So now that I was voted the Inman’s Agent Reboot “Peoples Choice Award” for best Blogger of 2011……I am sure you are asking yourself, what blogs does Paul aka @Hungrydomaine read?

Here are a few up my favorites:

http://www.coopandcondo.com/

Who is Ron Gitter?

Broker Talk New York: Understanding Dual Agency

A New Year, a New Law

Effective January 1, 2011, an amendment to Section 443 of the New York State Real Property Law will significantly change the way brokers selling co-ops and condos in New York disclose their agency relationships with their clients. Although the law of agency, which governs the relationship between brokers and their principals has not changed, there is now an obligation to disclose the agency relationship in writing and to obtain written consent of both seller and buyer when dual agency exists. Since co-ops and condos were previously excluded from written disclosure requirements, many brokers are dealing with these concepts for the first time.

Read more

http://malcolmcarter.wordpress.com/

Who is Malcom Carter?

Here’s your chance to buy a cheap 2-BR UWS co-op

January 20, 2011 by Malcolm Carter

“Chance” is the operative word in the headline.

That’s because the city’s has announced the establishment of a new lottery for the purchase of Mitchell-Lama co-ops in Manhattan for a virtual song.

According to an ad in the Times, “waiting lists are being opened” for Upper West Side apartments ranging in size from studio to two-bedroom.  As is the practice of the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, however, there is no clue either in the ad or on the department’s Web site just which buildings will be available.

Read more:

http://www.brickunderground.com/blog

I have so much respect for Teri Rogers- the face behind Brick U!

Buying a new condo? Here’s the checklist you’ve been looking for

Nothing says caveat emptor like new construction, which is why a good real estate lawyer can make the difference between happily-ever-after and a short sale two years later. Real estate attorney Felix Nihamin not only wants you to know what you’re getting into—he wants to make sure you don’t leave any money on the table along the way, like the client who didn't realize he could ask the developer to fork over $30,000 in closing costs.

Read on for a primer on what to know if you're buying new.

http://www.urbandigs.com/

Noah Rosenblatt is an impressive dude- it is all about the #’s with Noah!

A: Looking for a "January Effect" in terms of pace of new active listings to the Manhattan housing markets. Now, keep in mind that this would include all listings that are changed to an ACTIVE state from a prior off-market, contract signed state or closed state. DID YOU KNOW?: The past 3 January's saw an average of 1,926 new listings hit the Manhattan markets! THIS YEAR?: As of now, the 30-Day pace of new listings coming ACTIVE to the market is 1297. There simply are not as many new listings coming to market as there has been in the past few January's...

If you don't see as many new options as you hoped so far this year, now you know why. So far 2011 is starting out in a holding pattern; it's just too soon to tell how many deals are 'cooking' out there. Remember that it takes a good 2-3 weeks to go from initial negotiation to accepted offer to due diligence process to fully executed contract of sale. For what its worth I already encountered about a dozen of listings with "contracts out" while trying to setup buyer appointments the past week or so; anecdotal yes, but still something that comes in waves for my business.

Read more:

www.theapplepeeled.com

The apple peeled? Who is behind this? People that care about information that will help you navigate the crazy real estate world!

Top 7 Lessons Learned for Renters in 2010

by RED DELICIOUS on JANUARY 11, 2011

It’s no longer a renter’s market: With so many stories from

friends and co-workers of the phenomenal deals grabbed in the previous year, it came as quite a blow for many tenants looking to make a switch in 2010.  Landlords negotiated less and concessions diminished.

Inventory talks: Inventory was quite slim throughout the year, despite talks of shadow condo inventory filling up rental demand.  Good apartments flew off the shelves within a week of hitting the market, with time-sensitive renters feeling the pressure of having to quickly find other options and foregoing their dreams of negotiating to the bone.

Read more:

http://matrix.millersamuel.com/

Who is Jonathan Miller?

Duh~ he is the Derek Jeter of analysis in the NYC real estate world!

How to sell your imperfect apartment

If you live in NYC- you have to follow the amazing articles and tips in:

www.Brickunderground.com

Here is a post from today:)

No light? No problem.  The Zweben Group has your back.

Is your place too far from the subway? Dark as a crypt? In a building with bed bugs? Cheer up. No apartment is perfect, especially in the eyes of a potential buyer.  And while you can't hide it, you can try to put it all in perspective.

"We can often move things along by reminding buyers that New York City real estate is by definition an exercise in compromise, and that every flaw, in theory at least, is reflected in a lower price," says Carolyn Zweben, a real estate broker with The Zweben Group at Prudential Douglas Elliman. "That's how you get past the fixation on the one or two things that are 'wrong' to an appreciation of everything that's right."

Here's how to address some less sell-worthy aspects of your apartment:

• Too far from the subway: If you have priced your apartment correctly, the price should make up in affordability what the apartment lacks in convenience.  And those three blocks are great exercise.
• Higher-than-average monthly charges: Unusually high monthly charges are usually offset by a below-market asking price.   That means more apartment for less money up front, which can appeal especially to cash-poor buyers. Higher maintenance could also mean higher tax deductibility, which may soften the blow.
• No light: Because a comparable apartment with good light can trade for as much as 20-30 percent more, this is another opportunity for a buyer to get more apartment for less money.  Stage your apartment with an abundance of indoor light sources and consider bringing in a lighting consultant to suggest other ideas that you can pass along to buyers, like installing light boxes on the floor behind the furniture. Staining the floors a lighter shade also helps as well as putting lighter colors on the wall.
• Bed bugs: Bed bugs are a fact of life in New York City now, and if your co-op apartment or building has had a bed bug infestation within the past year, buyers now have a right know.    Make sure you and your broker are familiar with the steps that have been taken and the status of the infestation.  Offer to let the buyer inspect your apartment, and consider setting up an escrow account to offset future bed bug extermination costs if the apartment becomes infested within the next six months to a year. If you are aware of any bug issue in your building, alert the board so that the issue can be taken care of immediately. Most buyers understand these things happen in New York so the KEY is to know that that building is handling the issue asap.  As long as it is being taken care of properly, buyers are usually okay with it.
• Great apartment, rundown building: This fact should be reflected in the price.  Besides getting more apartment for less money, remind the buyers that they can run for the board and make some changes that will enhance the value of their investment along with their quality of life.
• A kitchen/bath in dire need of renovation: Remind the buyers that if the kitchen or bath were perfect, it would be reflected in the price of the apartment.   Then give them a range of what the work might be expected to cost, and invite them to bring a contractor to check it out.

For more info or to hook up with one of the city's more awesome real estate teams, contact:

The Zweben Group at Prudential Douglas Elliman

"We Make It Happen!"