 6, 2008 12:00 PM in response to Pols, DOT: Parking Permit Program For Many 'Hoods

A recent Transportation Alternatives study showed that about 50% of the traffic in Park Slope was just circling for parking spots. This program will work to reduce that amount of traffic, and will prevent even longer parking searches once the congestion pricing plan goes into effect.

Posted by: gothamlawyer at February 6, 2008 11:48 AM in response to Pols, DOT: Parking Permit Program For Many 'Hoods

FYI the Boerum Hill Association has some snazzy No Flyers signs. Contact Sue Wolfe, info at http://www.boerumhillbrooklyn.org/bha/. They're also available at Tony's Hardware on Smith.

Posted by: gothamlawyer at January 17, 2008 11:21 AM in response to Assemblywoman Millman Fights Flyer Scourge

Who's busting on Casa Rosa? They have the best gnocchi I've had in a long time. Maybe it smells funny and the wine list isn't very good but the food is great.

Posted by: gothamlawyer at December 18, 2007 2:26 PM in response to Morton’s, Other Big Chains Coming to Downtown

We have a concrete backyard and used Stone "R" Us (don't have the number at hand)(also I don't really get the name of their company) to jackhammer a portion of the concrete and build some retaining walls. I imagine they could do just a straight jackhammer job. The hard part is carrying the thousands of pounds of rubble through your house. The other hard part is what to do with the thousands of pounds of rubble after you haul it through your house.

Posted by: gothamlawyer at September 19, 2007 11:54 AM in response to jackhammering concrete garden

I think there is a misunderstanding, I am not an agent, I am a licensed real estate broker. The question is whether there is a prohibition against me representing myself as a buyer's broker and therefore, splitting the commission as well.

I am not an agent. Gothamlawyer is right that a broker/agent/attorney is never REQUIRED for a real estate transaction.

Posted by: BKed at September 2, 2009 3:37 PM in response to Co-broking for Myself

It sounds as though BKed knows the distinction between agent and broker and is confirming that s/he is a broker. Everyone who passes the licensing test is an agent and remains so for a period of time (2 years, I think) and if active during that time, must be under the guidance of a licensed broker. After that time elapses, s/he can apply for the broker's license and practice independently.

I remember from school that it's actually a hindrance to buy and sell (more so sell) as a licensed agent/broker, because you have to disclose your status and are subjected to a stricter upholding of the letter of the law. While sellers are typically expected to be ethical, it is a "buyer beware" marketplace. That is less interpretive when an agent is selling/buying.

But, the basic question is "Can I?" And I believe the answer is yes, but again, the practicality of having other agents/brokers co-broke with you is always a challenge, although maybe less so in the current market. You can also use the leverage the commission creates as a negotiation tool.

Posted by: BKRed at September 2, 2009 4:25 PM in response to Co-broking for Myself

You cannot recieve a commision if you own the building. So because you are buying the building, I am pretty sure the same law applies. You can represent yourself, but you cannot collect a commision.

Posted by: Cobblehillbaby at September 2, 2009 6:05 PM in response to Co-broking for Myself

I don't think the previous comments answered the OP's question. For some reason, it seems that people don't read well.

Anyway, you'll find the answer in this blog.

http://curbed.com/archives/2007/07/27/ask_curbed_im_out_of_the_broker_game_or_am_i.php

"ABSOLUTELY YES, A BROKER CAN CO BROKE IN A SITUATION IN WHICH HE/SHE IS PARTY TO THE TRANSACTION.

See Liuzzi v. Negro, 109 Misc2d 526 (N.Y.Sup.Ct. 1981). says that licensed real estate brokers are not prohibited from receiving commissions in transactions in which they are a party.

ANY, AND I MEAN ANY BROKER WHO TELLS YOU DIFFERENTLY IS NOT ONLY VIOLATING CODE OF ETHICS, THEY ARE VIOLATING NEW YORK LAW."

Hope this helps.

Posted by: InvestorLlew at September 2, 2009 8:38 PM in response to Co-broking for Myself

Your license is void if there is not a broker holding it for you. So unless you have a broker holding your license you can't collect any commission.

Posted by: Streetwise123 at September 2, 2009 8:41 PM in response to Co-broking for Myself

InvestorLlew, while what you say is true, if there is not an active broker holding BKed license then its not a valid license. Anyone can go to school and take the exams and pass, BUT unless BKed walked into a real estate firm and ask them to hold his/her license and they agreed to sponso them, it isnt valid, and therefore they are not an active real estate agent and are not permitted to collect commissions.

Posted by: Streetwise123 at September 2, 2009 8:48 PM in response to Co-broking for Myself

Hi Streetwise. Unless I am reading the OP incorrectly, he says "received my real estate broker's license awhile back, but never used it."

The OP, BKed, also writes further down, "I think there is a misunderstanding, I am not an agent, I am a licensed real estate broker."

So, what I am wondering is why are so many posters here thinking that BK is not a Broker but an AGENT who needs a Brokerage to hold his license? HE IS A BROKER.

Therefore, he can split the commission as a co-broke.

So, unless someone can tell me that a BROKER needs to have his license held by a Brokerage firm, BKed should be good to go to split the commission.

The only other thing would be if BK is not a full Broker but an Associate Broker. If that's the case, then he would need his license held by a Brokerage. BUT NOT IF HE IS A FULL LICENSED BROKER as he indicated TWICE.

Posted by: InvestorLlew at September 3, 2009 1:47 AM in response to Co-broking for Myself

InvestorLlew is correct, I am a broker, not an agent.

So as far as I can tell: I can co-broke my own transaction, but there may be some issues getting the seller's broker/agent to agree.

I am also confused as to the repeated assertions that I am an agent.

Thanks for the help.

Posted by: BKed at September 3, 2009 2:29 AM in response to Co-broking for Myself