So often do I meet people in various social settings that have recently made a home purchase and, since I am a real estate agent, of course I am given a blow by blow of their usually disappointing experience. The process did not go as smoothly as they thought it should, and the finger is... Continue Reading →
Word has spread recently that the housing market is suffering a decline, or at best a shift from the strong seller's market we have recently witnessed. Dozens of media publications have reported on the recent sales decline since last year. And why is that? Well, there are a number of factors. However, there is one type of property that appears to be finding strength amidst the softening market...
Often times, I encounter buyers that have not obtained a pre-approval or even spoken to a lender because they do not want their credit to be adversely affected by an inquiry. Unfortunately, most agents will not take buyers around that have not been pre-qualified. Time and gas are expensive, and few agents will invest in... Continue Reading →
Tax grievance involves challenging property tax assessments to reduce tax liability. Homeowners must prove their property's assessed value is inflated, a process often requiring legal assistance. The grievance period is short, typically in May or June, and is best initiated in the year of purchase. Professional help can yield significant savings.
Ok, so we discussed the limitations of purchasing a starter home, so what about purchasing a condo or coop? Let's start with coops. Short term ownership plans may not fare well for coops. The coop market waxes and wanes from year to year, and is much more sensitive to market fluctuations and volatility than any... Continue Reading →
