That massive stack of paper on the left is the offering plan for a condo building in midtown. On the right, is the digital version, on. CD-ROM (of the complete plan *plus* financial statements and purchase application !) The massive stack on left, cost me a few hundred dollars to obtain (as the exclusive listing agent part of my responsibilities are (were) to be sure I have all pertinent documentation to provide to a (buyer's) co-broker ,buyer's attorney etc . On the right,a few hours of quality time with my HP office jet all in one at home, to break the plan down into small pdfs .
Ok, so some of it *is* double sided ... *yay* ? Why ? I did not want to be responsible for killing more trees when photocopying said plan to provide to a buyers attorney. This was especially handy for an overseas buyer. :) this spring. Its worth noting this company readily sends its purchase application and financial statements in PDF format !!! So, why not have *CDs* of this info available? Now that, I'm comfortable paying for ! So, are we really green ? Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
In my inbox this morning, was an email from Pottery Barn ,offering a color seminar, on “Choosing the Perfect Wall Color” ,on picking colors for your walls, as well advice on choosing a color scheme for you home.
Interesting timing, as I was thinking about a post last night about this very thing, but not necessarily from the perspective of choosing a color scheme for your home-but what to do when you want to sell your house (which of course, in New York City, means-what do I do when I want to sell my apartment ? )
There is a key distinction between house and home - the ability to detach emotionally is important. You are not selling your “home” you’re selling the place where you live, the physical space, not the emotional component . In New York City, it is often the case that people are still residing in the apartment they are trying to sell (whether the owners, or tenants possibly.
Aside from recommending having a staging expert come in-there are a few things that are easy enough to do that you can do on your own
De-personalize – yes, its your home, but try to remove personal items (30 photos of all your living relations and their pets might be a bit much, lets go for one-at most ) and place into storage. This is also a helpful process, as it helps move towards the emotional detachment.
Neutralize colors- especially the case if you may have some ,shall we say harsher tones (I’ll use myself as an example, I have ,what is now an accent wall in my dining room-, I would paint over it were the unit to go on the market)-whites and beiges and related colors are good to consider
De-clutter – sometimes we all can be guilty of having too much furniture. Try to give the apartment a sense of space .Yes you may like having two end tables and a coffee table, but maybe just the coffee table, while you’re trying to sell. Place additional pieces removed from apartment into storage.
Freshen up- especially with some of the existing neutral colors, they start to look, faded or dingy. Professionally (or very thoroughly) cleaning floors/tiling is also helpful.
If time and budget allow, I recommend staging, and the possibility of bringing in some new pieces (it helps when you’re not emotionally attached to the things in the apartment)-although do it too well, and you may decide you don’t NEED to move after all !
Remember what the apartment was like when you viewed it before pursuing purchasing it. This is the experience we want to (re)create, so that buyers can envision making it their home. Also remember, that in this age of digital marketing, your home is going to be photographed and presented online-so we really want to put its best foot forward.
These are of course just a few tips. I’m always willing to discuss or meet with you about your real estate needs any time-only a call or an email away.
1230PM at One New York Plaza,across from the SI Ferry- KJ Denhert ! She's fabulous- a must see,and if you can't catch the lunch time performance as part of River 2 River fest-catch her on Saturday at 55 Bar at 55 Christopher Street--first set at 10p.
Here's a video from one of her Bryant Park performances (and I really enjoy this particular song !)
Want to know where ? East River Plaza- 116th and Plesant-here's one of the images from the Target train ! Nicole Beauchamp Warburg Realty Partnership, Ltd O: 212 300 1835 M: 917-528-6501 nbeauchamp@warburgrealty.com Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
This week I attended this month’s Lucky Strike Social Media Club(they’re also on Facebook,of course) dinner meeting. For almost ,well just about 7 or 8 months, I’ve been *meaning* to get to one of the meetings. But ever so often, life gets in the way, personal and professional-lately the latter not the former.
This month, I had a mission, and I was going ! It was fantastic, a lot of these people, I had either knowingly or some what unknowingly been communicating with-mostly on Twitter(Yes you can find me there if you haven’t already @NikkiBeauchamp.So it was great to take the online connections and engagement and be face to face (I prefer that term to “IRL” ,nothing “unreal” about genuinely connecting and engaging ,in my opinion).
I sat at a table, and one of the interesting topics that came up was my particular communications style. In an age where in theory we are all “more” connected, sometimes it feels less so. So, as a result, I don’t like to get lost in ,shall we call it “text” limbo. Which of course now extends to endless convos on FB, email, tweets-you name it its there.
I like to tell people how I prefer to communicate, in the hopes that when we decide we wish to communicate we can discuss our respective styles so that we are actually doing so ! I’m not inflexible, by any means, but as an example, let’s use text messaging. It can get really hard to have an extended conversation this way-if it requires more than three rounds of text, be forewarned I am likely to pick up the phone and call. OR maybe this is something that would be better addressed in email, where there isn’t a 140 character limitation ? OR I’m even open to IM, as a friend at the table pointed out-you can easily catch me on IM if I happen to be on-and go on at length –I find it can be very easy and beneficial, for those of my friends, family and clients who prefer this method-to run a client from my mobile device. Another example, I have a good friend who I communicate with mostly with IM, its her preferred method-we leave each other IM messages, we also use email, we usually use the phone when we’re running late to *gasp* meet each other to do something ,we also use text, but mainly for the same purpose-or sharing an interesting photo we might have taken while out. I know for some people, with metered minutes, whether from a scheduling or a monthly allotment perspective-prefer text which they may have an unlimited plan.
Long telephone calls, also get really complicated. Especially if you’re on a cell phone…and out and about in ,especially in Manhattan which mean the sounds of Midtown Manhattan traffic, for example ( remember MOST of my time is in fact spent out and about-whether showing for clients or customers or previewing or just pounding the pavement prospecting,yes,I still think this can be a good thing-strategically)
How about we communicate about how we prefer to communicate so we can actually communicate and get something done ? JSo ,what is your preferred method of communicating with someone –what’s your style ?(I ask this of new friends and clients, so that we can come to a style that suits us J )
Yes, believe it or not-in this sweltering heat, people are out and looking for homes. Not all of NYC is on vacation in the Hamptons or Fire Island.
Perhaps not so much in some segment of the sales market-although I think that anyone looking to buy at a time of year where people traditionally consider it to be “slow” is serious. Going to see an apartment when its 103 degrees out-I’d call that a SERIOUS buyer or renter-and they should not be taken as anything but such. But I'd digress into a discussion of whether or not waiting until the fall to put a home on the market is wise....and that's a long one !
Anyways,back to the topic at hand -as we continue with report mania, as I like to call it when it seems that quarterly reports are coming from EVERY which direction-here’s just a general overview on rentals.
I recently spent some time pounding the pavement (and braving the sweltering sauna we call the subway in the summer) with some clients in search of an apartment in Manhattan.
So-what’s my advice- be prepared ! Know what your budget is, know your current credit profile-which is important regardless of whether you’re currently seeking to buy or sell or rent- and be prepared-you may not find there are many incentives available. You will find you will often have to pay a brokerage fee. Know whether you want to go after a “pure” rental, or if considering sublets of co-ops or condos is even a possibility, and understand the time differences between different types of properties (approval process can be same day for a rental building, but could be WEEKS if you are subletting a coop, as well as considering the additional costs for board packages etc).
Take all of your factors into account-and search based on those parameters. All of these things vary by neighborhood, some neighborhoods have more inventory, or landlords more eager to make a deal, and you may find that prices have been reduced, not increased-but this is case by case. If you are unsure of what neighborhood you want to be in-explore the neighborhood whenever possible, you may find a good “deal” but it’s not a good fit for your lifestyle…
When looking for an apartment this time of year-you’ve got stiff competition- summer season is hot, and not just because of the weather. Many students decide not to stick to dorms, and opt to go out seeking shares, and well, many people often relocate this time of year-trying to get situated, before the school year starts.
If you see something you like, chances are someone else right before ,after OR the same time as you-likes it too. If you have roommates-whenever possible, try to ALL work together with ONE broker, and see things at the same time. Use your time and resources efficiently- have someone help you navigate the maze-there’s little reason to work with multiple agents. Find an agent that will be your advocate throughout the process-and stick to them, they will become your NYC real estate resource.
These are just a few, of MANY suggestions. If you are considering a move, and have any questions about the process of finding a home in New York City, feel free to call or email your NYC real estate resource.
The heat rises ,and everyone in the city starts to enjoy many of our outdoor summer traditions. High on my list personally, are the annual concerts by the Philharmonic in the park ,as well as the Met Opera recital series. And last year-they added Summer in HD where they broadcast, for free, the HD versions of some of the operas right at Lincoln Center. Bringing the arts to a wider audience.
So here are tips for this week !
Tonight ! The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series begins for this year.At 8p, at summer stage, and then on to the boroughs,and all of these subsequent performances are at 7p. On Thursday July 15th in Crotona Park in Queens, on July 20th at Brooklyn Bridge Park (in Brooklyn) , July 22nd Tappan Park on Staten Island ,July 27th Queens Bridge Park (in Queens) and ending on Jul
New York Philharmonic’s Concerts in the Park- all five boroughs-but this year, the first two nights are at Central Park’s famed Great Lawn. Grab a blanket, pack a picnic dinner and head out to hear one of the world’s best orchestras perform.
Tuesday and Wednesday night at 8P on the Great Lawn-make a night of it with friends !
Thursday and Friday nights, are at Cunningham Park in Queens, and Prospect Park in Brooklyn ,respectively. Many of the evenings end with fireworks too.And hopefully the weather will be fabulous (I have many times gotten caught in a downpour-but what fun it was ,rain or not !)
For those who love brass and percussion ensembles- on Saturday 7/17 and Monday 7/19 the New York Philharmonic Brass and Percussion Ensemble will perform. Saturday is at the College of Staten Island/CUNY Center for Arts- it’s also free, but tickets are required-for more information call 718-982-2787. And Monday evening, the last evening in the series, is at Hostos Community College-also requiring tickets, and for more information call 718-518-4555.
As we roll closer to the end of August, look for a post on the HD opera screenings at Lincoln Center- I really enjoyed going last year, looking forward to it again !
In case you didn't notice today- its a bit hot out. Actually, seems we had the hottest day since August 2001 ! We hit triple digits, at Central Park and area airports. Keep in mind- when its this hot , keep hydrating, try to stay indoors w/air conditioning, avoid strenuous activity-and try to be out off peak hours (early morning, late evenings). Check up on your neighbors-especially if they're older , kids and keep an eye on your pets as well. If you need to find a cooling center near you- call 311 for more information. Hope you're keeping cool- til the next time. Always at your service.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
From the famous preamble,in the Declaration of Independence.Words that few who have sat through a history class,or picked up a book on American History. My history teacher would be proud,I STILL remember the words !
Independence Day commemorates the independence of the United States from Great Britian.; Actually,the legal separation was on July 2,1776,and the declaration was ratified on July 4th,1776 ( now today,how often does ANYTHING happen that quickly in Congress-but THAT is an entirely different blog post )
Its a federal holiday,many of us have long weekends,many don't (think of all the doctors and nurses and our law enforcement personnel who are on duty while many of us decide to take off veg and relax-and this is true for just about any holiday,and just a regular weekend too )
We travel to spend time with our friends and family.We listen to patriotic marches and music (Sousa marches are played almost ad nauseum this time of year-although as a former band geek,I still have a fondness for them) and of Ferde Grofe's Grand Canyon Suite gets alot more airtime this time of year....Here's a silent film short someone sent me last year-that I really enjoyed with some of the music-I bet many people recognize it and had NO idea what they were listening to (reminds me of when I used to practice piano and invariably one of my nieces or nephews would make a reference to a cartoon they heard the piece in....)
-we watch fireworks (The Macy's fireworks in NYC are EXTREMELY popular ...year after year
....and we eat...alot at BBQs ! We spend time at the beach,we shop fabulous independence day sales....
The list can go on and on. But,let us take a moment,and wish our wonderful nation,which isn't perfect-although realistcally,is ANYTHING perfect ? Wouldn't perfection be boring ? And let us celebrate all its wonderful attributes,let us celebrate the freedoms we have here,and the way of life it affords us-let us thank our armed forces,for continuing to protect and fight for,what we hold dear.
Some great things to do in NYC on this holiday weekend :
One of the interesting things is how many people travel on holiday weekends,and in the summer especially,sometimes being in NYC is great-you can get into all the shows and restaurants that are normally impossible.This 4th of July weekend,many wonderful events,including the famous Macy's 4th of July Fireworks spectacular-which for the second year in a row,are being launched from the Husdon River-so there are prime viewing spots in NJ as well as along the Upper West Side (for most years I can remember being in NYC,they were almost always an east side event,minus things like the Hudson River anniversary a few years back).
Also,if you have a Bank of America credit,ATM or debit card-did you know that they have a Museums on Us program ? Free general admission to a variety of museums (a bunch of them here in the NYC area)-you present your card and you get to go in for free-how neat is that ? The first full weekend of every month -more information here : http://museums.bankofamerica.com/?cm_mmc=EBZ-MuseumsOnUs-_-vanity-_-ED01VN0003_museums-_-2010
Above all,be safe and enjoy the holiday weekend ! If you did something fun-let us know,can't wait to see photos and videos too-send em on in. This year I have a Flip HD cam,so I will try to get some great videos that I can actually share (a little bit harder from my digital camera and phones for some reason) along with great pics too !
