kaulat

Sorry for the delay in new posts, but travel to the Carolinas, an infuriating computer meltdown, and a mini-vacation to Nicaragua have kept me away. But I'll soon be back home refreshed, sunburned, and ready to indulge in some RE in the LBC action.

There's not a lot on paper going on, but I can assure you homes are selling! I had a brokers' open today at my lovely Highland Ave home (open Saturday , 12:00 to 2:00 during Winterfest) and everyone was talking about what's selling and what great homes are for sale. There are currently 117 active listings in the Skaneateles area. This does not include those listings in the Skaneateles School District that the agents, for whatever reason, have listed solely in surrounding towns like Spafford and Sennett. One new listing came on this week: new construction in Butters Farm for the amazing low price of under $400,000. Not large, but a ranch. Interesting. One home officially has been marked contingent this week, a new listing that came on since the first of the year and was scooped up by a lucky buyer who apparently beat out other offers. Another that was never marked contingent went immediately to pending. Both are in the higher range (above $400,000). Not a single home ...

Now the Realtor arrives! You've done your best, the house is immaculate, and you have set aside a couple hours without the TV and minimal distractions to speak with a professional. This is an important moment - to go forth and sell or back off and think some more. But if you've done what I suggested up to this point then you will more than likely continue the process. I can only speak for myself about this part. I know some Realtors come in with the list of what they've sold, tell you what to do and sign you up on the spot. They tell you the price your house will sell for and for the life of me I don't know how they do that. It always seems odd to me that anyone can know, but many Realtors say they do. Not getting that price 99% of the time doesn't seem to faze them. If you've decided that I am The One, I will tour the house, make suggestions minimally (because after all, you probably have done it already) and listen to your suggestions. If you are will...

All right - so I'm late a day....there was this historic inauguration and I stayed glued to the TV... then wrote an offer, took a listing...little things like that....but I apologize! There are currently 121 active listings in the Skaneateles area of the multiple listing service. An amazing 10 of them are new this week - well, 8 are brand new, 2 are re-lists. A further breakdown shows three in the village and the rest in the town, with one of these in the Marcellus School District. If you come from outside upstate New York you might be surprised to see this overlap, but it exists everywhere. You could be in Cayuga County, Skaneateles Schools, Town of Sennett and have an Auburn (or Skaneateles) phone exchange. There were no new sales in either the contingent or pending areas, but thankfully my lovely 11 Onondaga is now officially pended because the commitment came through to everyone. I can say with good conviction that the sellers and buyers and agents involved are thrilled! W...

There's a scene in Die Hard when Hans Gruber, after noticing during his first encounter with John McClane that our erstwhile hero was barefoot, orders his henchmen to "Shoot zee glass." Hans knew if the bullets couldn't stop the gruff New York cop then the glass certainly couldn't, but he was fully aware that at the very least, it would make Officer McClane's life miserable should he manage to avoid being riddled with hot lead. John makes it out alive, but as Hans calculatingly predicted, McClane's feet became so plugged with jagged shards of glass that he was unable to walk on his profusely bleeding feet. He drags himself into a Nakatomi Towers bathroom and, much to the audience's gut-wrenching horror, begins slowly pulling out huge chunks of glass as he winces from the incredible pain. Brutal. I bring this up because pulling postage stamp-sized shards of glass out of your flesh reminds me of what it must be like trying to sell this house: Jul 07, 20...

I just got back from a fun night at Legends featuring lobster rolls, cold beers, and good company...what more could you ask for? Well, I guess a Belmont Shore house walking distance from 2nd Street would be a good start. Which reminds me, the perpetually awesome KatyinLBC updated us on the never ending saga of the Problematic Puke Palace on Park: Just in case you are looking for a place to rent, you are in luck, they put this one on craigslist: http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/apa/999475600.html And it's still on redfin. lol Not only are they so delusional that they're still asking $2.25 Million after 523 days on market, but now they believe they can get $6750 per month in rent. In this economy. For this eyesore. Hilarious! The problem with sellers offering to lease their home while simultaneously trying to sell it is that they show all their cards. They just revealed to any potential buyer with access to a Texas Instruments calculator that purchasing this house, as opposed...

This isn't really part of the "How to Sell a House" series, but it fits in well. I have to write it tonight because of its timeliness, but remember it when we get to that section of the series. I listed a home this week that is about as close to being staged and decorated as you can get. It's not really staged because the people live there and enjoy the comforts of the home while they readied it for sale. The difference between this home and a newer home is that the owners took an early 60s split level and transformed the interior, but left the primary structure of the house. To see it from the outside you wouldn't imagine the interior being as warm and inviting as it is. And colorful! I don't want to describe it and set up either false expectations or diminish the emotional impression it will make on you. Just come and see it on Sunday, 12:00 to 2:00 (the Eagles play at 3:00 - go Donovan!) during the open house. The basics: 4 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, hardwo...

It's wholly unrelated to Long Beach real estate, but I just had to share this. Two of my favorite things in the world, Jay-Z and Radiohead, have been combined into one clever, impressive package: Friends, I present Jaydiohead (Check it out before he gets served with a cease and desist) . Anyhow, back to real estate. Address: 1310 E OCEAN Blvd #105 Asking Price: $250,000 Year Built: 1984 Size: 1 bed, 1 bath, 1,000 sq. ft. $/Sq. Ft.: $250 MLS#: R810999 On Redfin: 16 days Down Payment: $50,000 Monthly Payment: $2,000 Income Requirement: $71,000 Description: FINALLY! A DEAL ON OCEAN BLVD. DIRECT ACCESS TO THE BEACH, CENTRALLY LOCATED NEAR BELMONT SHORE, THE PIKE, PINE ST, EAST VILLAGE, BELMONT SHORE, NAPLES AREA AND A BIKE RIDE AWAY TO SHORELINE VILLAGE AND THE AQUARIUM. OR TAKE A SHORT WALK TO COFFEE SHOPS, RESTAURANTS AND SHOPS. UNIT INCLUDES: LAUNDY FACILITY, CABLE AND INTERNET READY , TILE COUNTERTOPS WITH TILE FLOORING WITH NICE OPEN FLOORPLAN WONDERFUL AMMENITIES: STATE OF THE A...

You've done your homework, tentatively selected a Realtor or two, and now you need to get your house ready. If it seems early in the process, you may agree with me that this is an important step after reading what I have in mind. There are three main categories, to keep it simple. First, get rid of all that clutter you have around the house. Go through each room and seriously put away or throw out everything you don't use on a daily basis - and even that can be put out of sight. The condition of a home sells the home these days as much (almost) as location and price. This doesn't mean that you have to make decisions about Aunt Elspeth's china cat that she gave you for your communion. Put it away - Home Depot, Lowe's, Crate and Barrel make fine organizers. If you start thinking too hard you will be there forever. Trust me. I have been there and done that. If this is an estate and there are several people who need to go over things, this method works very wel...

This will be short and sweet....I hope sweet, maybe just simple. There are currently 108 active listings in the Skaneateles area for single family residences. There were two new ones listed in the past week. One is lake rights in the mid-400s and in the village to boot. The other is my beautiful listing at 1 Ramble Wood, again in the village. Our price is $535,000 for "The Finest in Village Living"! It really is lovely - just the right size and built in 1997. Call for a showing - several have already! One property was marked contingent this past week. It is new construction outside of the village and listed in the mid-300s. New construction seems to have taken the biggest hit in the past year. Homes are just not selling the way they used to in the good old days despite - or perhaps because of - the new developments. It's not true elsewhere, however. I know Ryan Homes have almost sold out their Country Creek development in Warners. My clients were the second on...

You know that familiar lie about the importance of buying right now because of the influx of rich foreign investors coming ashore to snap up all the good properties? Well, I actually think the Kool-Aid drinkers are right about that one. Except the foreigners aren't coming here to buy properties. No, apparently they're here to sell them: Great Opportunity to live in one of Long Beach's most fine apartment buildings. The 'International Tower' with a view of the Queen Mary, Marina, and the Ocean. This is a true meteropolitian experience. "meteropolitian"? Two typos in one word?! Boy, with a listing description like that, I'm shocked some Sony executive hasn't flown in on his G4 to swoop this place up. Good lord, after 264 days you'd think the six-percenter would spruce the listing up a bit, no? And, oh, I dunno, ADD A FREAKING PHOTO OR TWO . Dude, I shouldn't have to tell you this, but foreigners live in foreign lands--the Internet is a handy ...

I recently received an e-mail from Redfin that caught my eye--in a good way for a change. This condo gives me hope for the day when hard working Americans can afford a nice property they can be proud of, without becoming permanent debt slaves or facing financial ruination. Address: 2662 E 2nd St. #F2, 90803 Asking Price: $309,000 Size: 2 beds, 2 baths, 1,275 sq. ft. (built in 1966) $/Sq. Ft.: $242 HOA Fee: $224 MLS#: P670402 On Redfin: 4 days Down Payment: $61,800 Monthly Payment: $1,900 Income Requirement: $88,000 Description: Don't miss this beautiful opportunity in the Tiarra Imperial complex in the heart of Bluff Park historical district. Features include: very open and light floorplan, hardwood floors, completely remodeled kitchen with travertine counters, peach travertine flooring, and high end stainless appliances. This unit also boasts a master suite with private bath, INSIDE LAUNDRY, spacious, south facing balcony with city views! Designer appointments throughout! Hurry, t...

You've done all your homework - looked on the internet, gone to an open house or two, and thought about what you're doing and why. You are ready to go - or at least close. It's time to call in a Realtor. I know the draw of doing it yourself - being a For Sale By Owner (FSBO) - and I would have agreed with you before I became a Realtor, but I don't any more. I have seen the difference a professional makes in a transaction. It's not just the sale of the house, but all the nitty-gritty that goes along with it. In the business the thought is that only 25% of the entire sale is the finding/marketing of the home. There is so much more. And welcome to New York! We have paperwork and more paperwork, attorneys for everyone and rules and regulations. You need someone who can cut through it all, direct traffic as it were. Some people who have had bad experiences never recommend the ancillary personnel - the mortgage person, the inspector, attorneys. I do - because I ...

I thought as I started researching this afternoon that interesting information for this update would be minimal. However, I should have consulted my own busy past couple of days - two listing appointments, one commitment letter (hooray!), a rental, and a sale. Great start to the new year! There are currently only (I love " only !") 107 listings in the Skaneateles area. Many probably expired at the end of the year - a logical endpoint - and haven't yet returned to the market. The one new property that came on is a magnificent waterfront home priced under 2 million. Just because it's winter, don't think that waterfront doesn't sell! There are three new properties marked contingent, all with some form of lake access. They range from the list price of $300,000 to under 2 million. Some have been on years, the middle-priced one only months. But again, it looks as if waterfront will have another great year. There was a late addition to the closed properties f...

First, do your homework. It's all about preparation, some of it financial but a lot of it is motivational. Why are you selling? Sit down and think about it. If it takes two seconds (you've been transferred to the North Pole and you leave Monday) then so be it. If it's for other reasons - down-sizing, a better home, because you're tired of it - they will all play into your motivation to sell. And they will come back and influence what you do and how you do it. So stretch out on the couch or sit at the kitchen table and write down exactly why you are selling. Make a list if need be. But know why you are doing this. Hone it into a simple sentence that will become your mantra over the long months ahead. This is a process and preparation is key. You want to be fully informed so that when the house goes on the market and suddenly a buyer appears you are not thrown into panic. Or as the months stretch out you can reflect that you did the work initially and something...

A vast majority of properties selling in Long Beach are at, or below, 2004 pricing. This is consistent with national price declines as well . Before I go any further, does anyone out there disagree with that? Anyone? Okay, just making sure we're all on the same page (read: planet earth). So, within the context of that premise, I'd like to highlight a particularly delusional Long Beach seller who believes the Great Housing Crash never happened, and that he is immune from the reality of 2004 pricing. Address: 2425 E 5th St #1, 90804 Asking Price: $349,126 Size: 2 beds, 1 bath, 840 sq. ft. (built in 1971) $/Sq. Ft.: $416 HOA Fee: $120 MLS#: P664704 On Redfin: 51 days Down Payment: $70,000 Monthly Payment: $2,100 Income Requirement: $100,000 Description: NEWLY REMODELED - READY TO MOVE IN NOW 2 BEDROOM CONDO, new kitchen & bathroomwith beautiful tile floors, Kohler Executive Chef sink, Kenmore convection oven and cooktop, new butcher block counter tops, dishwasher & venthoo...

A quick update of a quickie post : Here is the original post: Address: 207 E Broadway #301, 90802 Asking Price: $553,000 Size: 1 beds, 2 baths, 1310 sq. ft. (built in 1925) $/Sq. Ft.: $422 HOA Fee: $327 MLS#: S537137 On Redfin: 153 days Down Payment: $110,600 Monthly Payment: $3,700 Income Requirement: $158,000 Description: SHORT SALE APPROVED AT $553,000! Well, considering it was priced $4,000 cheaper for 150 days AND STILL FAILED TO GARNER ANY BUYING INTEREST...best of luck with that! * * * * * * * As I suspected would happen, that approved short sale price didn't attract a buyer. The new pricing is indicative of serious capitulation, as the short sale asking price has been reduced by a mammoth $103,000 trying to nab a buyer. That's a helluva haircut! Here is the updated listing information: Address: 207 E Broadway #301, 90802 Asking Price: $450,000 Size: 1 beds, 2 baths, 1310 sq. ft. (built in 1925) $/Sq. Ft.: $324 HOA Fee: $327 MLS#: S537137 On Redfin: 197 days New Down Pa...

That title sounds pretentious, doesn't it? I have to admit that I don't have the magic wand that makes all houses sell, but I have worked well and successfully in the business for a number of years and I know what seems to work most of the time. Some of it I've already laid out, but starting in the new year - Happy New Year, by the way! - I plan to be more organized. Part of that is a series on selling and buying homes. I'll still write the Skaneateles Real Estate Weekly Update, usually on Tuesday, and an occasional House of the Week, but I resolved to write more blogs. This is one way to accomplish that goal. Not to mention, I hope, helping prospective sellers and buyers. One word of caution: these are my opinions, and often they will go against the grain of the norm. They are not RE/MAX's words of wisdom or the Skaneateles Office's way of doing business, they are solely mine. They are also no guarantee of sales - not at all! The opinions are honed f...

Hat tip to the eagle-eyed Morekaos in the Irvine Housing Blog Forums who noticed the ghoulish Betty's Bunker just dropped its price to $650,000. If you recall, in the original post I included some guesses as to where the architectural inspiration stemmed from: For those keeping score at home, the price reductions have progressed as follows: Oct 05, 2008 Listed $1,035,000 Nov 19, 2008 Price Changed $739,000 Dec 22, 2008 Price Changed $650,000 A total of $385,000 in price reductions in just TWO MONTHS! Delusion didn't last long with these folks. And by the way, the new asking price is $190,000 cheaper than the least expensive nearby property. This thing must be a real shit hole. You'll notice they added "Priced accordingly to reflect condition. Property needs upgrading" to the description, likely an attempt to lower expectations in response to the projectile vomiting they've encountered when showing the property. Anyone think this will see sub-$200 per square ...