Monday, March 29, 2010
Happy Passover
To everyone who celebrates Passover, good seders and let's celebrate the freedom in our lives. And work on creating more freedom for all the world. A sweet Passover to all.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Happy Saint Patrick's Day and Spring is in the air
To all my friends of Irish background, a very Happy Saint Patrick's Day. And you could not ask for a nicer day.
After the weekend monsoon, and a pretty difficult winter, it is great to feel the warmth of the sun, and to feel the coming of Spring. It's a great time of year, a time for new beginnings. And a great time to find a new place to live, or to sell your house or apartment.
Enjoy the weather and call me or e-mail me if you need assistance selling or buying.
After the weekend monsoon, and a pretty difficult winter, it is great to feel the warmth of the sun, and to feel the coming of Spring. It's a great time of year, a time for new beginnings. And a great time to find a new place to live, or to sell your house or apartment.
Enjoy the weather and call me or e-mail me if you need assistance selling or buying.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Bob
I thought I should share my thoughts and tell the story of Bob, my beloved beagle, who left this earth on February 19, 2010. My heart still throbs for him-he lives there forever.
In the summer of 1996, I lost three friends to AIDS in four months. I was still recovering from the loss of my best friend George who had died a year and a half before. I moved to an apartment on Garfield Place in Park Slope so I could have a dog.
A couple who lived on Eighth Avenue called to me to see if I could board their dog while they were at a wedding in San Diego. They had just taken in Bob, and had another dog as well. Bob had been badly abused-they were his third owners. The second owner, a woman who lived in Carroll Gardens brought him to Prospect Park for adoption. She could not handle him. From what I could ascertain, the first family did not know to handle him, and he was beaten. After the second owner had him, she lost control of the leash and he ended being caught in a bush near the entrance to the Brooklyn Queens Expressway and lived there for a week. Emaciated, friends of the first owners recognized him. (I was told he was called PJ) and returned him to first family who re-united him with the second owner. She nursed him back to health and found a new home for him.
I had to make a few visits to meet Bob to see if I could board him as he was particularly frightened of men. By the second visit, he seemed comfortable enough, though when he walked he would keep turning his head, as if someone was going to beat him. It was painful to watch.
He showed up at my apartment on Garfield Place and I began taking care of him. He was not completely housebroken and it was a bit of a task. On the second day I had him, he came into the bathroom and licked my feet while I was shaving. The next day I dropped off laundry at the laundromat on the corner, carrying the laundry and holding Bob's lease in the other hand. After I put down the bag of laundry, I lost control of the leash and he darted out of the laundromat.
It was beginning to rain and I panicked, running up the street, calling him name. What was I to tell the owners? That I lost their dog? As I approached my house, there he was, waiting for me. He had always been waiting for me.
I knew we were meant to be together. When I walked him, neighbors and friends said, "that's your dog." When the couple returned from the wedding a week later, they called me in the evening. "How is Bob?" they asked. I told them he was very good and that I wanted to keep him. We slept on it that night and spoke in the morning. It was one of the hardest nights of my life. They asked me the next morning if I still felt the same way and I said I did. We agreed that he would be mine.
It was hard at first-he was peeing in the house and it often took forever to get him to do all his business. But I did what needed to be done. Most mornings were spent in Prospect Park where he loved to run off leash and run he could. Like no dog you have ever seen. He had his friends whom he loved, many of whom he is with now as they left as well. Bailey, Fred, Tricky, Daisy, Barney and the list goes on and on.
Although he did not like riding in the car, he loved running on the beach in Provincetown. I would split the trip into two legs, finding a dog friendly motel in Connecticut and getting up early the next day to drive into Provincetown. The back cottage at the Clarendon House was our second home. Dale, the proprietor loved Bob and defended his howling when I would leave him in the cottage alone. Though he was not supposed to be in the main house, Dale would let him join the other guests for breakfast, which I might add, remain some of the best breakfasts I have ever eaten.
The summer I dated Leonard, he was also a hit on Fire Island, where he was awarded prizes at the post summer get-together. Bob was a lovable dog who loved people and other dogs, despite his troubled beginnings. He remains an inspiration for me and always will.
He lived with arthritis most of his life-beagles are susceptible and I believe he came from a puppy mill. I had many scares, once bringing him to the Animal Medical Center in Manhattan for treatment. But he persevered and loved running in Owl's Head Park near my apartment in Bay Ridge.
The last three plus weeks of his life were hard. I woke on a Tuesday morning to discover he was breathing very heavily and could not walk. I carried him to the car and the vet and he was very distressed. My vet, Julie Morris, brought him back to life and we had a few good weeks. For that I am grateful. It was hard to let go but he was not eating and could not walk and it was time. I miss him so much-he was the kindest being I have ever known.
I sit here in my home office, writing and crying-he is no longer sitting on my bed with me. He was such a joy to have here-he slept next to me for nearly fourteen years. He leaves many friends, especially his Aunts Jeannie and Sofia, who took good care of him in my absence. My heart aches and I know he is in a better place. I will miss him forever.
In the summer of 1996, I lost three friends to AIDS in four months. I was still recovering from the loss of my best friend George who had died a year and a half before. I moved to an apartment on Garfield Place in Park Slope so I could have a dog.
A couple who lived on Eighth Avenue called to me to see if I could board their dog while they were at a wedding in San Diego. They had just taken in Bob, and had another dog as well. Bob had been badly abused-they were his third owners. The second owner, a woman who lived in Carroll Gardens brought him to Prospect Park for adoption. She could not handle him. From what I could ascertain, the first family did not know to handle him, and he was beaten. After the second owner had him, she lost control of the leash and he ended being caught in a bush near the entrance to the Brooklyn Queens Expressway and lived there for a week. Emaciated, friends of the first owners recognized him. (I was told he was called PJ) and returned him to first family who re-united him with the second owner. She nursed him back to health and found a new home for him.
I had to make a few visits to meet Bob to see if I could board him as he was particularly frightened of men. By the second visit, he seemed comfortable enough, though when he walked he would keep turning his head, as if someone was going to beat him. It was painful to watch.
He showed up at my apartment on Garfield Place and I began taking care of him. He was not completely housebroken and it was a bit of a task. On the second day I had him, he came into the bathroom and licked my feet while I was shaving. The next day I dropped off laundry at the laundromat on the corner, carrying the laundry and holding Bob's lease in the other hand. After I put down the bag of laundry, I lost control of the leash and he darted out of the laundromat.
It was beginning to rain and I panicked, running up the street, calling him name. What was I to tell the owners? That I lost their dog? As I approached my house, there he was, waiting for me. He had always been waiting for me.
I knew we were meant to be together. When I walked him, neighbors and friends said, "that's your dog." When the couple returned from the wedding a week later, they called me in the evening. "How is Bob?" they asked. I told them he was very good and that I wanted to keep him. We slept on it that night and spoke in the morning. It was one of the hardest nights of my life. They asked me the next morning if I still felt the same way and I said I did. We agreed that he would be mine.
It was hard at first-he was peeing in the house and it often took forever to get him to do all his business. But I did what needed to be done. Most mornings were spent in Prospect Park where he loved to run off leash and run he could. Like no dog you have ever seen. He had his friends whom he loved, many of whom he is with now as they left as well. Bailey, Fred, Tricky, Daisy, Barney and the list goes on and on.
Although he did not like riding in the car, he loved running on the beach in Provincetown. I would split the trip into two legs, finding a dog friendly motel in Connecticut and getting up early the next day to drive into Provincetown. The back cottage at the Clarendon House was our second home. Dale, the proprietor loved Bob and defended his howling when I would leave him in the cottage alone. Though he was not supposed to be in the main house, Dale would let him join the other guests for breakfast, which I might add, remain some of the best breakfasts I have ever eaten.
The summer I dated Leonard, he was also a hit on Fire Island, where he was awarded prizes at the post summer get-together. Bob was a lovable dog who loved people and other dogs, despite his troubled beginnings. He remains an inspiration for me and always will.
He lived with arthritis most of his life-beagles are susceptible and I believe he came from a puppy mill. I had many scares, once bringing him to the Animal Medical Center in Manhattan for treatment. But he persevered and loved running in Owl's Head Park near my apartment in Bay Ridge.
The last three plus weeks of his life were hard. I woke on a Tuesday morning to discover he was breathing very heavily and could not walk. I carried him to the car and the vet and he was very distressed. My vet, Julie Morris, brought him back to life and we had a few good weeks. For that I am grateful. It was hard to let go but he was not eating and could not walk and it was time. I miss him so much-he was the kindest being I have ever known.
I sit here in my home office, writing and crying-he is no longer sitting on my bed with me. He was such a joy to have here-he slept next to me for nearly fourteen years. He leaves many friends, especially his Aunts Jeannie and Sofia, who took good care of him in my absence. My heart aches and I know he is in a better place. I will miss him forever.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
To Be Honored
Last night was the annual Prudential Douglas Elliman Awards ceremony at Cipriani's on 42nd Street. It is usually a lovely event and last night was no exception.
When I arrived to check in, I was told to sit in the "Reserved" section, which meant I was getting an award. This was all news to me and I really did not know what I would be awarded for.
The program began with a summation of 2009 and a look ahead by the two principals of PDE, Howard Lorber and Dotty Herman. They do a good job playing off each other, I think. They were upbeat, talking about changes coming down the pike, how we are positioning ourselves as a company to provide even better service to buyers and sellers.
Then the Awards portion began, and I was called to the stage as I was one of the top ten individuals in the company for number of transactions, number eight in fact, in all of Manhattan and Brooklyn. It was a great honor to be so recognized, to be on stage with the leading agents and teams at Prudential Douglas Elliman.
I am so thankful I chose to work at Prudential Douglas Elliman, to work with my colleagues in the Park Slope office and with Michael Guerra, my manager. Thanks to Justine Sealey, my incredible office manager and Hadit Sanchez, who is the office manager in Brooklyn Heights.
Who knows? Maybe number 5 next year?
When I arrived to check in, I was told to sit in the "Reserved" section, which meant I was getting an award. This was all news to me and I really did not know what I would be awarded for.
The program began with a summation of 2009 and a look ahead by the two principals of PDE, Howard Lorber and Dotty Herman. They do a good job playing off each other, I think. They were upbeat, talking about changes coming down the pike, how we are positioning ourselves as a company to provide even better service to buyers and sellers.
Then the Awards portion began, and I was called to the stage as I was one of the top ten individuals in the company for number of transactions, number eight in fact, in all of Manhattan and Brooklyn. It was a great honor to be so recognized, to be on stage with the leading agents and teams at Prudential Douglas Elliman.
I am so thankful I chose to work at Prudential Douglas Elliman, to work with my colleagues in the Park Slope office and with Michael Guerra, my manager. Thanks to Justine Sealey, my incredible office manager and Hadit Sanchez, who is the office manager in Brooklyn Heights.
Who knows? Maybe number 5 next year?
Is that a "White" neighborhood?
Last time I looked at the calendar it was 2010. We have an African-American President and I live in New York City. So I was astonished to have a potential buyer ask me if a listing I had, was in a "White" neighborhood?
I first asked the buyer to repeat the question as I thought I maybe misunderstood. But he repeated the question again as asked.
I responded that I could not answer that question and that he should not ask it. I found it a bit jarring, to say the least. When I did rentals almost a decade ago, I did have landlords ask me the ethnic background of a potential lessee on some occasions. I responded that I could not answer that question. I would inform my broker and we would not show the apartment (to her credit.)
I think we continue to grow as a City and a nation, learning more about each other as years pass. We are an amazingly diverse City and one of things that I cherish about New York and Brooklyn. Let's hope this process continues for most of us.
I first asked the buyer to repeat the question as I thought I maybe misunderstood. But he repeated the question again as asked.
I responded that I could not answer that question and that he should not ask it. I found it a bit jarring, to say the least. When I did rentals almost a decade ago, I did have landlords ask me the ethnic background of a potential lessee on some occasions. I responded that I could not answer that question. I would inform my broker and we would not show the apartment (to her credit.)
I think we continue to grow as a City and a nation, learning more about each other as years pass. We are an amazingly diverse City and one of things that I cherish about New York and Brooklyn. Let's hope this process continues for most of us.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
The Art of Negotiation
The key to buying a property is often the negotiating process. Whether you are the seller or the buyer, it is helpful to have realistic expectations and know how to be thoughtful about the process. Every buyer and seller is different. It is considered a given that the buyer wants to get the lowest price possible and the seller, the highest, but the process is never as simple as that.
The seller should be interested in the "best" offer, that may or may not be the highest price. Many factors are involved: whether the buyer needs to sell something to buy, how much the buyer can put down, and in a coop situation, what are the buyer's assets after the downpayment. A smart seller goes through this process carefully with their broker. Many years ago I sold an apartment in Park Slope, where the previous broker had failed to go over the financials of his buyer. It was a relatively tough coop board and the buyer was turned down and the sellers lost a downpayment on a house. A very costly proposition. I vetted the next buyer carefully, coached him for the interview and the sale went well. Given a somewhat more difficult financing environment, these issues have become more important. A good broker advises his seller well and does his or her homework on the prospective buyer.
My advice for buyers is don't be too rigid. Yes, you want the best price, but with interest rates very low a small difference in the purchase price will not affect your wallet that adversely. If you find the home you want, be it a coop, condo or house, be willing to step up and do what you need to, as long it makes financial sense.
A good broker will guide the buyer and the seller through the process carefully, providing as much information as possible. Getting the best information possible makes the buyer and seller able to make good decisions. Make sure you work with a broker who is responsive and thoughtful.
The seller should be interested in the "best" offer, that may or may not be the highest price. Many factors are involved: whether the buyer needs to sell something to buy, how much the buyer can put down, and in a coop situation, what are the buyer's assets after the downpayment. A smart seller goes through this process carefully with their broker. Many years ago I sold an apartment in Park Slope, where the previous broker had failed to go over the financials of his buyer. It was a relatively tough coop board and the buyer was turned down and the sellers lost a downpayment on a house. A very costly proposition. I vetted the next buyer carefully, coached him for the interview and the sale went well. Given a somewhat more difficult financing environment, these issues have become more important. A good broker advises his seller well and does his or her homework on the prospective buyer.
My advice for buyers is don't be too rigid. Yes, you want the best price, but with interest rates very low a small difference in the purchase price will not affect your wallet that adversely. If you find the home you want, be it a coop, condo or house, be willing to step up and do what you need to, as long it makes financial sense.
A good broker will guide the buyer and the seller through the process carefully, providing as much information as possible. Getting the best information possible makes the buyer and seller able to make good decisions. Make sure you work with a broker who is responsive and thoughtful.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Know your relationships
I showed new construction yesterday, a listing I have with my colleague Bill Hendrickson in Prospect Heights. I received communication from a Broker from another REBNY firm, (Real Estate Board of New York) that his buyer wanted to see apartments at this property.
His buyer, was a very nice smart woman who liked the building. I showed them both a number of apartments. There are signs in this building and the property across the street, built by the same developer, which feature my firm, Prudential Douglas Elliman. The buyer asked me with the Broker present, whether Prudential Douglas Elliman built the buildings. I responded we did not. Then she asked if we managed the buildings, and I answered that we did not. The Broker then explained that Prudential Douglas Elliman was the exclusive agent to sell the apartments in both buildings.
As I was leaving the building, I heard the buyer questioning the Broker if he would get paid if he sold the apartment to her.
If you are working with a Broker as a buyer, he or she has certain responsibilities to you, though it also depends on whether his or her firm has the listing. These relationships can be complicated and a good Broker will guide you through the process. Again, if you are a buyer, try to be clear what relationship you have to your Broker and what responsibilities he or she has to you as a buyer.
Buying real estate in New York City is more complicated than most other places in the United States. Try to be clear if you are working with a Broker as a buyer, what that relationship is.
His buyer, was a very nice smart woman who liked the building. I showed them both a number of apartments. There are signs in this building and the property across the street, built by the same developer, which feature my firm, Prudential Douglas Elliman. The buyer asked me with the Broker present, whether Prudential Douglas Elliman built the buildings. I responded we did not. Then she asked if we managed the buildings, and I answered that we did not. The Broker then explained that Prudential Douglas Elliman was the exclusive agent to sell the apartments in both buildings.
As I was leaving the building, I heard the buyer questioning the Broker if he would get paid if he sold the apartment to her.
If you are working with a Broker as a buyer, he or she has certain responsibilities to you, though it also depends on whether his or her firm has the listing. These relationships can be complicated and a good Broker will guide you through the process. Again, if you are a buyer, try to be clear what relationship you have to your Broker and what responsibilities he or she has to you as a buyer.
Buying real estate in New York City is more complicated than most other places in the United States. Try to be clear if you are working with a Broker as a buyer, what that relationship is.
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