Archive for February, 2016

The Top 10 Real Estate Trends in 2016

Monday, February 29th, 2016
Real estate trends

The real estate trends for 2016 are positive and exciting! Are you following them?

Real estate trends for 2016 are positive. And in my opinion, number 10 is the best trend for you!

The top 10 real estate trends of special interest to keep your eye on this year are:

  1. People Prefer 18-Hour Cities Over 24-Hour Cities
    18-hour cities such as Nashville, San Antonio, Portland, Austin and Raleigh-Durham are “the place to live” for:
  • Being hip, cool or trendy
  • Having a lower cost of living
  • How easy it is to stay connected to the city from a far distance
  • Being affordable
  1. Parents of Millennials Will Move to the Suburbs

Baby Boomers, or the Gen-Y generation, expect that in five years they will live in single-family detached homes in the suburbs. Wikipedia defines this type of home as a single-detached dwelling, single-family residence (SFR) or separate house. It is a free-standing residential building defined in opposition to a multi-family residential dwelling. Gen-Y will look for homes in suburbs with transportation options to connect them to all that big cities offer. Suburbs that connect Baby Boomers to urban center activities will continue to grow in popularity.

  1. Office Space Will Keep Shrinking

Available office space is decreasing while rent is increasing. This combination will change the average square footage for office workers. An average 253 square feet in 2000 is predicted to shrink to 138 square feet by 2020.

  1. People Will Experiment with New Housing Options

Homeownership decreased from 70 percent before the Great Recession to 63.5 percent in the spring of 2015 for all age groups. This drop in homeownership has stirred up a demand for rental housing and microhousing.

  1. Parking Lots Will Change Into Better Pieces of Real Estate

The way people get around is changing. Many are choosing not to own a car and are trending toward ride-sharing (carpooling). This trend is eliminating the need for parking lots. City developers and officials are investigating how to put parking lots to better use.

  1. More Are Investing in Infrastructure

Buildings, roads and power supplies needed for operation or enterprise in America have been crumbling for years. This has been in the news for a while now. Since the need for new mass transit, better roads and highways and improved aircraft and rail transport facilities has not been met yet, interest in new infrastructure funding, public-private partnerships and real estate investment trusts (REITs) is growing.

  1. Real estate trendsUrban Farms and Rooftop Gardens Are On the Rise

Urban farms and rooftop gardens are growing in number. There’s one called Brooklyn Grange here in New York, large urban farm operations in Detroit, and a vertical farm in Newark, New Jersey will be completed soon.

  1. The Need for Niche Lenders is Increasing

The need for lenders to lend to specialized corners of the market is increasing this year. Many developers turn to larger banks to lend them money for bigger projects that require more lead-time and more capital. But larger banks are constrained by recent regulations allowing smaller banks and community lenders to fill the gaps.

  1. S. Real Estate Capital Isn’t Slowing Down This Year

The increased volume of real estate capital for 2016 is expected to be equal to or greater than it was in 2015. The real estate landscape will change because real estate capital isn’t slowing down this year.

  1. Human Touch Is Just As Important As Ever

In spite of the reliance on computers and technology, the good old-fashioned human touch is just as important as ever. People still need and desire intuition and authenticity of real estate professionals’ personal understanding of the market.

Are you interested in and following the real estate trends for 2016? I have over 30 years of experience to help buyers find new housing options, available lenders and more. Call Charles D’Alessandro, your Brooklyn real estate agent with Fillmore Real Estate at (718) 253-9600 ext. 206 or email, [email protected] today. With a personal understanding of the market here in Brooklyn, I’ll help you find just what you’re looking for.

Love, Brooklyn and the 10 Best Places for a Slice of Pizza

Sunday, February 14th, 2016
Slice of pizza

New York-style pizza lovers can find the best slice of pizza right in Brooklyn!

 “Love and marriage, love and marriage
Go together like a horse and carriage
This I tell you brother
You can’t have one without the other …”

New York and pizza kind of go together like love and marriage, horse and carriage! New York is known for its superb New York-style pizza and our many unique places to buy it by the slice. But guess what, pizza lovers? You don’t need to go beyond our Brooklyn city limits for an exceptional slice of pizza!

If you love pizza and you’re lookin’ for love, visit one of the following 10 best places for a slice of pizza in Brooklyn:

Best Pizza

33 Havemeyer Street

Brooklyn, NY  11211

(718) 599-2210

best.piz.za.com

Best Pizza is a casual counter-service pizzeria from the Roberta’s team offering brick-oven pies & slices. Totally worth a trip wherever you live in Brooklyn.

“Though it ‘looks like your typical corner pizza shop,’ this Williamsburg joint ‘doesn’t shirk’ from its ‘bold’ name, turning out ‘quality’ brick-oven pies with ‘inventive’ toppings plus a handful of Italian subs; the ‘small, crowded’ space with paper-plate decor does the job for ‘a quick bite.’”

“Grandma pie is amazing and the place has a great atmosphere for a slice shop.”

“Definitely one of the top pizzerias in NYC. NY style, not neopolitan.”

 

J&V Pizzeria

6322 18th Ave

Brooklyn, NY 11204

(718) 331-0689

jvpizza.com

J&V Pizzeria is a warm, established joint for traditional pizzas, garlic bread, calzones & chicken rolls. Ask around about people’s favorite slices in the borough and they’ll tell you to try J&V.

“Great pizza shop on 18th Ave in Bensonhurst. Ideal location as it’s nearby the N train subway station. You can quickly stop in for a quick bite. They even have a street window to order, get, and eat your slice.

“Ample selection of pizzas but the ones that are spot on are the Grandma slice, Margherite, or even a plain slice. Great eggplant slice as well or white pizza with ample dollups of riccotta. Tasty crispy and soft pizza slice with great ingredients for toppings. Also great pies for take out. The margarite pie is thinner crust than their regular pizza but just as great. Also their signature jo jo is awesome. A chicken parm inside their pizza dough. A amped up calzone in my opinion. Definitely must order and large enough to share. Quick and affordable. Friendly neighborhood service and a mainstay in the neighborhood where you’re known by name. One of the best pizza shops in the area.”

 

Ciccio’s

207 Avenue U

Brooklyn, NY  11223

(718) 372-9695

allmenus.com

Ciccio’s adds sesame seeds to their crust. They add a nuttiness that you’ll not ever want to go without once you’ve tried their pizza.

“Best pizzeria in the neighborhood, their upside down and Sophia slice are to die for.”

“Solid Brooklyn pizza. That’s what’s up. Awesome food.”

“Greatest Pizza ever! Try a Sophia slice!”

 

Layla Jones

214 Court Street

Brooklyn, NY  11201

(718) 624-2361

laylajones.com

Layla Jones is a neighborhood storefront which serves grilled pizzas, calzones & pastas. They also deliver. Your pizza will disappear in seconds, leaving you wanting more.

“I judge a pizza place not by their crazy specialty pizzas, but by their plain pizza. Their ‘Plain Jane’ thin-crust sicilian style slices were delicious and reasonably priced for their quality. Highly recommend!”

“This may be my favorite pizza in Brooklyn. Get a Fast Eddy or a Sweet Jane with whatever you want on it.”

 

Pino’s La Forchetta

181 7th Avenue

Brooklyn, NY  11215

(718) 965-4020

pinoslaforchetta.com

Pino’s La Forchetta is a no-frills Brooklyn pizzeria.Formica booths & neon adorn this utilitarian pizza staple also serving Italian entrees & heros. If you really, really like cheese, then you’ll love a Pino’s slice. The slices are simple, delicious and filling.

“This is my favorite New York style pizzeria. Always friendly. Over the last 30 years I’ve always loved this place.”

“Favorite by-the-slice pizza in the neighborhood. Extra cheesy!”

 

Pizza Time

1324 Avenue J

Brooklyn, NY 11230

(718) 252-8801

pizzatime.com

Pizza Time is your basic local pizzeria chain offering specialty pies, plus carry-out & delivery deals. It is located a block away from everyone’s favorite pizza slice place, Di Fara. Di Fara is frequently closed. Since Pizza Time is a kosher pizzeria and serves a solid slice of pizza for less than $5 a slice, they attract their own followers.

“Kosher no meat pizza joint offering daily pasta specials. Out of the oven slices are crisp and the crust is okay. Caters to the Jewish neighborhood and the kids really hit this place hard when school let’s out. Owner and staff are fast and friendly. Stand outs at this place include the macaroni and cheese and the mac and cheese pizza. Just gotta catch it when they do it. Usually fridays. Oh and they got a white pizza that has a really great tasting ricotta. Five stars to serve m and c daily. I’d mention cash only but it’s NYC. You’ll figure it out.”

“Best pizza in Brooklyn.”

 

Not Ray’s

690 Fulton Street

New York, NY 11217

(718) 855-8206

seamless.com

Not Ray’s is a classic corner pizza shop with limited seating & a name that references a group of its competitors. It serves a slice that is sure to please both cheese-lovers and sauce-lovers. It’s liberally covered in both.

“Is this the best slice in Brooklyn? Yes. When you’re in the area and someone is ordering pizza, make sure they’re ordering it from here. If you want to make your own pizza, pick up some dough from here. For $5 you get enough for two. Oh, and the buffalo chicken pizza…great stuff.”

“My pizza came out hot and fresh from the oven. It was delicious and the employees were very friendly. I will recommend this pizzeria to friends and family.”

“Comfy spot with good pizza.”

 

L&B Spumoni Gardens

2725 86th Street

Brooklyn, NY  11223

(718) 449-1230

urbanspoon.com

L&B Spumoni Gardens is known for Sicilian square pizza & ice cream from an old-school Italian counter that opened in 1939. The L&B square slice is everything you want in a piece of pizza. It is pizza perfection.

“Check this place out…your taste buds will enjoy…save room for spumoni..!! We will be going back again to try restaurant in colder months….and mind you we drove to Brooklyn to try this from Nassau County out on the Island…”

“The best square pizza I have ever had! From the dough to the perfect balance if the sauce and cheese… This is a true Brooklyn landmark.”

 

Front Street

80 Front Street

Brooklyn, NY  11201

(718) 875-3700

urbanspoon.com

Front Street serves slices, heros and calzones which make this corner pizza joint a popular option for takeout. Their slices are great and their sauce is a solid, savory and sweet marinara. Nearby Grimaldi’s and Juliana’s long lines and pricey menu items make Front Street the winner in the battle of the DUMBO slices.

“Even though it’s pretty much just a simple slice place, I think they do the slices really well. The cheese is very gooey and the sauce is just sweet enough with a chewy crust. Mmmm. It can be a little hard to navigate the service line on your first trip, but once you get the hang of it you can be in and out pretty quickly. Their Italian subs are also really quite good and ginormous.”

“Pizza! NY Pizza!

This is my go-to spot and always will be.

For the price, the food is great. They offer delivery but eating in always tastes the best. The crust is not the thick and has a slight crunch. The sauce is on spot and the cheese/toppings…mmmm. The slices are really big too. You won’t need more food after this place. They’ve got a variety of other things to try if you get tired of pizza, but I never got tired of their pizza.

All their regular/specialty pizzas are delicious.

If you can’t spend a fortune on Juliana’s pizza, go here! It’s not perfect but you will not be disappointed.”

 

Smiling Pizza

323 7th Avenue

Brooklyn, NY  11215

(718) 788-2137

urbanspoon.com

Smiling Pizza is a simple parlor offering brick-oven pizzas, basic Italian dishes & hero sandwiches. Their pizza slices are greasy and cheesy, cheap and satisfying, and perfect. Sir Patrick Stewart loves their pizza by the slice!

“This has been around for years. They are right next to the F train stop on 7th Ave. They make pretty good pizza and spinach rolls. I love the plain slices and spinach roll which is well made and fresh. The staff is old school New York attitude which is great for a pizza place.”

Slice of pizzaWere you thinking about pizza on National Pizza Day, February 9th? Will you indulge your love of pizza on Valentine’s Day, February 14th? If not, no worries. National Pizza With Everything (Except Anchovies) Day is coming on Saturday, November 12th.

Moving to Brooklyn? I am your local expert! I know Brooklyn inside and out with over 30 years of experience. Call Charles D’Alessandro, your Brooklyn real estate agent with Fillmore Real Estate at (718) 253-9600 ext. 206 or email, [email protected] today. I’ll help you find the perfect home. Then we’ll celebrate with a slice of pizza to welcome you to the buroughs.