According to RealtyTrac, 1 in 70 homes have received foreclosures notices since January, 2010 – a total of 1.7 million houses in the U.S. Was your Brooklyn home one of them? In previous blogs, we’ve covered several ways to avoid foreclosure, but a rising trend has brought another possibility to the forefront.

According to a recent Pew Research Center study, many individuals are surviving the economic blues by expanding their households. By the end of 2008, more than 16%, or 49 million, of Americans lived in a household with more than one generation. Although the statistics aren’t back yet for 2009 -2010, experts expect the numbers to be even higher.

These Americans aren’t all young college graduates moving back in with mom and dad, either. Parents have moved in with children, children with parents – somehow, even siblings have managed to live together in relative harmony. This trend spans across the board from single parents to elderly grandparents. According to the report, approximately one in five adults ages 25 to 34 and 65 + live in a multi-generational home.

Are you suggesting I let family members move in?

Actually, yes I am. Now, depending on your family dynamics, I realize this might be the equivalent of inviting World War III to your doorstep. However, if you face losing your Brooklyn home to foreclosure, you might at least stop to consider the possibilities. For instance:

• More working people in the household means more ability to pay the mortgage and stop the foreclosure.
• With more family members, you have a stronger family influence on children living in the home.
• With more people, responsibility is shared more.  You won’t need to do everything on your own.

No, it’s not an ideal situation. However, if you’ve said, “I’d do anything to keep my home,” did you mean it? Does the definition of “anything” include family World War III? Could you sit down with your family members, work out a set of compromises and live in harmony? If you’ve tried everything else, this may be your best bet for avoiding foreclosure on your Brooklyn home.

You never know; you may even come to like it.

If you’re looking for a home to support a multi-generational household, I can help. Call me 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 Downsizing Your Demands for a Home for Sale in Brooklyn

The extension of the homebuyer’s tax credit, as well as the expansion to include upgrade homebuyers, has a lot of people looking for their dream home. Many are looking for that dream home in the listings for Brooklyn foreclosures. Why?

The Law of Supply and Demand

Quick marketing lesson: every market is dependent on the law of supply and demand. When the demand for a product is higher than the supply, prices go up. When there’s more product than demand, prices go down.

This is what’s happening now, especially with Brooklyn foreclosures. Around the U.S., the supply of homes has doubled in the past two years, reaching as high as a ten-month supply. While Brooklyn homebuyers have been reluctant to buy a foreclosure in the past, people are starting to rethink the situation because:

• Foreclosures are usually less expensive than traditional homes for sale.  In fact, some buyers have found their dream home and bought it for pennies on the dollar.

• Foreclosed properties are generally in better condition that they used to be.  In the past, foreclosed homes had a higher than average amount of repairs needed compared to other homes for sale. This is no longer necessarily true. Many foreclosured homes have been lovingly taken care of by their previous owners.

• Potential buyers of foreclosures have a wider variety from which to choose. They aren’t stuck with just one type of house in one Brooklyn neighborhood. For the careful new homebuyer, the possibilities really are almost endless.

Most foreclosed homes aren’t money pits. To protect yourself, make sure your real estate agent includes in the contract that you want to have the home inspected, and that if the home inspection finds major problems, you then have the right to walk away from the deal.

If you’re looking for a great home at a great price, I can help. Call me at Charles D’Alessandro of Fillmore Real Estate at (718)253-9600 ext 206 or email me at [email protected] for more information.

I think this is an idea! With these thousands of home foreclosure, the government and the banks are looking for a solution. Here is one. The war veterans are across the globe protecting our lifestyle, who better to take advantage of the situation.

The Veterans deserve the opportunity of home ownership. I thing they pay their dues and besides it will help get the inventory off the market. I would love to hear opinions on this issue. Lets reward their service and help the country at the same time! Pass this around if you agree and see if we can creat a movement to help the Vets!

Charles D’Alessandro

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

Brooklyn Real Estate Blog Benefits of Exterior Lighting for Brooklyn Real Estate