We sold our place FSBO (this was 2 years ago, so a slightly different market). I would recommend going it on your own first (if you're okay showing the place, talking to potential buyers, etc.) and then working with a broker if it isn't moving. I found that there were many benefits to NOT having a broker. When buyer's brokers approached, I would tell them I am not paying a commission and that if I change my mind I would get in touch. You may wish to contact brokers BEFORE you sell so you can get their assessment (we told the brokers who came that we plan to FSBO, at least for the first few weeks). As long as you are upfront with them, you can still get some good advice, and possibly, be convinced their services would be worth it to you. But, I would not work with brokers until I've done a few open houses to see how much traffic/interest existed. NYTimes & Craigslist were MORE than enough as far as advertising. Good luck!

Posted by: slope2009 at October 10, 2009 9:36 PM in response to FSBO Ground Rules

Is this building in the North Slope by any chance?

Posted by: slope2009 at September 2, 2009 8:55 PM in response to Bed Bug Dilemma

I would tell the agent to also look for compensation from his clients directly -- and/or tell the buyers that you are doing FSBO and thus are not working with brokers. Are they first-time buyers? Why wouldn't they just present an offer directly? We FSBO a few years ago and several brokers approached us and we made it really clear that we were not interested in paying a commission of any kind. Then again, that was in 2006, so it's a different era now.

Posted by: slope2009 at September 1, 2009 7:08 PM in response to FSBO - Dealing with Buyer Broker

My concern in the past (and maybe someone can tell me I'm wrong) in sticking to one broker is that it would make my offer less appealing to the listing agent if they then have to split their commission with my broker. (In other words, if they have my offer and another offer, and all else is equal, that they would go with the offer where they don't have to split the commission.) Am I wrong in thinking this way?

Posted by: slope2009 at August 31, 2009 11:06 AM in response to Brokers Useful when Buying?

I sold FSBO, but 5 years ago, so it was a different market and I had no problem getting offers without allowing buyers brokers to be a part of things. But if I did allow it, I would still want to be there. Are you also going to pay the buyers broker their commission?

Posted by: slope2009 at August 11, 2009 9:12 AM in response to FSBO showings

You also aren't terribly far from the Y on 9th street -- if you are also a member of the food coop (or have affiliation with some others), you can get a discount.

Also, there's Slope Fitness on Union right off of 7th, which may be the closest geographically, but I don't know how cheap they are.

Posted by: slope2009 at August 3, 2009 3:27 PM in response to Park Slope Gyms

Sorry -- realized what the conflict of interest was that our inspector referred to.
Not ballparking estimates, BUT recommending someone to actually do whatever the work required.

Posted by: slope2009 at July 6, 2009 6:10 PM in response to inspection process

when we bought a coop, our inspector would not provide estimates either. he said it would be a conflict of interest for inspectors to also provide a real estimate. He actually found an electrical issue during inspection that we then worked out with the sellers (but electricians came to provide estimates separately).

Posted by: slope2009 at July 6, 2009 3:31 PM in response to inspection process

could you negotiate with the landlord to reduce the rent by something to compensate for the storage space you would have to rent? We had a similar thing happen, btw, with a broker telling us one thing and clearly misrepresenting things (about pet policy), but we double-checked during the lease signing and the landlord was cool about accommodating it. Broker clearly "fudged" the truth and was probably hoping it just wouldn't come up until after lease was signed/his check was in his hands. It all worked out for us, and probably will in your case, but it's annoying, esp. when broker's fees are so high. Good luck!

Posted by: slope2009 at June 28, 2009 12:00 PM in response to Real estate agent/misrep?

Sorry my post was confusing-- I meant to say those on 4th Ave. (like the Novo, the Crest) and those between 4th & 5th ave. (like the Elan on 1st street).

Posted by: slope2009 at June 25, 2009 7:40 PM in response to New condo?

I'm sad to see them go. The owners were really nice.

Posted by: slope2009 at June 18, 2009 2:28 PM in response to Streetlevel: Knotting Slope Closes

I think I've seen foreign newspapers at the newsstand on 7th Ave. between Union & President. Not sure, but may be worth checking!

Posted by: slope2009 at June 15, 2009 11:15 AM in response to foreign language newspapers

Actually, from what I understand, such molds are technically classified as toxic, so I would not brush away the health concerns.

Posted by: slope2009 at June 12, 2009 1:58 PM in response to More on Mold....

The fact that the mold they found is toxic would be a big problem for me, especially if an infant is involved. Did you test other parts of the house (air test or sample)?

It would also really concern me that they tried to cover it up. What does your lawyer say? Did the mold inspector identify where the mold was located (is it just one wall)? Would the sellers be willing to fix and decontaminate, or reimburse you for it? What's worse is that if the source of the moisture that led to the mold is not addressed, it will come back.

Posted by: slope2009 at June 12, 2009 11:49 AM in response to More on Mold....

Thanks for all of the advice!

Posted by: slope2009 at June 12, 2009 9:46 AM in response to State of Market?

Do you have Rick Perry's contact info?

Posted by: indynycems at July 6, 2009 7:13 PM in response to inspection process

Yes we used Heimer - I had a great experience with them and since we were doing a gut reno they were pretty on point with their estimates. Good luck

Posted by: staceys at July 8, 2009 11:05 AM in response to inspection process

I go to the NYSC on 9th Street and 5th Avenue and it's $72 a month. The great part is that if you will be working in Manhattan, you can use any of their locations there as well if you want to go after or before work.

And the NYSC in Park Slope is the nicest one of the chain I've seen...very well maintained...

Posted by: 11217 at August 3, 2009 5:58 PM in response to Park Slope Gyms

You will be 4 blocks from slope gym on 7th and union. Also, there is a crunch on flatbush and 7th.

Posted by: SJ at August 4, 2009 4:27 PM in response to Park Slope Gyms

Sounds fishy to me. Probably not a real buyer's broker at all, just a regular broker angling for a commission. Post on your ad: "No brokers please!"

Posted by: mopar at August 11, 2009 10:45 PM in response to FSBO showings

I have found brokers in NYC to be unhelpful. They push and they pressure and they don't listen. There are probably good, honest, helpful brokers out there, the trick is to find them. It isn't easy.
My least favorite thing about NYC brokers is how they will show you crap and then say: I have two other offers pending on this, you have to decide by tonight.
Whenever I hear that line, I respond: I don't like to be pressured. Then I walk.

Posted by: Minard Lafever at August 31, 2009 11:13 AM in response to Brokers Useful when Buying?

As I'm looking for a new home, I've found that brokers are not a good use or my time. They recommend things that I have already seen on the net, but they refuse to give me all the info that I can get on the net (i.e. all the photos and perhaps the address), as they don't want me to bypass them and go directly to the primary realtor.

I think Johnny gives good advice when he tells you that, when buying, you should consider the legwork to be part of evaluating the relative worth of deals (as well as part of obtaining a good sense of what is available on the market), and that you should do lots of legwork yourself.

I'm skeptical about Ceze's advice that you can depend on a broker for recommendations. I've heard that brokers sometimes steer you to people with whom they have relationships, and that they're not always thinking of your your best interests.

Posted by: brownlime at August 31, 2009 12:33 PM in response to Brokers Useful when Buying?

Brokers when buying are of no value.

No matter what, they still work for the seller as you're not paying the commission.

$0.2c

Posted by: jasetheace at August 31, 2009 1:05 PM in response to Brokers Useful when Buying?

We saw some places with a broker when we were looking, found it really annoying and unhelpful. She was pushing one property in particular on us and generally pushing us about what a great time it was to rush right out and buy. We even told her there was one place in particular we really liked--listed with her agency--but while she called us several times to continue to push the apartment we had shown no interest in, she didnt bother to get in touch with us when the place we liked did a big price cut (which we noticed on our own, ended up buying the place).

I'm sure some brokers are good but if you'd just be using some broker you dont know anything about, I'd say you're just as likely to get one of the worthless variety so why bother.

Posted by: woodys at August 31, 2009 1:10 PM in response to Brokers Useful when Buying?

Once a broker showed me a property that was exactly what I was looking for but wasn't on the MLS or listed by a local agency and had no sign in front, so I would never have found it on my own.

Otherwise, they're mostly useless. I sold FSBO and would do it again unless I wanted a broker to negotiate the price for me, or I was selling or buying long distance.

Sometimes brokers can get in the way. It's easy for misunderstandings to arise when they relay information between seller and buyer

Posted by: mopar at August 31, 2009 3:48 PM in response to Brokers Useful when Buying?