The place is on 5th Ave and President Street. One block from the R train.

I am a fan of Barrio and have high hopes.

Posted by: sweet1 at November 21, 2008 6:56 PM in response to Playa Now Open For Business

The Prospect Place house has a great location if you can stick out the next ten years of building Atlantic yards …

Posted by: sweet1 at February 16, 2008 8:12 PM in response to Open House Picks

As an RE agent I am not allowed to state square feet of an apartment to a customer, which is frustrating (to be polite).
We all know size does matter. I think it helps everyone involved to discuss square feet and is a critical piece of information for so many reasons.. Seriously.

I spend a fair amount of time explaining this conundrum to customers. Some take it better than others. I find most customers understand the number of square feet is only a gauge not a rule. People are pretty smart. When pressed to answer, which I am, I always say I am estimating square feet and encourage a customer to bring a tape measure.

In terms of agents and lying about measurements... they do. Don't work with agencies or agents that employ these practices. Just say No.

Posted by: sweet1 at December 8, 2007 2:07 PM in response to Inflated square footage?

Working with RE agents and brokers is like choosing any other professional, a lawyer or doctor for example. It is the specific agent you are working with that is important.

That being said, I think working with companies who have histories of unethical practices, i.e.; Corcoran, is a bad idea. First of all consumers need to stop shopping at these agencies to send a message that we, as consumers, do not tolerate institutionalized unethical practices and the companies that support or permit that kind of behavior. Secondly, if an agent works for a company with unethical practices, how can you even begin to trust them personally? Look elsewhere.

So, research the companies as well as the agents and then request the agent you have researched at whatever company you go to. Otherwise you get thrown to whomever’s turn it is when you first contact the company. If this does happen, and you don’t like or trust the assigned agent, ask for somebody else. Remember to go with your gut, as many agents are smooth talkers.

Several of the big name companies share listings, so again it is the agent who will be your biggest asset. Then there are couple independent small shops that may have their own listings that are not shared by the big companies regularly. You may want to work with a smaller shop along with a bigger shop. But be careful of the small companies- some operate under the radar and may be harder to research… but again there are many great agents with some of these small companies too.

All this being said, my agent choices:
Charles Ruoff at Brown Harris Stevens, Park Slope office
Judith Lief at Warren Lewis Realty*, Park Slope
Paul at Coldwell Banker, Park Slope

*Broker: Marc Garstein is a real A-hole

I would avoid Corcoran, Aguayo, and Brooklyn Properties at all costs.

Posted by: sweet1 at December 1, 2007 12:06 PM in response to broker rec