Now more than ever, first-time home buyers have questions. Get insight into the buying and moving process in the time of COVID from a panel of experts — a real estate agent, lawyer, lender, insurance agent and mover — at Brownstoner’s “What First-Time Home Buyers Need to Know.”

The free webinar will take place Wednesday, May 13 at 3 p.m.

Licensed real estate broker Aroza Sanjana, owner and president of Avenue Sotheby’s International Realty, will discuss how to find a home that’s a good fit, as well as the current climate in Brooklyn real estate.

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“I think the main concern for the first-time homebuyer is where they buy a home,” she said. “Here or on Long Island, in Westchester, New Jersey, or something outside the New York City area? They’ll have to ask themselves what’s going to be important to them. I’m seeing buyers who are looking for larger places in Brooklyn, and they’re asking about access to parks that have width to them and brownstones with a separate entrance.”

Attorney Ryan Walsh of the law firm of Walsh & Gilad PLLC will talk about the process of closing in these challenging times.

“Instead of doing certified checks, we’re doing wires,” he said. “It’s delaying the funding of the closing maybe by a day, but for the most part we’re still trying to keep real estate moving.”

Mark Ehrhardt, founder of moving company Movers Not Shakers, will explain how moving companies — considered essential services — are adapting. “So we are donning masks and gloves on every move, have staggered our crews in the morning to employ social distancing practices, and we’re using a combination of commercially available sprays and wipes, as well as homeopathic versions to ensure the cleanest environment we can possibly provide,” he said.

Jeff Schneider, owner of Gotham Brokerage, will discuss insurance-related issues such as the need for proof of coverage before closing and insurance to cover renovation before move-in. “For people renovating right now, the issues are the COVID-related delays,” he said. “The extended vacancy can void standard coverage.”

Alex Evans, home mortgage consultant at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, will talk about options for financing and the latest products that are available for buyers.

Sponsors include Gotham Brokerage, Avenue Sotheby’s International Realty, the law firm of Walsh & Gilad PLLC, Movers Not Shakers and Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. 

To sign up and reserve your place, click here.

To learn about hosting and sponsorship opportunities for Brownstoner Home Events, please get in touch here.

[Photos via Avenue Sotheby’s International Realty]


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