Blog

Managing Clients’ Expectations In A Seller’s Market – Part 2/2

Residential Real Estate Attorney Guide Seller Expectation

In my last issue I wrote about managing a client’s expectations in order to avoid turning a happy client into an unhappy (non-referral source) one. Here are a few rules I have come up with to put that plan into effect. Be careful about telling a buyer we have a deal: We know that a …

READ MORE
Posted in Broker Tips, Condominium, General | Leave a comment

Managing Clients’ Expectations in a Seller’s Market: Part 1/2

Selling Real Estate Residential Real Estate Lawyer

Most real estate clients start out happy. And if we’re good, most of those clients who start out happy will end the transaction happy also, which of course is the foundation of a successful career in any service business that requires referrals to grow. But what about those real estate clients who end up dissatisfied, …

READ MORE
Posted in Broker Tips, General | Leave a comment

Navigating the Financing Contingency in a Competitive Market

Residential Real Estate Attorney Guide Financing Contingency

Although financing contingencies are becoming less common in this competitive market, they are still an important term that often is part of the final contract. But it’s important to avoid some common mistakes when negotiating these provisions or your client could end up inadvertently putting themselves in a compromised position. Loan To Value It Too …

READ MORE
Posted in Broker Tips, Buyer Tips, General | Leave a comment

Three NYC Real Estate Myths

Residential Real Estate Guide NYC Myth

Ask two economists the same question, and you’ll get three different answers. Real estate can be the same way. It’s easy for clients to get sidetracked in a fast moving market like ours. Buyers and sellers are inundated with experts offering their advice loudly from any forum that will take them. It’s important that real …

READ MORE
Posted in Broker Tips, Buyer Tips, Co-op, General, Seller Tips | Leave a comment

Comparing Offers in a Seller’s Market

Comparing Offers in a Seller’s Market

One of my sellers called me the other day and happily announced that she had a buyer and asked me to prepare the contract. “Great I said, and by the way, how many offers did you get?” “We had 3 she replied, so we picked the highest one,” she proudly responded. “Are they financing?” I …

READ MORE
Posted in Broker Tips, General, Seller Tips | 1 Comment

An Exchanger’s Guide to Boot

Residential Real Estate Attorney Exchangers Guide

A like-kind or 1031 exchange is a powerful tactic to create enormous wealth over an investor’s lifetime. We discuss the rules regularly here in this forum, but one of the most common questions that causes confusion is the concept of “boot.” Let’s start with the basics, what is boot? Most of us have traded in …

READ MORE
Posted in 1031 Exchange, General, Mortgage | 1 Comment

When Foreigners Sell

Residential Real Estate Lawyer Guide Selling Real Estate

One of the nice things about selling real estate in New York is that even those who have never had to file a tax return before get to file one. What could be better than that! Like everything else in our market, the rules are complicated. Let’s simplify it. New York State: Individuals (and trusts …

READ MORE
Posted in Broker Tips, General, Seller Tips, Taxes | 2 Comments

Before the Renovation Begins

Residential Real Estate Lawyer Guide Renovation Apartment

With the epic shortage of inventory in the NYC market comes the inevitable resurgence of one of the most traumatic of housing endeavors: the renovation. In the post-Lehman buyer’s market renovations fell out of favor, with home buyers opting instead for finished products. But with the rapid turnaround of the recent year, once again buyers …

READ MORE
Posted in Buyer Tips, General, Renovations | Leave a comment

Preparing for the Appraisal

Preparing for the Appraisal

One of my sellers called me the other day and said she was waiting for the appraiser to show up from the buyer’s bank. “Is the broker coming?” I asked. “No, should he be?” was her questioning response. Yes. And don’t come empty handed. Financing is the trickiest part of today’s transactions, and the appraisal …

READ MORE
Posted in Broker Tips, General | Leave a comment

Success in 2013: Build on What We Learned in 2012

Residential Real Estate Lawyer Guide 2012

The name of the first month of the year comes from the Roman God Janus, who is depicted with a head of two faces, one looking forward, the other backward. That’s appropriate as we enter the new year. Let’s learn from the past to build success in the new year. Here are a few lessons …

READ MORE
Posted in Broker Tips, Buyer Tips, General, Seller Tips | Leave a comment