Open House Picks

That Summit house is WAY overpriced for the kind of updating it will need. Calling this Carroll Gardens is a stretch.

I am Barbara Corcoran and I would ask that all of you refrain from referring to me or assuming my identity.

No, I certainly am not Barbara Corcoran, though I wish I had one-tenth of her money! And if it’s true that Corcoran wouldn’t co-broke the Greene House with you, I’d advise you to report them to REBNY — as REBNY members they are REQUIRED to open all listings for co-broking within 72 hours of getting an exclusive. However, I’d be very surprised if this were true, since I know many other agents who don’t work for Corcoran but have had deals as buyer’s brokers for Greene House.

A lawyer is required for all real estate transactions in NY State, so you’ll definitiely be using one and he/she should get down into the nitty gritty of the building’s financials and physical condition, etc., as part of the due diligence.

However, your lawyer will not: spend hours and hours scouring various databases and websites looking for properties that might interest you; accompany you to open houses and sign you in with his/her contact info so that you’re not harrassed by the seller’s broker; answer whatever questions you may have about the neighborhood, schools, shopping, transportation, etc.; explain in detail the buying process from start to finish; assist you in comparing various properties (this one is a block closer to the subway, but this one is closer to the park; the maintenance on this co-op was just raised six months ago whereas this building hasn’t had an increase in five years, so expect one soon; yes, this is a beautiful kitchen, but the last apartment was $60K cheaper and you could install an even better kitchen for less than half of that difference; etc., etc.); submit your offer when you’re ready to make one, and follow up to make sure that it receives proper consideration; help you put together your board package, assuming you’re buying a co-op, including providing examples of reference letters, and making up to eight sets of collated copies; co-ordinate the walk-through on the day of the closing to make sure that the apartment is delivered in as-agreed-upon condition; and tie up any “loose ends” afterwards (What’s the super’s name? How do I submit a bill for the funds in escrow now that the escrowed repairs have been completed?). You’d have to pay a lawyer a fortune for these services (if you could find one who’d even agree to them), whereas as a buyer you pay nothing!

wait a minute, do you honestly believe that barbara corcoran spends her time posting on brownstoner. no, seriously.