Cooperator - Articles - Buying & Selling

Changes in Lead Law

no@spam.com (Marianna Koval, Esq.) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 09:02:07 EDT

If you thought asbestos was a problem, wait until you hear about lead. Found in 57 million private homes in the United States (two million in New York City), lead-based paint poisons young children, reduces IQs, and causes learning disabilities, hyperactivity, and behavioral problems.

The Buyer's Guide

no@spam.com (Carol E. Levy) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:15:04 EDT

If you’re contemplating buying a new home, there are a few vital questions that should be asked, even before you start attending open houses and getting your heart set on one property or another. Among those questions might be, “How do I start the process?” “What can I afford?” “Does the right home exist in my budget?” “Should I buy a co-op, condo or townhouse?” “Will I be approved for financing?” “Will I be approved by a co-op board?”

Apartments that Sell

no@spam.com (Carol E. Levy) — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 10:55:08 EDT

The vast majority of co-ops and condos that are put on the market are not in picture-perfect shape for a rapid and high-priced sale. Prospective buyers, who view those apartments, often cannot see beyond the superficial defects and so fail to appreciate an apartment's potential. It is essential, therefore, that before an apartment is put on the market, it is made to look as attractive as possible. This is called staging, an essential step toward ensuring that an apartment does not stay on the market for an inordinately long period of time and is sold for the highest possible price. There are two categories of staging: primary and secondary, and each contains five subcategories, all of which are prerequisites, if staging is to achieve the desired results.

Making the Sale

no@spam.com (Keith Loria) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 15:07:54 EDT

The co-op and condo market in New York City has been booming for some time now, so when properties go on sale, it's not very difficult to find a buyer. It doesn't really matter if it's a sprawling penthouse in a hot neighborhood or a small studio on an out-of-the-way street - if it's got four walls and running water (and sometimes even that is negotiable) your unit will sell.

Top Dozen Reasons for Co-op Board Rejections

no@spam.com (Carol E. Levy) — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 15:59:53 EDT

Before even beginning the hunt for that perfect co-op, the prospective buyer should be familiar with all the possible ways one's application might be rejected. That familiarity will enable one to focus on the appropriate buildings as well as to make the necessary adjustments so that rejection will not occur.

Decorating with Feng Shui

no@spam.com (Denton Tarver) — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 15:22:42 EDT

Ever wonder why you suddenly get a feeling of relaxation and tranquility upon entering certain spaces, and your blood goes cold in others? Why some homes just feel happy and harmonious the moment you cross the threshold, and others just don't?

Choosing A Broker

no@spam.com (Barbara Wagner) — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 09:15:42 EDT

After 20 years in an English Tudor in Westchester's Pelham, Bobbi and Warner Burke decided it was time to "wake up in the heart of Manhattan. We wanted chaos, color and vibrancy where we lived," says Bobbi. Without any leads for brokers, Bobbi-who had been reading the real estate section of the newspaper for a year in anticipation of a move-went into the city and visited The Corcoran Group's Upper East Side location. "I just hit the agency cold," Burke recalls. She was hooked up with Inge LaSousa, a Corcoran broker who happened to be available at that moment. "We started to look at properties that day," says Burke.

Cover Story: Selling One Home to Buy Another

no@spam.com (Diana Mosher) — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 15:07:59 EDT

You've planned carefully so that you'll be ready to close on the apartment you're selling just as you take possession of the apartment you're buying. Even though the new place isn't yours yet, you've already begun renovating and decorating it in your mind's eye. Then you get the bad news that a higher bidder has snatched "your" home out from under you. Unfortunately, it's too late to decide not to sell the co-op you live in. There's no turning back and the likelihood of finding another great apartment seems unlikely. Even worse, you begin to worry that you and your belongings will wind up out on the street or camped out in a relative's guest room. What are your options and are there any steps that buyers who are also sellers can take to avoid this and other nightmarish scenarios?

Essential Qualities

no@spam.com (Carol E. Levy) — Thu, 31 May 2007 15:59:07 EDT

Whether you're buying or selling a condo or co-op, the goal is to engage a real estate broker who will get you the best price or the best apartment in the shortest period of time. Unless you already work in the real estate industry, you likely will not have an ongoing relationship with an individual broker. When engaging a broker—either as a buyer or a seller—there are 10 essential qualities to look for when seeking a superior broker.

I Want My RE-TV

no@spam.com (Lisa Iannucci) — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 16:05:30 EDT

Several years ago, the only television shows on buying and selling real estate were late-night or Sunday morning agonizing, yet tantalizing, infomercials touting get-rich-quick products. These shows taught viewers that by simply buying the product, purchasing property at no- or low-cost, they could reap the financial rewards of homeownership.