The LDM Team REAL ESTATEBlog

MONEY SAVING REMEDIES FROM HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS

I figured you all may want to be entertained a bit these days instead of talking about the negative press and the good old economy...here are some great tips to save $$ with items you probably never thought of... sorry if some of them are rather gross!

 

Pet ear mites-Eliminate them by massaging a few drops of Corn Oil in your cat's or dog's ear...then clean with a cotton ball.  Repeat daily for 3 days.  The oil soothes the skin, smothers the mites, and accelerates healing.

Got fleas? Dishwashing Liquid does the trick.  Add a few drops to your dog's bath and shampoo the animal thoroughly.  Rinse well to avoid skin irritations.  Good-bye fleas.

Stinky wet pets? Next time your dog comes in from the rain, simply wipe down the animal with a dryer sheet, instantly making your dog smell springtime fresh.

Headache? Did you know that drinking two glasses of Gatorade can relieve headache pain almost immediately-without the unpleasant side effects caused by traditional pain relievers?

Burns-Mint Toothpaste makes an excellent salve for burns.

Stuffy nose? Before you head to the drugstore for a high-priced inhaler filled with mysterious chemicals, try chewing on a couple of curiously strong Altoids peppermints. They'll clear up your stuffed nose.

Achy muscles from a bout of the flu?  Mix 1 tablespoon horseradish in 1 cup of olive oil.  Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes, then apply it as a massage oil for instant relief for aching muscles.

Sore throat?  Just mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1/4 cup of honey and take 1 tablespoon six times a day.  The vinegar kills the bacteria.

Skin blemishes? Cover the blemish with a dab of honey and place a Band-Aid over it.  Honey kills the bacteria, keeps the skin sterile, and speeds healing.  

Toenail fungus cooties? Get rid of unsightly toenail fungus by soaking your toes in Listerine Mouthwash.  The powerful antiseptic leaves your toenails looking healthy again.

Eyeglass protection... to prevent the screws in eyeglasses from loosening, apply a small drop of Clear Nail Polish to the threads of the screws before tightening them.

Bug killer... if menacing bees, wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets get in your home and you can't find the insecticide, try a spray of Formula 409.  Insects drop to the ground instantly.

Smart splinter remover: Just pour a drop of Glue(elmer’s is fine) over the splinter, let dry, and peel the dried glue off the skin.  The splinter sticks to the dried glue. 


Balm for broken blisters... to disinfect a broken blister, dab on a few drops of Listerine, a powerful antiseptic.

Got bruises?... soak a cotton ball in white vinegar and apply it to the bruise for 1 hour.  The vinegar reduces the blueness and speeds up the healing process.

Pain relief... Mix 2 cups of oats and 1 cup of water in a bowl and warm in the microwave for 1 minute, cool slightly, and apply the mixture to your hands for soothing relief from arthritis pain.

 

Please note: These tips are not from my own trial and error BUT the following ones are from my deal friend Shannon Sodano...I'm sure you recall I've mentioned her before, and she sells excellent Arbonne ( check out her website at www.sksodano.myarbonne.com) products and is very into wellness and green living, so here are her own household cure-alls...

 

SPRAINS AND STRAINS: Tear off few cold lettuce leaves and wrap around strained area, applying with a loose elastic bandage. Lettuce has anti-inflammatory affects to reduce swelling and pain.

THE BLUES: Pour a cup of boiling water over a cinammon stick. Steep for 10 mins. and then drink. Now smile.

SINUSITIS/COLD: Take 3 tablespoons (total) of oregano, thyme and rosemary or a mixed italian spice and place/sprinkle into a large pot of water. Heat the water until it boils and lean over the pot, with a towel over the head to hold in moisture. Now breathe in.

INSOMNIA: Rub cold-pressed sesame oil into souls of the feet for five minutes.

HEADACHE: Fill a small bowl with ice water and add 5-7 drops of peppermint oil. Dip washcloth in the liquid and wring it out. Apply to the forehead for 10-15 minutes.

BUG BITES: Peel the banana and place peel, fruit side down onto bite until itching or burning subsides.

 

Per my last email I had some money saving tips...if you don't cook and want to, along with eat & feel healthier, check this out...

 

Learn the secrets to creating fun, easy, delicious dishes in minutes this holiday season with Meredith Sobel, certified health counselor and natural foods chef…

Enjoy a full dinner of organic fresh food, taste organic wines, and munch on delicious healthy appetizers while you learn and sip hot spiced cider or herbal tea in a festive calming environment. 

 

Some Menu Samples(call for further info):

Butternut Squash Soup, Wild Salmon Salad,Polenta with Seasonal Garden Greens , Maple Roasted Root Vegetable Casserole &Creamy Coconut Pumpkin Pie

 

Class admission includes detailed recipes; as well instruction in the health benefits of foods prepared and a complete festive dinner.

Date and Time: Tuesday November 25^th at 7pm-9pm

Class will take place at: Atmananda Yoga Studio

324 Lafayette Street (between Bleecker and Houston), 7^th Floor

 

Pricing: $79 per person.  Prepayment required by November 23^rd at 10pm.

To book your class: http://healthythanksgiving.eventbrite.com

Email meredith@sobelwellness.com or call 212-222-8187 for more information

In addition, if you are interested in a Greener Planet, check out www.shoptoearn.net/ldmsavings

Ask me how to get discounts on all your well loved online shops and great GREEN products on the shop to earth portion of the site.

All the best,

Laura Denise Milkowski, Christina Prostano, Michael Beam

The LDM TEAM

LDM's TOP 11 TIPS to SAVE SMART while still HAVING FUN!

LDM's TOP 11 TIPS to SAVE SMART while still HAVING FUN!

(many more will be in my upcoming book)

1-Make your own coffee...even if you buy the "good beans" and brew yourself, you'll save upwards of 1000.00

2-Take the subway- not only do you get exercise which may keep you out if the 100+ a month gym habit, it's a fraction of the cost of cabs and usually takes the same amount of time- remove 10% of the savings for shoe maintenance!

3-Girls- Have a girls night out party...paint eachothers nails, use fun face masks and go back to basics with $5 buck chuck wines and pizza...still less than a mani- pedi- and alot more fun!

4-Take a massage class with your significant other...and test eachothers skills out-at least once a week- this could save you well over 2-3k a year- per person!

5-Cook your own food- not only do you know what's in your food, it's exactly what you wanted- and leftovers are great for lunch!

6-Buddy up with someone who has a car and go to COSTCO.

7-Take the free ferry to Ikea in Red Hook and hit up Fairway!

8-Go to happy hours for the free snacks and discounted frosties!

9-Visit friends and swap- clothes, bags, accessories, dvd's...this is especially great for those of you who wear things only once!

10-Have a loan?  Call them and see if they will modify the rate to reduce your monthly payments *call us for more info.

11-Like Mom says...do your own laundry!

NEED MORE IDEAS?  I have tons of resources that will make you look and feel like a million- without spending a fraction!

Have fun!

Laura Denise Milkowski, Christina Prostano, Michael Beam

The LDM Team   www.theldmteam.com

 

 

WHO WINS IN THIS MARKET?

 

WHO WINS?

Solid advice from the LDM Team-the residential experts!

I am seeing some interesting things happening in the market...

When sellers are holding onto the glitz of yesterday's prices and buyers are in a "wait and see" mode and more and more property comes on the market, we are in for the tipping point towards a declining market.  It is normal for people to take a bit of time to digest what is going on before they become proactive.  We will see the market transitioning and no matter what, the SMART ones are going to do well!

Be AHEAD of the rest!

Right now the amount of property on the is market double compared to last year, and the amount of sales are much lower than the amount of property coming onto the market...

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

If you are SERIOUS and need to sell now, the only way to SELL is to price where buyers PERCEIVE it's a value! The SMART buyers will see that it's not only a good value BUT that the interest rates are still LOW.

Smart sellers know that most other sellers will hold their prices-while they price competitively-and will be ahead of the game...   They also know they are going to be buyers...usually they'll see MORE savings on the new home they buy.  If we assume they sell for 10% less and buy a bigger, more expensive place thats 10% less-this could be a GREAT OPPORTUNITY!

Buyers will BUY if they PERCEIVE value- like a shoe SALE.

When buyers don't see value...the feedback we get on a property is..."needs a doorman", "not big enough", "not renovated".  I found this meant the property was overpriced- because it's amazing how flexible buyers are when they see it's MORE VALUABLE than all the other properties they've just seen!

Although buyers say they want a deal, they really want to bid and buy in a market they have faith in....that will continue to be strong....and they have power when it's their time to sell!

Did you know if the interest rates increase 1% the monthly payment is 9% higher?  SMART BUYERS DO! So if they see 10% savings on top of low interest rates thay can see VALUE.  We all know the MONTHLY PAYMENT is what's most important for people when assessing what they can and cannot pay for a home-those buyers can see the opportunity, an have room left for more GOODIES!

Usually when sitting with sellers, we explore their needs and motivators- if they don't HAVE to sell it's probably better they stay put or lease out their property.  Not only does this become a great opportunity for someone else to pay your mortgage( see Laura for details)..but you can choose to sell when you feel the market is best.

In past emails we mentioned buying a coop can be risky in a declining market-why?  Because on three recent instances, those individuals are forced to sell- or do anything but sublet their property- which is such a SHAME because property has and will always be a GREAT LONG TERM INVESTMENT - remember, through the course of time property has steadily increased AND is one of the few tax shelters us normal humans have left!

Below is an intersting report- if you are SELLING, you can see what buyers feel is most important so you will be as competitive as possible and if you're buying....it's good to know what to buy for a better resale value AND to know how much competition you're up against!

Corcoran Consumer Report

So if you want to be on the SOLD list instead of the NOT SOLD list...call us.

If you want to hear how LEASING can save you thousands instead of SELLING now, call us.

If you want to BUY and you want a great professional-that can sniff out all the VALUE packed properties...call us!

...917 658 4755 for more market info too!

All the best,

The LDM Team

Laura Denise Milkowski,

Christina Prostano, Michael Beam

Q3 Corcoran Report and MARKET UPDATE!

It is my pleasure to enclose a copy of our Third Quarter 2008 Corcoran Report, a look at the current state of the Manhattan Real Estate market.  This report compares data based on deals that closed in 3Q 2008 (July 1 through September 30) with that of 3Q 2007.

The good news for Manhattan's homeowners is that Third Quarter closings held on to the values established in the last year.  The crises that have swept through the financial sector have not talked buyers or sellers out of their conviction in the value of property on Manhattan Island

...and people are looking at property long term, instead of as a flip.  Buyers’ ability to find financing is much tougher and has complicated their ability to purchase.  Unsurprisingly, sales activity retreated.  Meanwhile, sellers continue to perceive the value of their property headed upwards, and their position has frustrated buyers’ insistence on price negotiability....so we are at a temporary standstill-which is normal before we see a change.

The result has been significantly reduced sales (34% fewer deals closed this quarter than in the same quarter a year before), only small adjustments for prices among re-sales, and mostly higher prices for new developments – most of them signed one-to-two years ago.

As anyone following Manhattan’s market knows, the advent of new development sales has changed the landscape of our city and consumer enthusiasm for them remains strong; two out of five sales in the Third Quarter were in new development or mint condition properties.  To better illustrate their uniqueness and because of the disparity in their schedules from contract execution to closing, this quarter’s Corcoran Report looks at the re-sale and new development categories separately.

Corcoran has teamed up with PropertyShark.com, the industry leader in real estate information gathering, to collect comprehensive data about residential sales and to make sure that the report you are reading is the most complete you can find.

The Corcoran Report provides information based on median sale prices (the price halfway between the highest and lowest sale prices), and average price per square foot (the value of a specific unit of space), as well as a variety of other metrics. 

 

I have enclosed the Brooklyn report as well...as you can see from the listings below, we are busy there as well.

 

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the report; I would be glad to discuss it with you. 

Looking forward to speaking with you soon.

Corcoran 3rd Quarter 2008 Report

Brooklyn Mid Year 2008

Current Sales Listings

201 East 28th St #14E

93 Rapelye Street #4B Carroll Gardens Brooklyn

134 Lincoln Place #4 Park Slope Brooklyn

Current Rental Listings

265 West 94th St #7

220 East 60th St #7J

51 Charles Street #3

523 Third St  Brooklyn

All the Best,

The LDM Team Residential Real Estate Experts-

Laura Denise Milkowski, Christina Prostano and Michael Beam

What's UP?

What’s UP!

Well..I’ve been quite the busy little bee- check out my website-you will find the BLOG, a welcome message podcast and an interview with me on investing in Real Estate, in the media section… 

http://theldmteam.com/ldm_listings.html

Phew!  In addition, I was quoted twice in cyberhomes.com  http://www.cyberhomes.com/readingroom.aspx?article=realestatemarketing on marketing property

http://www.cyberhomes.com/readingroom.aspx?article=buyingfears on buyers fears

Hoping your summer and travels were wonderful and relaxing.  It feels great to be back and am excited for a very busy fall! Traditionally August is quiet in the sales market as people travel.  After Laror day, there has been a lot going on-the phone is ringing and people are back into the buying and leasing mode.  The fall is traditionally the second busiest time of the year.

People are motivated because there is more negotiability, rates are down and there are a host of new properties that just came on the market.  There are also many people waiting on the sidelines to see what will happen-admittedly, every time I went to send this out, it needed to be edited as there are so many changes taking place!

Even though there is fear, one of the biggest reasons people are buying is due to the Fannie Mae takeover.  Recently the interest rates decreased fueling a new interest for buyers and faith for those needing to sell!  The fear once in the air has lifted and people are getting back into ACTION!  It’s always better to own your own home and invest in yourself than in your landlord- right?  If you look at property as a LONG TERM Investment time and time again it’s proven to be an excellent investment..in yourself!

Below is an in depth piece from my mortgage expert friend Ezra Tawil at Apple Mortgage…

THE FANNIE MAE TAKEOVER: WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

What does the government's takeover of Fannie Mae mean for home buyers?   Well, the news had a positive effect on mortgage rates, as rates on a 30 year fixed dropped sharply to 6% & below.  But looking further out, especially for buyers in the NY Metro area, where property values are much higher than the national averages, the writing is clearly on the wall: the mortgage world is going to diverge into two distinct markets.  On the one hand will be "conforming" loans that will now be backed in some shape or form, by the US Government.   While this will soothe fears, it also comes with a price: loan limits that are way too low for the NY market.  The large money center banks, such as Citibank, Chase, & Wells Fargo, will phase out all lending except that which is backed by the government. In

Manhattan

, where the average price of an apartment is well over $1,000,000, this means that a very large percentage of buyers in

New York

will not qualify for these loans.     

That leaves the market open for what we may call the "niche" lenders: small to medium sized regional banks & local savings banks.  These are the lenders that never got caught up in the excesses of the go-go years; they have very strong balance sheets, & plenty of cash to put to use.  Since they hold their mortgages for their own investment portfolio, they do not need government backing.  The lenders who will dominate the

New York

market for these jumbo loans in coming years will be lenders such as: Astoria Federal, Ridgewood Savings, NCB, 

First

Republic

,

Hudson

Valley

, etc.  As government guidelines grow tighter, these lenders -  while guided by common sense -  will continue to lend on scenarios that are ordinary for NY, but exceptional on a national level: million dollar-plus loans, co-ops, condops, multi-families, foreign nationals, resident aliens, etc.        

In short, Chase, Wells Fargo & the others, will not be able to service the NY jumbo borrowers for much longer.  The best solution for these buyers is to use the services of a mortgage broker - not any company advertising in the newspaper, but one with the reputation, integrity, and established relationships with many of these "niche lenders."  Going forward, the guidance & resources of the top tier brokers will be essential to the successful completion of your real estate transactions.   -Ezra

The days of 100 or 105% financing are over.  Although we don’t see that much in NYC and

Brooklyn

, it’s not uncommon to see this in the suburbs.  Plan to see 80% financing for a first or second home or less going forward.  Investment properties will have higher down payments as well.

 We are going back to bank standards from a few years ago which quite frankly, are a lot safer.  Yes many of you know I am rather conservative and try to protect my customers because the possible damage of being so overleveraged can take many, many years to repair- along with the stress and heartache that go along with it.  Many of you know money problems are the biggest cause for divorce-don’t let this happen to you!

Many people don’t think we’ve hit bottom yet.  One thing to consider is how low the loan rates and under what terms they would be….if you are paying cash- YES- sit and wait…if not, it’s possible the interest rates increase rapidly-did you know a 1% increase in interest rates raises the cost to borrow the same amount by 17%-WOW! In addition, the abundant supply we have now may dry up…due to population increases and building and development drastically decreasing.

So, buy as much home as you can afford today, and have faith…property is one of the biggest and best investments you can make in yourself! If you need to sell now-leasing may be the better short term solution for you!

When you want to get the best deal when buying, selling or leasing in ANY market-call the LDM Team!

Need a service? Looking to buy/sell/lease outside of

Brooklyn

and NYC?

Contact us- We have tons of real estate professional contacts throughout NYC and overseas! Being well established in our business, we have tons of trusted resources that take the guesswork out- for you!

GO TO www.theLDMteam.com- you will hear a live welcome message, and live interview on properties in the MORE section- ENJOY!

LABOR DAY GREETINGS....

As promised, the charming West Village Carriage House is now on the market( see below)...feel free to contact me for a preview even if you're just curious...

For those of you who know someone who is looking to sell...there's still some prep time to prepare for the second most popular selling season- FALL!  Have them call me for some money making tips to get the best price for their property.  There are many simple, easy tasks that can makke a BIG DIFFERENCE. Many of you don't know this, but I offer a complimentary cleanup session to assist in getting the property in TIP TOP shape...yes- LDM in sweats helping busy sellers scrub, clean, organize and dump(yes, it's a pretty funny sight)- so it gets done quickly, painlessly, and is alot less overwhelming- THAT'S TLC!

We are approaching Labor Day- traditionally a quiet time as people are traveling...so we hope you have some time reserved to take off and RELAX.  Hopefully a trip to the beach and some BBQ is in place! You will be receiving your next Real EState tidbits piece on September 16, 2008!

If you know any individuals considering selling-or leasing- we have great SOLUTIONS THEY WILL LOVE and will save them $$$-so have them call me! By hiring us, the landlords of the below properties get great tenants for the best price...and we do all of the work!

Feel free to call me to hear about the latest market conditions from someone who lives, eats and breathes them everyday!

Click on the hyper link below for more information. If you see anything that interests you or people in your circle, don't hestitate to forward.

LATEST RENTALS

254 West 4th Street Carriage House

49 Morton Street #2A

237 East 88th St #404

133 Hancock St #2  Brooklyn, NY

 

Regards,

Laura Denise Milkowski-Christina Prostano-Michael Beam

The LDM Team   ldm@corcoran.com 917 658 4755  www.theLDMTeam.com

BABY BUGGY FRIENDLY!

It’s amazing to see how

Brooklyn

has grown. As is true for all of

New York

, more and more people are opting to stay in the city instead of moving to the suburbs, and the presence of all these new families is being felt. Seventh Avenue in Park Slope has long been known as “baby carriage boulevard,” but it’s become the norm to see more and more strollers in places like

Williamsburg

and Dumbo, long considered strongholds of the young and cool (and often single!).  In my 31 unit-building alone, there are three babies close to the same age.  Even Christina on the team recently had a baby! Baby-friendly restaurants and children’s stores continue to pop up as they cater to the endless demand for all things kids. Lines like Pomme, Half Pint and Wonderthreads do baby clothes New York-style. If you don’t know Wonderthreads, check them out (www.wonderthreads.com) - I bet you’ve seen these onesies and T’s (designed by my friend Diana) at many of your favorite stores and on babies and kids all over downtown NYC and

Brooklyn

.

Even in

Brooklyn

neighborhoods traditionally known for warehouses and industrial buildings, there are family- and pet-friendly places - quiet, calm streets to stroll, great spots for ice cream and other treats, and child-friendly shops and restaurants – some even have play areas! The parks are full of children and new mothers sitting on the grass having a picnic and swapping stories and resources. 

Manhattan

is so close…yet feels far enough away to escape some of the chaos!

Are you guessing where I’m going with this?  Many people who are starting a family need to give up their old home for one with a lot more space…and hopefully something that’s affordable!  Buying your first home, or selling and finding a new home is on the top 10 stressors list, as is having a baby. The LDM team works with tons of expecting and new mothers and know what they need and when.  Most of them just want a quiet and safe environment, with full access to the services and options they are used to living in NYC and, of course, MORE SPACE. With the arrival of children, the home becomes even more important as people start spending more of their time there.

Many of the mothers we are working with also work at home. This brings an additional bit of stress, because they need to have more space, a private space to separate work, and feel like they have a place they can “get away from their work” too!  They also need a great nanny and daycare to free up some of their time to be able to get tasks accomplished and take care of themselves. My friend Kim DeYoung, of metromom.com, is an expert on home-based business solutions for moms. She recommends that moms have an actual “office” they can work out of - even if it needs to be created out of sheetrock, it’s imperative. This way you can shut the door when you need to really focus or make an important work call. It also makes it easier when you can psychologically shut the door to your work and focus on family time. Her website is full of other tips and you can join to relate to other Moms with full schedules.

Feeling stressed?  Shannon Sodano at Arbonne has a great Belly Balm for expecting mothers and a Baby Bath kit for newborns. They make great gifts. My girlfriends who are new mothers LOVE both! In addition she has several spa, anti-aging and detox products to keep you feeling young and rejuvenated. She can be reached at 201 919 8538

Many non-working moms need a lot of TLC too - some of the most desired elements we understand they need (besides a foot and back massage):

QUIET- the baby needs to sleep at odd hours of the day…as should Mommy!

ELEVATOR or even better- DOORMAN - the fewer steps into the building the better – something to think about when you have to lug the groceries, baby buggy, and baby up the stairs?

SPACE - Where on earth are we going to find the space for a baby’s room…AND all of their toys?

PROXIMITY TO A PARK - A place to meet other moms and babies and get out of the house.

Being able to relate to the individuals we work with is our claim to fame, and provides them with the TLC they need and when they least expect it- to make their lives so much easier.  Want the same?

Need recommendations for:

Prenatal Yoga-Massage Therapy-Schools-Day Care-Nannies-Organic Delivery-Baby Bath Products-Painters(the baby’s room needs to be decorated, right?) Financial Planners for 529 Plans, Life Insurance, Movers…and MORE?

Being well established in our business, we have tons of trusted resources that take the guesswork out- for you!

GO TO www.theLDMteam.com- you will hear a live welcome message, and live interview on properties in the MEDIA section- ENJOY!

 

Compliments of Laura Denise Milkowski, Christina Prostano-

The LDM Team Real Estate consultant and experts.  For more information, email  LDM@corcoran.com  www.theLDMteam.com

PET FRIENDLY….OR NOT?

"Thank you for finding me my new home…I know it was tough with my Golden Retriever, Pomeranian and 2 cats!" - JWW

Many of you have pets, or have friends with pets.  Whether you love or hate them….they are in our everyday lives and can make a significant difference in where you can move…depending on size, temperament and breed! Many coops and condominiums in the area you are looking to buy or lease all have different policies and it can be a big feat, especially if you have a large dog, more than 1 dog or an aggressive breed.

Recently we purchased a puppy, and I made sure she was under the acceptable board guidelines…and since I’m on the board, I better follow the rules, right?  One of the biggest and important questions I ask individuals when buying or leasing is, do you have any pets?  IF yes, what kind and how many?  Are they fixed?  Are they well behaved/trained enough to pass a board meeting?

One of the biggest bits of advice I give people while buying besides not quitting their job, is don’t get another pet- this can limit your search tremendously….and possibly create a board turndown- because that new or additional pooch or kitty may be non-qualified. Usually seasoned pet owners know in small spaces, there are limitations but a new pet owner could be in for a very big surprise!

As an example, I had particular clients who could only put 10% down- therefore a condo was most suited.  In addition, they had 2 large dogs( over 75 lbs).  I ran a building search and showed them how many buildings out of ALL the buildings in THE DESIRED AREA fit their criteria- and there weren’t too many so then we discussed price. They were blown away that out of the HUNDREDS of buildings, there were so few allowing big dogs! Usually when people have pets we target the specific buildings as a priority and then the price and size.  Many people will search on NYTimes.com, though the information isn’t clear on if it really fits your needs except that it looks good.  A GREAT agent will know this and save you a lot of time and headaches!  There’s no reason to see a unit in a building that doesn’t allow large dogs – if you have large dogs right?

First off, let’s start with the WHY- Coops and condo’s are usually multi level, multi unit buildings.  They are actually a community within a community….and we all know everyone has different ideas of acceptable ways of living.

While a well trained dog can be more pleasant than an unruly neighbor, many people fear the following:

*  Noise                                                                                                             

*  “Accidents” in public areas                                                                               

*  Allergies                                                                                                         

* Jumping up                                                                                                                      

*  Overcrowding common areas                                                                            

*  Scaring small Children                                                                                       

*  Biting

One of the biggest complaints from other unit owners is smells and excessive barking- torture for someone who works at home.  Another big one is overcrowding- in the elevators and common areas.  Many buildings instruct pet owners to take them out in the freight elevator to avoid crowding- especially in high traffic hours.  Accidents can be very costly to repair or maintain in a building. I’ve seen many buildings have cameras and fine the individual in order not to affect the entire buildings costs. Some pups although meaning to b e friendly may jump on small children or nip…which is a lot more painful to the tender skin of a child-and a lot more fearful. Many individuals suffer from mild to intense allergies- even to hypoallergenic cats and dogs, because the saliva and dander isn’t hypoallergenic- so a simple pat on the head to one could be almost deadly to another unfortunately.

Cats can be unruly if they’re in heat, or spray if not fixed or kept well.  It may not seem like a big deal until it’s you who suffer the consequences.  Earlier in my career I’ll never forget a unit which had 4 cats…and the owner let them hang out in the hallways….how do you think it smelled?  What do you think the buyers of the neighboring apartment for sale thought? It sounds mean until you hear some real life stories…and it’s a shame because the pets tend not to be the issue. Proper pet care- good training, day care and following the house rules can make a building with many furry friends a welcome environment.

Want to live at peace?  Ask a lot of questions- sit in the lobby in evening hours and talk to residents…its not just about allowing pets- its how people accept the pets-especially in neighboring units.

Compliments of Laura Denise Milkowski, Christina Prostano, Michael Beam-  The LDM Team Real Estate consultant and experts.  For more information, email  LDM@corcoran.com www.theLDMteam.com

GO TO www.theLDMteam.com- you will hear a live welcome message, and live interview on properties in the MORE section- ENJOY!

HOT OFF THE PRESS-Q2 MARKET STATS< PROPERTY GUIDE AND TAX INFO!

Hi All,

Entertaining...Maybe- IMPORTANT...DEFINITELY!

Read on....

#1- In the link below, you will find the Q2 corcoran report- HOT OFF THE PRESS! 

In the report you will find sales activity retreating from a record-setting year in 2007.  The Second Quarter displayed much of the segmentation and stalemate that have become trademarks of the current residential real estate market.  The crises that have swept through the financial sector and the broad concerns about the American housing market have created a climate of uncertainty in which buyers have sought greater concessions from sellers as active inventory has risen steadily.  Meanwhile, sellers continue to perceive the value of their property headed upwards, and their intransigence has frustrated buyers’ insistence on price negotiability. 

The result has been significantly reduced sales (38% less deals closed this quarter than in the same quarter a year before), mixed results for prices among re-sales, but markedly higher prices for new developments – most of them signed one-to-two years ago.

As anyone following

NYC's

market knows, the advent of new development sales has changed the landscape of our city and consumer enthusiasm for them seems unquenchable; fully one-third of all sales in the Second Quarter were in new development properties.  To better illustrate their uniqueness and because of the disparity in their schedules from contract execution to closing, this quarter’s Corcoran Report looks at the re-sale and new development categories separately.

Next to the report, click onto the Properties for Living Catalog...If you want to view any  of the properties...please let me know-I'll schedule a private appointment!

http://corcoran.com/guides/index.aspx

If the link doesn't work, please copy and paste into your browser.

#2- NEW TAX INFO....

It seems to be inevitable that the only place taxes and many other itesm can go is UP...luckily its a small amount.

On June 29, 2008, the City Council officially adopted the

NYC

budget for fiscal year 2008/2009.  As part of that action they adopted real property tax rates for the upcoming fiscal year.  However, as a result of the late date for passing the city budget, the real property tax bills that were sent out earlier this month (mid-June) were based on last year’s tax rate. 

Real property tax bills received later this year (in either October or January) will reflect the fiscal year 2008/2009 real property tax rate and any adjustment to your annual real property tax liability.

Here are the real property tax rates (per $100 of taxable assessed value) for this fiscal year 2008/2009 that begins on July 1 and the last fiscal year 2007/2008.

   

                                                                   2008/2009              2007/2008                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

                        Tax Class                                           Tax Rates                   Tax Rates

Class 1 (Single family homes)                                       15.605                         15.434

Class 2 (Residential condo, coop rental)                       12.139                         11.928

Class 3 (Utilities)                                                         11.698                         11.577

Class 4 (All other property/offices)                                 9.870                         10.059

The GOOD NEWS IS....

If you are buying, August- (a very slow month) is ahead of us...

a GREAT time to negotiate and bid, so get ready to find those deals!

Compliments of Laura Denise Milkowski- The LDM Team

Laura Denise Milkowski, Christina Prostano, Michael Beam

www.theLDMteam.com 917 658 4755  LDM@corcoran.com

ART, APARTMENTS or BOTH?

“Laura’s advice was priceless- she advised me to turn my home into an investment property, and I deferred hundreds of thousands of dollars of capital gains.”  -hw

Similarities…

*Both good investments

*Both can be traded via 1031 Exchange

*Both make you feel proud

On many occasions, I hear clients say…wow- this wall space will be great for my art or my art collection.  In market where square footage is at such a premium, there are square feet dedicated solely to the appreciation of art.  What this means is, long hallways, foyers and gallery entries which may seem wasteful to some buyers- are a heartfelt gem to others…just another example that there is a shoe for every foot in this market!  Now, that doesn’t mean all the shoes are Manolo’s!  We buy what we love, what makes us happy and what we can afford or create ourselves!  Decorating your home makes you feel good and makes a home show well when it’s time to resell- so put that wall space to good use!

We the public love hearing about record breaking prices for art…and apartments- see where I’m going here? There are indeed many individuals looking for apartments solely to house their priceless collection- I certainly wish I was that lucky! It is now common to see middle class investors enjoy much of the same fruit which was once exclusively reserved for the exceptionally affluent.  No longer are ubiquitous posters spotted on the walls of spacious living spaces, but authentic artwork, an investment in and of itself, is appointed within their home.  The obvious marriage between the two investments, art and real-estate are self explanatory.  Why buy that spectacular painting without an appropriate show-case for it?  And once you have that amazing apartment, further show your good taste by exhibiting your art collection.

Some other interesting similarities brought by my friend Ellen Callamari,

President of Callamari Fine Art.   She is an art advisor specializing in Post-War and Contemporary Art, providing both art advisory services as well as appraisals.  We were having coffee and were discussing how investment properties and art can be traded through a 1031 exchange (email me for more information on this) to defer taxes on the increased value it has yielded-this means out of pocket savings today of thousands, if of hundreds of thousands!

How do you do this?  Here is a very general description for property….

Move out of your home, lease it out for 2 years. Sell it and buy something of the same value and lease it out for a minimum of one year. For both art and property the owner sells at an increased in value and within 45 days, must identify a replacement property or piece of art of equal or greater value OR name up to three whose values add up to equal or greater value of the sale and go to close within 180 days.  The capital gains on the profit from the original property or artwork is deferred.

I hope you have enjoyed these tips and welcome any questions you may have.

Feel free to email me with further questions at LDM@corcoran.com

Email me to join my elist AND to receive a copy of “How to Enhance the Value of Your Home in One Weekend”.

Compliments of Laura Denise Milkowski   The LDM Team Real Estate, consultant and expert.  For more information, email  LDM@corcoran.com