When dealing with a purchase contract for your Brooklyn home for sale, you need to look in the actual print for a few things before you sign on the dotted line. Your real estate agent and/or lawyer will be able to point out glaring deficiencies, inconsistencies or other things not in your best interest. However, the more you know about the purchase contract yourself, the better chances you have of getting a good deal on your Brooklyn home for sale.

Here are four points to ponder in your purchase contract:

Closing Date

Sometimes a buyer may want to wait a month or two before taking over the title. You want to check the closing date against your own schedule and make sure it’s acceptable. Don’t be inflexible.  In this highly competitive real estate market, be willing to negotiate on the closing date – unless, of course, you don’t have a choice.

Remaining Property

Contracts range in terms of what fixtures and personal property will remain with the home. In a few cases, the contract entitles the buyer to everything on the property. In other cases, the contract entitles them to nothing more than attached (ceiling) light fixtures and electrical socket covers. Carefully read over what the buyer expects to remain with the home and make sure you agree.

Contingencies

The factors a buyer may want in place before the contract is finalized may be more than you’re willing to deal with. For example, the buyer may want an inspection before signing, or they may want to sell their own home. They may want the contract reviewed by their lawyer or they may still be waiting for their mortgage to be approved.

The problem with contingencies is they can drag on much longer than you expect them to. To be safe – even if you’re okay with the contingencies – set a time limit for them to be accomplished. This way, your sale won’t drag on forever without ever closing.

Expiration Date

Finally, pay attention to the expiration date of the contract. You may have eight hours or eight days to accept, reject or counter the contract. Pay attention to how long you have to consider the offer for your Brooklyn home for sale.

If you’re trying to sell your home and need a knowledge agent on your side, I can help. Call me at (718) 253-9600 ext 206 or email me at [email protected] for more information.

Don’t you just love it when the evening news finally shares some good news?  I do too!  So, I want to do my part and share some good news with you today:  Brooklyn homes and homes nationwide are becoming more affordable.   In fact, according to the National Association of REALTORS®, housing affordability is close to reaching an all-time high.

Big Benefit to Buyers

Exactly how does this benefit the buyers of Brooklyn homes?  A typical buyer can pay much less in mortgage costs for the same home, or buy a better home without increasing their monthly payment.

Reasons for Improvement

There are several reasons housing affordability is improving:

1.      Lower mortgage rates.  The primary reason Brooklyn homes are now more affordable is that we have the lowest mortgage rates in history.

2.      Declining house prices.  As with all things real estate, local markets dictate housing prices, but, overall, prices of homes have dropped across the nation.  Some markets encountered only minimal price declines while others experienced major declines.

3.      Higher wages.  You probably don’t feel like there’s been an increase in wages, but there has been a small one.  In 2009, the average wage rate rose 3 percent and is up an additional 1.2 percent so far this year.

The Bottom Line

If you’d like to buy a home, have good credit and a steady job, the real estate market has never looked more favorable.

Ready to buy a home?  Let me help you find the home of your dreams and get it at a great price.  Call Charles D’Alessandro of Fillmore Real Estate today at(718)253-9600 ext.206 or email me at [email protected]

Here are the top 10 reasons people sell their Brooklyn homes.

Selling a home is never an easy decision.  If you’ve ever wondered how most people make this decision, you’ll enjoy this top 10 list.  Here are the top 10 reasons people sell their Brooklyn homes.

1.      Death or divorce. Death and divorce can cause major changes to a family’s financial situation. Homeowners are often unable to cover the maintenance and cost of the home on a single income and are forced to sell their home.

2.School district. People move to certain neighborhoods to be in the school district. They also leave neighborhoods because the schools have changed or to be in a district that better meets their child’s needs.

3.      Job. A very common reason for selling a home is a job change. The family may need to move to a new area because of a new job. A job loss can mean the owners can no longer afford their home.

4.      Marriage. When a couple with separate homes marries, they often choose to live in one home and sell the other. Marriage can also mean a change in finances.

5.      Too much debt. Sometimes medical bills or consumer debt can become so overwhelming that homeowners have no recourse but to sell their Brooklyn homes. Homeowners may sell their homes to avoid foreclosure or bankruptcy.

6.      Need more space. Growing families need more space. A couple may discover that their cozy bungalow does not meet the needs of their small children. They may sell their home so they can upgrade.

7.      Need less space. As children move out, some owners may find they need less space. They may no longer want to be responsible for cleaning and maintaining a large home.

8.      Neighborhood. Neighborhoods change as people move in and out. What seemed like the perfect area when the owners bought their home may no longer fit their lifestyle. For this reason, people sell their Brooklyn homes.

9.      Climate. People living in the north may decide they want a break from the snow. Residents of the south sometimes want to be in a cooler climate.

10.  Home defects. Homeowners may find themselves faced with major repairs that they don’t have the time or money to fix. Selling their home and moving is sometimes a better option.

Trying to decide if you’re ready to sell?  I can help. Call me today at (718) 253-9600 ext.206 or email me at [email protected] for more information

Charles D’Alessandro

[email protected]
tel 718 253-9600
fax 718 253-9573

Brooklyn Real Estate Blog 6 Tips for Selling Your Brooklyn Home During the Holidays

Bake those Christmas goodies when selling your home in December. The scents and warmth will welcome and entice potential buyers during the holidays.

Selling a home is a stressful experience for most people. And selling your home during the holidays doesn’t make it any less stressful. But with a little creativity offered only in December, it can be done.

6 Tips to Sell Your Brooklyn Home During the Holidays

Decorate Tastefully

Holiday decorations are beautiful and make your home look and feel inviting. Traditional decorations, when displayed tastefully throughout your home, appeal to home buyers especially. Just keep the decorations simple and uncluttered.

Bake Holiday Goodies

Go ahead! Bake your own pies this year. You’ll get your Christmas goodies ready and fill your house with the welcoming scents of Christmas to entice potential buyers with, too.

Create Warmth

Keep the thermostat set at a comfortable temperature, not too warm, not too cool. Buyers won’t stay long to really look at your home if it’s cold.

Brighten It Up

Winter days are dark and gray for most of the season. Allow lots of available natural light into your home. Keep curtains open for showings during the day. Turn on lamps and other lights in your home or use automatic timers.

Share Some Holiday Spirit

It never fails. Buyers want to see your home at times that are inconvenient to you. But keep in mind, everyone is busy at this time of the year. Buying a home in December is any easier than selling a home in December, so be gracious and accommodating.

Don’t Neglect Holiday Happenings

Keep the holidays as stress-free as possible. Don’t neglect your family or obligations during the holidays. This only adds to your stress. Continue doing what comes with the holidays. Entertain, be entertained, buy and give gifts, and go to Christmas concerts and Grandmother’s house.

Selling your Brooklyn home during the holidays is possible. It can be done. Follow these tips and use this time of the year to your greatest advantage.

Are you ready to sell your home during the holidays? I’m ready to help! Call Charles D’Alessandro, your Brooklyn Real Estate Agent with Fillmore Real Estate at (718) 253-9600 ext.206 or email [email protected].

 Charles D’Alessandro

Your Brooklyn Real Estate Agent

718-253-9600 ext. 206

[email protected]

When you have a home for sale in Brooklyn or elsewhere in the nation, you have to know the competition is fierce. Many home sellers think they have all their ducks in a row when a potential buyer comes to view the house, only to have a minor, forgotten issue blow the deal.

The Outside of Your Home

Your home’s exterior is the first thing potential buyers see up close. Online, you may have images of the front yard, back yard, kitchen and other rooms, but pictures can’t do justice to your home for sale in Brooklyn.

To prepare you home for that first up-close viewing, here are 17 outside tasks:

1. Power wash your siding and windows
2. Fix broken siding
3. Give the exterior a fresh coat of paint if it needs it
4. Paint the door and trim
5. Mow the lawn
6. Trim bushes
7. Remove oil spots from the driveway
8. Pick up all tools, toys or trash in the yard
9. Remove lawn ornaments
10. Clear weeds from the walkway and driveway
11. Plant seasonal flowers
12. Rake leaves
13. Clean roof and gutters
14. Sweep the porch, walkway and driveway
15. Clean fences
16. Take photos of a garden if it comes up each spring, as well as the yard when it’s fresh and green
17. Add tasteful landscape lighting if possible

Of course, not knowing what your specific home looks like, I can’t give a complete list, but these 17 items should get you off to a good start. Don’t forget that a few fall decorations can be the added touch that gets your home for sale in Brooklyn sold to a new owner!

If you’re trying to sell your Brooklyn New York home and need more pointers, I can help. Call Charles D’Alessanndro Your Brooklyn Realtor® of Fillmore Real Estate at (718) 253-9600 ext.206 or email me at [email protected] for more information.

Thanksgiving is coming soon to Brooklyn homes near you. It may even be coming to your home, bringing friends, family, good food and happy memories. In the midst of all the activity, take time to think about what you’re thankful for this year.

The last year has been hard for hundreds of thousands of individuals and families. Some who, at the beginning of the year, had a good job, nice house they could afford, 2.5 kids – you know, living the American dream – are now trying to figure out where their next meal is coming from. Some are trying to figure out where to sleep tonight.

Many homeowners – those with Brooklyn homes and homes elsewhere across the nation – seem to think these people must have “done something” to be in their current situation. They believe that as long as they don’t “do something,” they won’t experience similar problems.

This belief is far from the truth. Not all, but most, Americans struggling today paid their bills on time, went to work every day and were just regular, responsible people. Their place of employment closed or their jobs were cut and, with hiring freezes, they couldn’t find new jobs. They could no longer afford their mortgages. The banks foreclosed. This is the true story of all too many people across the U.S.

Did they really do anything? Could they have stopped the companies from letting them go or closing? Could they have forced someone else to hire them?

As Thanksgiving draws near, I urge you to take a look at your own situation. Whether you hate or love your job, be thankful you still have one, when thousands don’t. Look around your warm, safe home and be thankful you can still afford it – even if it’s underwater and/or losing equity. You know where your next meal is coming from – even if you can’t decide whether it’s chicken or burgers tonight.

Be thankful for your Brooklyn homes, your jobs, your families and your good, full life. I know I am. This Thanksgiving, take time to let go of the cares of the world; just enjoy what you have and with whom you have to share it.

Finally, I’d love to hear what you’re especially thankful for this year, so please feel free to add your comments below. I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving for many years to come!

Charles D’Alessandro

[email protected]
tel 718 253-9600
fax 718 253-9573

Brooklyn Real Estate Blog Brooklyn Homes for Sale – Home Selling Questions Answered

Sometimes, thought provoking questions come in from readers with national or Brooklyn homes for sale. I thought I’d answer a few of the questions I’ve received recently. Maybe you have some of the same questions.

Is a mural considered a personal touch or a selling point?

This is a hard question to answer. It really depends on the mural, the room it’s in, and if it could be considered part of the décor. For instance, would a rooster painted on the wall of a country-style kitchen add or detract?

If you have a real estate agent, ask his or her opinion. If you don’t have an agent, I strongly suggest you hire one to walk through and give you suggestions.  For most Brooklyn homes for sale, the answer will be “paint over it.” However, you never really know when an image might be that extra touch that makes the room special.  So, get a professional opinion from someone who can actually go to your home and see it.

Some murals can add to the room, such as whimsical rabbit murals in a child’s bedroom. Others can severely detract from a room, such as a large mural of Elvis on the bathroom wall. Tons of people like Elvis, but I’m not so sure they’d all like an image of him in the bathroom.

On a side note, one of the good things about having an agent is that he or she just might know a really big Elvis fan who would love the home as is.

My budget is really tight. I read about home staging, but I can’t afford it. Is it absolutely necessary to sell a home?

No. Real estate agents often talk about that “extra touch.” Home staging is one of those extra touches. If your budget is severely limited, don’t break the bank to have a professional stage your home. Although I do suggest staging your home, a cheaper alternative is to borrow a book on home staging from your local library (free), or buying a book on home staging ($40 at the most). Much can be done by you once you have the right information.  Or, hire a real estate agent, like me, who is a professional stager.

I’m getting ready to put my house on the market and am trying to make sure all the repairs are done. Should I hire a home inspector before or after I do the repairs?

Hire the home inspector first. The inspection report will include an overview of needed repairs, as well as an estimate of what those repairs will cost. This way, you can better prioritize the repairs rather than using a “hit and miss” approach.

Thank you all for your questions.  I hope my answers are helpful. With Brooklyn homes for sale, the most important advice I can give is to remember that no home is exactly alike. Everything has a unique selling point and unique selling detractor. Finding out which is which can make all the difference.

Have questions of your own?  You can add them as a comment here, email them to me at [email protected] or call me at (718) 253-9600 ext.206.  I promise to answer promptly!