Going Green in Your Brooklyn Home for Sale!

Is it really possible to go green and save money without spending all your free time recycling?  Yes, if you start small and think sensibly.  You don’t have to single handedly save the planet.

Keep reading for a few simple things you can do in your Brooklyn home this week to help the environment, save money and enjoy still enjoy your free time.

Make It

OK, you may be thinking, there’s no way I’m going to get into making a bunch of stuff.  Hear me out before you throw in the towel.  You can quickly, easily and inexpensively make green household cleaners.  All you need are a few inexpensive ingredients like vinegar, baking soda and lemon.

Buy in Bulk

Do this in a practical way.  Don’t worry about all that time consuming extreme couponing.  Stock up on staples with a long shelf life like canned goods and paper products, when they’re on sale.

Reuse

Don’t go crazy trying to figure out how to reuse your aluminum foil or dryer lint.  Instead, get a water filter and a reusable water bottle; then stop buying bottled water.

Do-It-Yourself

You’ll save serious money when you tackle a few weekend projects to maintain or upgrade your Brooklyn home.  Consider the cost of heating and cooling.  If you add weather-stripping, install a programmable thermostat or improve your insulation, you’ll save big utility bucks.

Borrow instead of Buying

How many times have you actually reread all of the books on your shelf?  Once or twice? Rediscover your public library.  It’s an amazing place these days that has gone way beyond just books.  They now have audio books, e-books, DVDs and video games.  All for free!

Want to buy a green Brooklyn home?  I can help you find a home that’s already green or that’s easy to convert.  Give me Charles D’Alessandro Your Brooklyn Realtor® with Fillmore Real Estate a call today at 718/253-9600 ext 206 or email me at [email protected].

Marketing your Brooklyn Home For Sale By Owner

You’ve decided to try to sell your Brooklyn home for sale by owner (FSBO). One of the many tasks you’ll be performing is showing your home to potential buyers.  You won’t personally know most potential buyers, so be sure to take precautions to stay safe.  After all, these are strangers you’re allowing into your home.

Here are six tips to protect your safety when showing your Brooklyn home for sale by owner (FSBO) to potential buyers:

1. Pre-qualify potential buyers. The most basic thing you want to do is determine if a potential buyer can afford to buy your home.  The best way to do this is to require that the potential buyer give you a copy of their pre-approval letter before scheduling a viewing of your home.  Buyers who are not serious about buying within the next few months will not have bothered to get pre-approved, and buyers who cannot afford your home will not be able to get a pre-approval letter.

2.      Use a sign-in sheet. Keep a sign-in sheet near the entrance to your home.  Have everyone who comes to view your home fill out his or her name, address and phone number on the sheet as soon as they enter.

3.      Stay with them while they tour your home. While you don’t want to hover over their shoulders, don’t allow them to wander around your home by themselves.

4.      Have someone else with you. Don’t be home alone.  Have your neighbor, a friend or family member with you at all times.

5.      Hide valuables. Do not leave money, jewelry or other valuables where they can be seen or easily taken.

6.      Require an appointment. Whether you’re selling your home as a FSBO or with a  real estate agent  requiring an appointment allows you to keep a normal schedule.  You don’t want people touring your home while you’re eating dinner or taking a nap.   If a buyer is really interested, he or she will not have a problem making an appointment.

Want help marketing your Brooklyn home for sale by owner?  Give me  Charles D’Alessandro Your Brooklyn Realtor® with Fillmore Real Estate a call today at (718) 253-9600 ext 206 or email me at [email protected].  I’ll give you a free home market price  analysis to determine how much your home is worth in today’s market.

Short Sale vs. Foreclosure on your Brooklyn Home

Although selling your Brooklyn New York home as a short sale probably isn’t what you’d prefer, it may be the best option for you.  The good news is that short sales are becoming the preferred option for lenders hampered by the huge number of  Brooklyn foreclosures.

To get you started on your short sale journey, here’s the condensed version of how to sell your Brooklyn home as a short sale:

1. Hire an experienced real estate professional. Find a real estate attorney and/or agent who have successfully closed a lot of short sales.  Additionally, REALTORS® with the Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation have a thorough understanding of how to assist their clients in foreclosure avoidance options. Having experienced professionals guide you through the process is crucial to your success.  You want them working for you as soon as possible because they’ll be communicating and negotiating with your lender.
2. Start now. As soon as you know you can no longer afford your home, hire your real estate professionals and get started.  The longer you wait to get the short sale process started, the harder it’s going to be.  Like everything in life, the more options you have the better off you are.  Don’t wait until foreclosure is your only option.
3. Prove to your lender that you’re truly a financial hardship case. If you just want to stop paying your mortgage, you won’t be able to sell your home as a short sale.  You must prove you honestly cannot afford your home by giving your lender a:
   1. Detailed financial worksheet documenting your expenses and income.
   2. Copy of your income tax returns for at least the last two years.
   3. Hardship letter providing details about why you cannot pay your mortgage.
4. Submit Letter of Authorization.  Write a letter to your lender giving him permission to talk with your real estate professionals about your loan.  Include the names of all the borrowers and their social security numbers, your real estate professionals’ names and contact information, your home’s address and loan reference number.
5. Take the advice of your real estate professionals. You hired them for their expertise.  Now, take their advice and allow the pros to guide you the rest of the way through this process.

Whether you have questions about short sales, foreclosures or traditional Brooklyn New York  home sales, I can help.  Please give Charles D’Alessandro Your Brooklyn Realtor® with Fillmore Real Estate a call today at (718) 253-9600 ext 206 or email me at [email protected].  I’ll give you a free home price  analysis to determine how much your home is worth in today’s market.

De Clutter your Brooklyn Home!

You’re not a hoarder, but you definitely need to get rid of items cluttering your Brooklyn New York home.  If the thought of having a garage sale makes you run screaming, never fear.   Here are four websites that will help you clear out unwanted items, without having a garage sale or throwing them in the trash.

1. Craigslist.  No matter what you think of Craigslist, it works for getting rid of unwanted items.  Just be sure to stay safe by having a friend or family member with you at your Brooklyn home when someone comes to pick up the items.  Here are a few more tips to help move your stuff fast using Craigslist:
   1. Include a photo. Buyers want to know what the item looks like.
   2. Add as much detail as possible.  Include dimensions and sizes and be honest about wear and tear.
2. Freecycle.  Post things you want to give away. Even broken items such as TVs, lawnmowers, tools and bikes are happily taken.  Be sure a friend or family member is home with you when people pick up their items.
3. Donate Games. They sell used games, including board games and video games.  The money raised is used to fund medical research for children with rare diseases.
4. Sports Gift. Whether it’s a tennis racket you no longer use or a baseball uniform you’ve outgrown, Sports Gift will help your discarded sports gear find its way to needy children in the USA and abroad.  All you have to do is box them up and pay to ship them.

If you’re toying with the idea of putting your Brooklyn  New York home on the market, please give me a call Charles D’Alessandro Your Brooklyn Realtor® with Fillmore Real Estate a call today at (718) 253-9600 ext 206 or email me at [email protected].  I’ll give you a free analysis to determine how much your home is worth in today’s market.

Home Owners Insurance For Your Beooklyn Home!

You know you need homeowner’s insurance on your Brooklyn Home but what kind and how much?  To help you figure this out, here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about homeowner’s insurance.

How much homeowner’s insurance do you need?

Lenders require you to carry enough coverage to protect their investment, which means the amount of your loan.  But the amount of your loan most likely isn’t enough to rebuild your home, if it was damaged.  To be able to replace your home and its contents in case of a disaster, you probably want a policy that insures the replacement value of your Brooklyn home.

It’s a good idea to sit down periodically with your insurance agent to review your homeowner’s policy.  You want to determine if your coverage matches current construction costs and the replacement value of your Brooklyn home’s content.

What about coverage for earthquakes and floods?

Many homeowners assume coverage for all natural disasters is included in their insurance policy.  Not true.  In fact, the most important thing for you to know about flood and earthquake insurance is that it is not included in a basic homeowner’s insurance policy.  Both require separate policies in order to get reimbursed for damage.

Let’s face it; most of the United States has the possibility of being affected by an earthquake.  Unless you specifically purchase earthquake coverage, damage to your Brooklyn home caused by a quake is not covered.  The same is true with flooding.  You don’t have to live next to a large body of water to sustain water damage from flooding.  A small creek next to your home can cause just as much damage during a flash flood.

Do you need to shop around for insurance?

Fortunately, the Insurance Services Office (ISO) sets the standards for homeowner’s policies so coverage doesn’t change much from company to company, however, rates can vary greatly.  That means it is worth your time and effort to shop around for the best prices before you buy your homeowner’s policy.

If you’d like a referral to a professional homeowner’s insurance agent, give me Charles The Realtor® with Filmore Real Estate a call today at (718) 253-9600 ext.206 or email me at [email protected]

The Internet has made researching real estate easy for anyone who knows how to surf online. Whether researching real estate to sell homes or to find for their next big investment, many property owners and home buyers think they’ll save a lot of money by doing all the work themselves.

However, statistics show that you’re more likely to sell your property quicker or find your Brooklyn dream house faster when you work with a professional Brooklyn real estate agent.  Working with an agent provides you with an expanded housing database, years of property-purchasing knowledge and valuable contacts for everything from Home inspections to home loans on your Brooklyn Home.

The trick is to find the right Brooklyn real estate agent to fit your needs.  Here are 5 tips to help you find your perfect fit:

1. Knowledgeable – You’ll want to find an agent who is experienced and doesn’t always agree with you. If they’re constantly telling you yes, then they may not be working in your best interest.
2. Hard working – Agents who’ve been in the real estate business for decades could be burned out and new recruits might not be as skilled. Look for an agent who has experience in your neighborhood, loves the work and has the energy to get the job done.
3. Responsive – Communication is key, so you want to find an agent who gives you constant updates.
4. Objective – When it comes to your home, making decisions can become extremely personal. You want an agent who will keep a level head and help you ensure you’re not making emotional or irrational decisions.
5. Innovative – A resourceful real estate agent who is always looking for new ways to market your Brooklyn property or looking in new places to find you a house will help you achieve your goals quicker.

Don’t endure the frustration of marching through the real estate maze alone. With the right agent by your side, you’ll experience less stress, get what you want faster and save money in the long run.

If you’re looking for an experienced, energetic, resourceful  Brooklyn real estate agent or just have a few questions, give me Charles D’Alessandro your Brooklyn Realtor® with Fillmore Real Estate a call at (718) 253-9600 ext.206 or email me at [email protected]

When buying or selling your Brooklyn  home, there are many long-term conditions you should take into consideration for future planning. Will you look back years from now and wish you had not sold? Will your new home be something that you’ll love long term?

In today’s chaotic Brooklyn New York real estate market, jumping from one home to another every few years may no longer be a financially viable option. When purchasing a home for the long term, here are a few questions you should ask yourself:

Questions for long-term Brooklyn new York real estate planning:

• Death in the family – If you’re a couple, what would happen if one of you passed away? Would the home you currently live in still work? That property may not look as attractive, if you’re going to be the only one caring for it.
• The option of renting – If you want to move, but you can’t get the money you need out of your house to justify a sale, will it make a good rental property? Renting your home may be a great way to maintain some cash flow while still downsizing your living space during your retirement years.
• Location – If you’ve envisioned an activity-filled retirement, will your location allow you to fulfill that dream? Is there a college nearby to pursue that master’s degree you’ve always wanted … can you go to cooking school … what about volunteering at a community center?
• Flexibility of home – Have you considered how your home will be able to adapt to your changing needs? Maybe an upstairs master bedroom was attractive when you had children, but if you happen to face limited mobility, those stairs might put a kink in your lifestyle. Before purchasing, use a floor-planning tool to determine the types of spaces that are important to you.

Don’t put yourself in a situation where you’re forced to sell your home because it doesn’t fit your future lifestyle. Make sure you invest in a Brooklyn New York home where you can create life-long memories.

If you need help with your long-term Brooklyn New York real estate planning, please call me Charles D’Alessandro your Brooklyn Realtor® of Fillmore Real Estate at (718)253-9600 ext.206 or email me at [email protected] ,or your Brooklyn real estate search can start HERE and NOW, with www.CharlesTheRealtor.com

As we approach the 2011 Income Tax filing deadline of April 15th , as homeowners we turn our attention to a different tax, real estate tax.

The cost of home ownership is not simply your monthly mortgage payment.  In order to calculate the true cost of Brooklyn home ownership, you need to consider a variety of other expenses.

One of the additional expenses you need to consider is real estate taxes.  Most state and local governments charge an annual tax on the value of real property. This is called a real estate tax.  Not everyone is subject to real estate taxes but for those who are it can make a big difference in how much home you can afford.

Real estate taxes are not the same for every property.

Real estate taxes vary from a couple of hundred dollars a year to thousands of dollars a year.  This should be looked at seriously, because it could mean the difference between being able to afford your home and not being able to make your payments.

No one wants to be house poor or lose their home because they can’t afford the real estate tax, but countless numbers of people have lost their homes for this very reason.  If you don’t pay your real estate taxes, not only will your home be sold for back taxes, but the mortgage company will still expect full payment on your loan.

Higher taxes don’t necessarily mean better services.

Although neighborhoods with higher taxes can offer better schools, roads and hospitals, this is not always the case.  Don’t judge the neighborhood by the real estate tax, but do look at the services you’re getting for the taxes being charged.

Real estate taxes must be paid to transfer ownership.

If you are selling your Brooklyn home, you must have your real estate taxes current.  If you’re buying a Brooklyn home, know that the real estate taxes are part of the closing costs you have to pay.  The yearly real estate taxes and the status of those taxes are part of every real estate listing and should be taken into consideration just as you would consider the price of the home.

Knowing the costs associated with homeownership allows you to purchase your new Brooklyn home with peace of mind.

If you’re thinking of buying a Brooklyn home, let me help make the process a pleasant and profitable experience.  Call me Charles D’Alessandro your Brooklyn Realtor® with Fillmore Real Estate today at (718) 253-9600 ext 206 or email me at [email protected]

Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to add some romance to your Brooklyn home.  No need to spend a lot of money.  Here are some simple tips to create your own inexpensive, yet romantic, Valentine evening:

Romantic Dinner for Two

A delicious meal is a great way to start off the evening. Many Brooklyn restaurants are over booked and raise their prices on Valentine’s Day, so forego the expensive dinner out. Instead, create a special dinner at your Brooklyn New York home. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Cook Pecan Chicken with Mustard Sauce – Don’t like to cook?  Buy an already prepared meal from your local grocery store; it’s fairly inexpensive these days.  Just be sure to remove it from the containers and put it on pretty plates.

• Add Music – Turn the radio to your favorite station and enjoy. Or, download some romantic music to your MP3 player.

• Use candlesticks and cloth napkins – Candles are always romantic, and, when lit, eliminate the need to clean your Brooklyn home thoroughly. Your sweetie won’t be able to see the dirt in the glow of candlelight.

After Dinner

Valentine’s Day is about spending time with the one you love.  Instead of going out, rent a romantic movie and stay in.  Wine (or sparkling juice), a movie and snuggling on the couch can do wonders for your love life!

• Wine or sparkling grape juice – Call for your favorite take out!
• Movie – Rent a Netflix Movie .

The Bedroom

Go on vacation – in your own bedroom!  Get that “new room” feeling by washing your bed linens, fluffing up the pillows, and spraying the pillowcases with lavender essential oil. Put one rich chocolate wrapped in foil on each pillow.

Wishing you and your loved one a sweet Valentine’s Day!