howrealnyc's Profile
- Howard Witz
- 1963
- 2006
- Brooklyn
- House
- Real Estate Associate Broker
- Male
- 43
Author's Posts
September 20, 2007
Real Estate Broker/Agent Solicitations
I have a question (or 2) for all the homeowners in BROWNSTONER-land.
1- Do you still receive mailings from brokers/agents asking if you're thinking of selling your home?
2- If so, do you recive mailings from only the LARGER or SMALLER brokers?
3- Have any of you ever listed with one of these agents?
The reason I'm asking is that I used to send out 1000 or so pieces per month and got reasonable results. Lately (last 1-2 years) I get VERY little response.
Just wondering how people choose a realtor these days!
Author's Comments
Just because prices might go DOWN a bit (3-8%) doesnt mean that it is GOOD for you.
What if the INTEREST rates go UP 1-3%. If you do a side by side comparison, it might go either way, depending on the numbers.
I'd rather pay 20-50K more and get a good interest rate on my mortgage.
GO FOR IT if you can.. you will be THAT much closer to paying off your mortgage before you retire, etc.!
Good Luck!
Howard
Posted by: howrealnyc at September 12, 2007 3:26 PM in response to Buy or wait?
PLG... 84 Fenimore Just Closed $789,000
Same type of house.. pics look the same too!
Needed work, but great bones.. passed inspection!
Howard
Posted by: howrealnyc at September 17, 2007 4:34 PM in response to House of the Day: 190 Lincoln Road
My friend STEVEN RUBEL is a real estate attorney with major expertise in title matters. Office 516-678-1800. Tell him Howard referred you!
Good Luck
Posted by: howrealnyc at September 24, 2007 11:55 PM in response to Please help me understand these title documents
I'm a Brooklyn MLS agent with access to REALIST (A Very Good public records program)
Anyone may simply email me or call me and I'd be happy to look it up.
Sales prices are public records. Just sometimes the record providers do not have ALL the data.
Howard Witz
howard@communityhomesales.com
Posted by: howrealnyc at October 1, 2007 1:40 PM in response to How to find out what was previously paid on a place?
Jeff COhen - BORO FUEL
718-854-7500
Howard
Posted by: howrealnyc at October 1, 2007 2:38 PM in response to New Home Owner - Need Oil
<--- Agent
NOT all brokers lie... (most can :)
The buyer should remember that the agent works for the seller, not the buyer. Asking the broker such a question leaves them open to either a false answer, or NO answer, which IS the correct answer. The agent does NOT have to disclose the amount of any offer, or the EXISTANCE of any offer. It could affect the sellers negotiation position.
The proper answer might be something like, "We are not allowed to discuss that with buyers, I hope you understand."
However, in reality, EVERYONE lies. The broker might lie, but the sellers lie, buyers lie, who DOESN't lie??
I really try not to "LIE", but if a buyer asked me at an open house if there are any offers, I could put a positive spin on ANY answer without lying. If there ARE offers, I could say that there are, and all offers will be considered only AFTER the open house... make YOUR offer now. If I had NO offers yet, openly lying that there WERE offers would be wrong. I am better off dodging the question than lying. TRUST is paramount.
But as a previous poster stated, you ASKED for it by asking.
Howard
howard@communityhomesales.com
Posted by: howrealnyc at October 3, 2007 7:22 PM in response to Putting in an offer
PS...
Also, sometimes the agent discloses that there are other offers because they are NOT his/her offers, but from another agent. The agent simply wants to BEAT the other agent to the deal.
Also, if you are with another agent and want to make an offer, the listing agent (who wants BOTH ends of the deal) might exagerate the amount of the first offer to make you back off.
There are many possibilities to how or why an agent would lie in that instance, but it is usually greed on the part of the agent.
Howard
Posted by: howrealnyc at October 3, 2007 7:26 PM in response to Putting in an offer
<--- Agent
Depending on WHERE you wish to live in Brooklyn, the Multiple Listing Service has a great public display area.
Go to www.bnymls.com
(Brooklyn New York Multiple Listing Service)
There isn't much inventory in BROWNSTONER-LAND, but there are some nice listings in Bed Stuy, Crown Heights, Flatbush etc, as well as MOST other areas in Brooklyn. My 107 St James Place listing was there, and there are many others. Also, we had 84 Fenimore (PLG)..etc,.
I laugh when I read posts here that say there is NO MLS in Brooklyn. The MLS has over 450 brokers and 4000 agents.
Bay Ridge & Bensonhurst has their OWN MLS, www.BrooklynMLS.com
Just because the "big guys" will not join, doesn't mean we don't exist!!
Email me if you have any questions,
Howard
howard@communityhomesales.com
Posted by: howrealnyc at October 3, 2007 11:21 PM in response to What's the best source for Brooklyn listings?
The MLS access website encourages you to contact the listing agent, however I agree that there shoudl be MUCH MORE info on each house.
I will pass along your thoughts to IT dept!
Howard
Posted by: howrealnyc at October 4, 2007 2:29 PM in response to What's the best source for Brooklyn listings?
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
Go to Home Depot and buy this for $30:
Works like a charm.
Posted by: guest at June 4, 2008 4:00 PM in response to Bklyn Plumber to Snake a Drain?
It really all depends on what kind of clog you have. Some years ago, I had a clogged sink drain and asked a friend of mine, a plumber's assistant to come and clear it for me. After his chemical treatment and manual snaking proved unsuccesful, my drain was even more clogged; he gave up and advised me to call in a plumber. The plumber showed up with an electric hydraulic snake -- which failed as well. He called for his boss. The boss arrives and determines that its time to completely remove the drain pipe and replace it. Explanation offered to me was that, after 100 years of grease and debris going down the drain and compacting, the pipe could not be saved. (Yes, I was shown the compacted pipe). Charge to me for repair? $1500! And that didn't even include the cost of tile repair! I suspect I may have been taken for a ride. But, ever since then, I have taken great care not to pour cooking grease down my drains and I will never simply dismiss a clogged drain problem -- especially in this old house.
Posted by: guest at June 4, 2008 4:26 PM in response to Bklyn Plumber to Snake a Drain?
Call Rich at 347-760-8623, he's efficient and inexpensive.
Posted by: guest at June 4, 2008 4:26 PM in response to Bklyn Plumber to Snake a Drain?
I've used these guys multiple times and they are great: http://www.a4995.com/ I was skeptical at first thinking they would try to tack on a bunch of fees, etc. but any upselling was minimal. They will come and put a snake down your drain for $50. After tax and a fuel surcharge (kind of BS but whatever) it comes to $60. There's a 10% off coupon on their website.
from what I understand it is the same price 24 hrs a day, no after hours charges but you can ask when you call.
Also, don't try a plunger if you have standing water and you've used drano, it can splash up and seriously hurt you.
Posted by: guest at June 4, 2008 4:52 PM in response to Bklyn Plumber to Snake a Drain?
"He's very straight and I think he'll do me well."
I'm straight and if you're hot I'll also do you well. Just post a phone number...
Posted by: guest at June 4, 2008 5:02 PM in response to Need attny recs for a short sale
before hiring a plumber, go out and buy a $15 manual snake and try it yourself. It's easy and kinda fun and the snake is good to have around.
Posted by: guest at June 4, 2008 8:40 PM in response to Bklyn Plumber to Snake a Drain?
I second trying the manual snake. A $25 one from the hardware store works on tubs, sinks, etc.
In a different direction - what type of drain "plug" do you have? We had one bathtub that we could not unblock with snakes, drano, etc, and it turned out that it was the plug. It was one of those ones with the up/down lever about 12 inches above the drain. When I pulled it out, the tub drained fine. Turned out that the mechanism had lowered over time - adjusting it back up (which just involved twisting it a few times) fixed the problem.
We used Python for snaking out a blocked sewer main across the basement to the street. It involved working in a (nasty) flooded area and I was very happy with their service. The price was around the ones quoted above.
Posted by: Heatherie at June 5, 2008 9:13 AM in response to Bklyn Plumber to Snake a Drain?
A really great resource for learning short sales can be found at http://www.shortsaleway.com/short-sale-package.html. You don't need an attorney, they typically don't know the process either.
Jonathan Christopher of Short Sale Way
Posted by: guest at June 5, 2008 11:17 AM in response to Need attny recs for a short sale
UPDATE:
Just had Roto Rooter come in for a free estimate. They said $375 to snake it, I told them that I had another quote of $185 + tax to do it...so the guy said that he would do it for $190 on the spot. I had him do it.
Thanks for all the information!
Posted by: Ann123 at June 5, 2008 12:38 PM in response to Bklyn Plumber to Snake a Drain?
"You don't need an attorney, they typically don't know the process either.
Jonathan Christopher of Short Sale Way"
Sir.. when you are at risk of losing your home... it IS time to speak with an attorney, just not one who wants to steal your home also! Lots of sharks in those waters.
Howard
Posted by: howrealnyc at June 5, 2008 11:06 PM in response to Need attny recs for a short sale
As a broker, I think getting them on the market NOW would be wise. Listing the homes does not OBLIGATE you to sell the homes. This might be a good time to let an agent get the marketing started, and get some offers on the table. I also agree that there will be some slight reduction in values, but you will still get the best prices now. Who knows what will happen to interest rates in the coming months, and a change in rates will have a pos/neg effect on the value of each home, depending on which way rates go.
In any event, best wishes,
HOWARD
Posted by: howrealnyc at September 10, 2007 3:40 PM in response to When to sell???