There are many ominous superstitions associated with Friday the 13th. From black cats to broken mirrors, bad luck can stem from almost anywhere and many sellers like to blame it for their Brooklyn home sitting on the market for too many months.

Without casting a single spell, you can banish bad luck this month and sell your Brooklyn home fast by ensuring you’ve fixed all the pesky problems that home inspectors focus on. Below is a list of problems to address to help you turn your bad luck to good.

Electric shock – Faulty wiring, which is especially common in older houses, might spook some inspectors into suggesting that the entire electrical system needs to be replaced. Have your wiring checked and update what you can before putting your house on the market.

• Structural damage – While damage can be minor and not of immediate concern, you can be sure the inspector will point out potential long-term issues. Repair problems early, so that prospective buyers will feel at ease knowing you’ve taken the necessary precautions.
• Water and air infiltration – This is probably the easiest and most inexpensive way to avoid scaring off a buyer. Just replace the caulking around windows and doors.
• Hazards to health – If you live in an older house that contains asbestos or lead-based paint, before you put your house on the market, determine if these are a direct health hazard. If so, check with your insurance provider to see if any of the renovation costs will be covered.

Be proactive and banish bad sales luck this Friday the 13th. Fix the little issues that spook property inspectors. You’ll sell your Brooklyn  house quickly and take good luck with you to your new  home.

If you could use more information on problems inspectors love to hate, please call Charles D’Alessandro of Fillmore Real Estate at (718) 253-9600 ext 206 or email me at [email protected].

Recently released figures indicate real estate nationwide and Brooklyn real estate are continuing to steadily improve. Here are seven signs that demonstrate the upturn:

Housing affordability has risen dramatically. This is due to a combination of reduced real estate prices and record-low mortgage rates.

1. Housing starts are increasing, driven mostly by multifamily starts.
2. Existing home sales increased in January. That means we’ve now had three months of gains out of the past four months.
3. Total housing inventory fell to a 6.1 month supply at the end of January. This means that on average it now takes just over 6 months to sell a home, which is an improvement. According to Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, “The broad inventory condition can be described as moving into a rough balance, not favoring buyers or sellers.”
4. There are plenty of home buyers and investors competing for foreclosure sales in almost all markets.
5. Purchases of homes are on the rise by all types of buyers, from seasoned investors to first-time home buyers.
6. Most economists agree that the market is improving. Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist says, “Our outlook anticipates gradual, but steady, improvement in the economy and the housing market, supported by low interest rates and brightening job market prospects.”

This is excellent news for the spring and summer Brooklyn real estate season that’s just around the corner. If you’ve been considering buying or selling a home, now’s the time to start that process so you’re ready for the hottest season we’ve seen in years.

Thinking about buying or selling Brooklyn real estate? Please contact Call Charles D’Alessandro of Fillmore Real Estate at (718) 253-9600 ext 206 or email me at [email protected] . I can help you achieve your goals.

Is your family starting to feel cramped in your current house, or are you ready to quit renting and start investing? With the extra day added into this leap year, you have an additional 24 hours this month to decide if you’re.

Not sure how to decide if this is the year? Whether you’re a property-purchasing pro or a first-time home buyer, take a look at the three points below to determine if you’re prepared to take the leap and invest big.

You have a sizeable down payment. Knowing what you can actually afford is half the battle. A good estimate is to triple your household income, and that will roughly be what you’ll want to spend. Whatever you’ve saved as a down payment can go on top of that or, if you’re frugal, can just be used to reduce your monthly payments. The larger the down payment you have, the smaller your mortgage payments will be, and it could possibly get you a better interest rate.

1. You have a good real estate agent. It’s important to find a trustworthy, competent agent before you find your dream house. Take the time to thoroughly interview agents and get referrals. You’ll want to make sure you have someone who is knowledgeable about the Brooklyn real estate market to help you make one of the biggest decisions of your life.
2. You have a brag-worthy credit score. Strike while the iron is hot! If you’ve taken the time to build up and ensure a great credit score, use your good standing to take advantage of today’s low interest rates.

If you meet all three qualifications, consider taking advantage of this month’s extra day, as well as the low interest rates and home prices, and leap into a new home. Please call Call Charles D’Alessandro of Fillmore Real Estate at (718) 253-9600 ext 206 or email me at [email protected] if you have questions concerning your credit score and down payment, or want to work with a knowledgeable Brooklyn real estate agent.

The winter season makes staging, or the concept of showing your Brooklyn home for sale  at its best, even more important.  Follow these tips to make your home irresistible:

1. Make every surface shine: Shine bathroom fixtures, stove, refrigerator and faucets.
2. Sweep your front porch: Sweep away all those leaves stuck in the corners.
3. Clean, Clean, Clean: Everything from lamps and light fixtures to bulbs and baseboards.
4. Add fresh flowers: Put them on the entry table, dining room table and anywhere else that needs a splash of color.
5. Remove all clutter: Put it in a storage locker or a friend’s garage. Take down all your personal pictures.  Buyers want to picture their belongings in the house, not yours.
6. Burn potpourri: Or bake something to leave out for potential buyers.
7. Leave every light on: And every interior door open.
8. Keep snow and ice at bay:  If your Brooklyn home is under winter conditions, be sure to keep walkways and driveways clear of snow and ice.
9. Warm it up. Adjust the thermostat so your home is warm and inviting.

10.  Take advantage of natural light: Encourage showings during daylight hours. Have all curtains and blinds open during the day and closed at night.

11. Wash the windows: Buyers act on first impressions; the strong winter sun can reveal grime and turn away prospective buyers.

12.  Create a little atmosphere: Play music softly in the background. Tune the radio to a classical station, and turn it down so that you barely hear it in the background.

13.  Show off hardwood floors: Pull up that wall-to-wall carpeting, clean the floors, store the throw rugs and show the wood!

14.  Freshen the walls: At a minimum, clean the walls from top to bottom.  If they still look dingy, give them a fresh coat of paint.  That is the quickest and fastest way to freshen up a room.

15.  Use the rule of 3 – Three items per surface, in every room.  Make it look uncluttered and clean by doing this.

If you are ready to sell your Brooklyn home , I can help you get it on the market and sold.  Call Charles D’Alessandro Your Brooklyn real estate agent with Fillmore Real Estate a call at 718/253-9600 ext 206 or email me at [email protected] for more information.

Charles D'Alessandro your Brooklyn real estate agent!

While we all know the economy has taken a hit on the real estate market, that doesn’t mean purchasing a Brooklyn home and putting down roots has turned into an unreachable dream. In fact, you can grasp it quite easily, and there are many benefits to doing so.

Start 2012 off right by setting new life and financial goals for yourself. If you’ve been renting and are planning to remain in Brooklyn, then it’s definitely time for you to consider buying a house. Here are some benefits you should take into account:

• You’ll build equity. If you take out a loan, you’ll be using someone else’s money to turn your property into a piggy bank and eventually make money as your Brooklyn home appreciates. Plus, when you sell down the road, you won’t have to share the proceeds — what’s not to like about making money with your bank’s money!
• You’ll receive tax breaks. The government supports purchasing homes by giving you significant tax breaks on your federal taxes. And when it comes time to sell, you won’t have to pay capital gains taxes either, until you hit a certain ceiling.
• You’ll be able to count on consistent payments year to year. If you can get a fixed-rate mortgage, you won’t need to worry about an annual increase in your housing payments. When you’re renting, you never know what your payments could be from lease to lease, which makes it hard to determine if your current residence will always be within your budget.

While the appreciation on a house you purchase now might not shoot up as fast as it did a decade ago, buying a home is still a wise long-term investment. Paying rent is no investment at all.

If you’re on the fence about the benefits of purchasing a Brooklyn home in the New Year or you’d like to see what’s available, please call Charles D’Alessandro Your Brooklyn real estate agent with Fillmore Real Estate a call at 718/253-9600 ext 206 or email me at [email protected] I’m happy to help.

If you’re looking for ways to update your Brooklyn home, consider ceramic tile. There are myriad ways to implement tile for a new look.

Ceramic tile is the ideal material to use where water is an issue—think the kitchen, bathroom and plant room. It’s also the best option where fire is an issue—again the kitchen, fireplace and woodstove. For a durable and classic look, consider these possibilities for ceramic tile in your Brooklyn home:

• Flooring. Compared to wood, tile is affordable and more durable. Compared to carpet, tile is hypo-allergenic and more durable. Compared to vinyl, tile is classic and more durable.
• Countertops. If your kitchen countertops have seen better days, you can get a whole new, custom look with ceramic tile.
• Entire bathroom. From the floor to the walls, ceramic tile can withstand the water and steam of the bathroom environment.
• Hearth. Ceramic tile around the fireplace or woodstove equals peace of mind.
• Windowsills. If you have houseplants, you know how easy it is to ruin the woodwork of a windowsill. Tile is a much more forgiving material to host your plants and their watery needs.
• Backsplash. A backsplash is installed wherever you need to protect a section of wall. Above the kitchen or bathroom sink, ceramic tile will protect your wall from water damage. Another place you can install a backsplash is behind the stove, where food and grease splash up. With ceramic tile, clean up is easy and a backsplash will add stunning interest to your décor.

In today’s buyer’s market, you need to make sure your Brooklyn  home stands out from the rest. For more tips on how to get your home sold, contact me Charles D’Alessandro Your Brooklyn real estate agent with Fillmore Real Estate a call at 718/253-9600 ext 206 or email me at [email protected]

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Before you sign on the dotted line for your new Brooklyn home, be sure to get the information you need to make a sound financial decision. That includes getting a thorough home inspection by a qualified professional.

This may seem like one more hoop to jump through, but a detailed and complete inspection can reveal some unpleasant surprises about your new Brooklyn home purchase. It can also impact the price you pay for the property. Remember, part of your offer should include a clause that specifies who will pay for any necessary repairs discovered by the inspection.

When looking for an inspector:

• Ask your friends: Word of mouth is still the best way to go, as their good experience can lead to yours.
• Ask your real estate agent: Agents have worked with many buyers and sellers and have heard the stories of money saved by a solid inspection.
• Ask Google or the Yellow Pages: If no one has a good recommendation, you can always go in blind. Research any prospects you find thoroughly.

No matter how you find inspectors’ names, take the time to check them out.

Once you have a home inspector in mind, be sure to:

• Check licensing: Licensing varies from state to state. Know the rules for your area.
• Check references: Any reputable inspector should have a list of happy former clients. Call a few of them.
• Check the Better Business Bureau: A few minutes can save you some headaches. You don’t want an inspector with 20 complaints lodged against him no matter how wonderful Uncle Eddie says he is.
• Request sample reports: Review sample reports from the inspector. The reports should be thorough.
• Check qualifications: Make sure your inspector has a background in engineering, architecture or contracting work. You want someone who can recognize and identify problems. Ask inspectors about their education, experience and professional association membership (such as the American Society of Home Inspectors).

If you’re looking to buy a Brooklyn home, give me a call Charles D’Alessandro your Brooklyn Realtor® today at (718) 253-9600 ext 206 or email me at [email protected]. I’ll take you step-by-step through the buying process, including getting the home thoroughly inspected by a qualified professional.

What Do Buyers of Brooklyn Homes Want in a Neighborhood?

What Do Buyers of Brooklyn Homes Want in a Neighborhood? So, what do they want? Based on the data just in from the 2011 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, here are what buyers want in a neighborhood in order of importance:

67 percent favor a quality neighborhood

1. 49 percent of buyers said they want convenience to jobs
2. 45 percent look at the overall affordability of Brooklyn homes in the neighborhood
3. 39 percent prefer to live close to family and friends
4. 28 percent of buyers are interested in having shopping close by
5. 27 percent want a quality school district
6. 22 percent ask for a neighborhood that is convenient to schools
7. 21 percent like to live close to entertainment or leisure activities

Assess your neighborhood. Which of the attributes most desired by buyers does your neighborhood have? Showcase those features in the marketing materials for your home:

Mention the schools, shopping, entertainment and leisure activities that are close to your home.

• Give statistics on the quality of your school district.
• Take photos of your neighborhood that flaunt its quality.

Need help marketing your home? I am a Realtor® that specializes  in selling Brooklyn homes in your neighborhood. If you’re ready to sell your home, let me market your neighborhood and home to get it sold now. Please  call me today Charles D’Alessandro Your Brooklyn real estate agent with Fillmore Real Estate a call at 718/253-9600 ext 206 or email me at [email protected] for more information.

Should you be marketing to first-time home buyers in order to sell your Brooklyn real estate? The 2011 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers has a wealth of information on first-time home buyers and will help you figure out if you should market to this large and important group of buyers.

Here are the stats (courtesy of AgBeat.com) you need to know about first-time home buyers before selling your Brooklyn real estate:

• Long-term survey averages show that 4 out of 10 buyers are typically first-time buyers. This segment is critical to a housing recovery because they help existing home owners sell and make a trade.
  • The median age of first-time buyers was 31 and the median income was $62,400, up from $59,900 in the 2010 study.
  • The typical first-time buyer purchased a 1,570 square foot home costing $155,000.
  • First-time buyers who financed their purchase used a variety of resources for the down payment: 79 percent tapped into savings; 26 percent received a gift from a friend or relative, typically from their parents; and 7 percent received a loan from a relative or friend. Nine percent sold stocks or bonds and 8 percent tapped into a 401(k) fund.
  • Ninety-four percent of entry-level buyers chose a fixed-rate mortgage. Fifty-four percent of first-time buyers financed with a low down payment FHA mortgage, and 6 percent used the VA loan program which requires no down payment.

What this Information Means to You

If you’re selling an existing, entry-level home, you’ll most likely be selling to a first-time home buyer with a median age of 31 and a median income of $62,400. First-time home buyers are most likely to get a fixed-rate, FHA mortgage. Gear your marketing toward that buyer to have more success.

If you’re ready to sell your Brooklyn real estate, whether it appeals to first-time buyers or other types of buyers, I’ll market it to get it sold quickly and for as much as possible. Give me a call  Charles D’Alessandro Your Brooklyn real estate agent with Fillmore Real Estate for more information. at 718/253-9600 ext 206 or email me at [email protected]