Spotlight on Ditmas Park, Brooklyn! Ditmas Park is one of three neighborhoods in Flatbush to be designated Historic Districts. Located west of Coney Island Avenue, this small community is an architectural dream for those with a love of Victorians! Once a rural farming community, Ditmas Park still enjoys an abundance of tree-lined streets and a quiet sense of community.   Ditmas Park is filled with buildings built between 1902 and 1914, showcasing examples of Colonial Revival, Bungalow/Craftsman and Queen Anne style single-family homes. This charming neighborhood offers the best of both worlds, with detached single family homes, as well as a vibrant commercial district filled with delis, restaurants, live music and shopping. Ditmas Park is well-known around the city as featuring some of... 03/16/2015

   Spotlight on Bensonhurst Brooklyn! Bensonhurst – in all its sprawling, multi-ethnic glory - occupies a large space in southwestern Brooklyn. This active community enjoys both a “Little Italy” and a “Chinatown,” giving residents a taste of some of the best food these groups have to offer! Bensonhurst residents have a wide selection of shopping, restaurants, festivals and community events to choose from. Real estate in Bensonhurst is as varied as the cultures that make up its neighborhood; brick single and multi-family homes, condos, rowhouses – many with driveways and backyards – make up the landscape of this community. Multiple subway and bus stops connect Bensonhurst to the rest of the city.   Bensonhurst Park provides a ton of outdoor recreation choices, with sports fields and play... 03/16/2015

Spotlight on Dyker Heights, Brooklyn!   This southwest Brooklyn neighborhood is one of the safest communities in all of New York City, with their other claim to fame being their annual Christmas Light extravaganza! Dyker Heights has been called the “Handsomest Suburb in Greater New York” which is no surprise - it was original conceived as a luxury housing development! Community spirit and pride are hallmarks of Dyker Heights – this is a place to put down roots, and enjoy all the neighborhood has to offer. Real estate offerings include classic brick one and two family homes as well as new construction apartments. Dyker Heights offers several excellent public schools and one private – Poly Prep Country Day School – as well as family owned businesses and restaurants in the business distric... 03/16/2015

Spotlight on Park Slope, Brooklyn! Rich in history and yet charmingly contemporary, Park Slope – located in northwest Brooklyn - is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in all of New York City. Chosen by a multitude of publications and groups as the best of the best - including New York Magazine and the American Planning Association - Park Slope is a magical combination of quiet tree-lined streets and a thriving, vibrant and diverse community. This neighborhood offers residents top-rated restaurants, bars, farmer’s markets and cultural events. Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the Brooklyn Museum and the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music are all located in Park Slope; the arts are alive and well in this community.   Near-by Prospect Park offers bountiful outdoor re... 03/16/2015

Brooklyn Year End Review   Summary Intense demand in Brooklyn fueled price improvements in all metrics during 2014. Overall average condo and co-op price was 12% higher than a year ago and average price per square foot grew 9%. Overall median price increased 3%, exhibiting slight price growth in the middle of the market. Historically low condo and co-op inventory contributed to the 5% decline in the number of closed sales. New developments introduced during 2014 provided little relief to the long-term inventory shortage as most buildings have been met with fast absorption despite continued price increases. Just over 3,800 apartments (condo and co-op) closed during 2014. Sales activity dipped 5% from 2013, but was higher than three of the prior five years. This demonstrates that the Broo... 02/27/2015

Feng Shui Book Club: "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do"   "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do" is written by Amy Morin who dealt with the passing of her mother at 23 and lost her 26 year old husband who passed away from a heart attack. That set Amy on her journey to understand the psychology of what it means to be "mentally strong." During her process, she created a list of 13 key points to help herself and eventually it become a best selling book to help others become mentally strong.    This book is ideal for all, especially if you have lost a loved one, ended a relationship that you struggle to let go of or even learning how to get out of your own way. No more excuses, it's time to love yourself. Below is a sample:   1. They Don’t Waste Time Feeling Sorry for Themselv... 02/23/2015

Spotlight on Park Slope   Park Slope, quite simply, is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in New York City. Located in northwest Brooklyn, this community has been chosen by a multitude of publications and groups as the best of the best, including New York Magazine and the American Planning Association. With it’s charming tree-lined streets, Park Slope offers residents top-rated restaurants, bars, shops and the best of the best when it comes to recreation and culture. The Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the Brooklyn Museum and the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music all call Park Slope home. A host of top quality public and private schools make this a perfect destination for growing families; well-served by the subway, Park Slope is ideal for commuting or enjoying... 02/22/2015

Spotlight on Dyker Heights   Originally conceived as a luxury housing development (in 1895!), Dyker Heights is a residential neighborhood in southwest Brooklyn, bordered by Gravesend Bay, Bay Ridge and Bensonhurst. One of the safest neighborhoods in all of New York City, Dyker Heights is also renown for the annual Christmas Light extravaganza! That community spirit can be seen through this diverse and old-fashioned neighborhood. Dyker Heights boasts several excellent public schools and one private – Poly Prep Country Day School – plus the renowned Dyker Beach Park and Golf Course. The championship golf course is one of the oldest and most played public course in the nation; residents can also enjoy the adjacent park, which features sports fields, bocce, tennis and playgrounds, as well ... 02/22/2015

Spotlight on Bensonhurst Brooklyn!   Southwestern Brookyn is the location of Bensonhurst – a sprawling, incredibly diverse and hardworking middle-class neighborhood. Surrounded by Flatbush, Dyker Heights and Midwood, Bensonhurst boasts a Little Italy, a Chinatown and a United Nations array of nationalities, giving it a “melting pot” vibe and an active vibrant community spirit. Bensonhurst’s sheer size means a wide variety of real estate for sale. From new construction to large brick single and multi-family homes to condos and rowhouses, there is something for every taste in this Brooklyn neighborhood, many with driveways and backyards. Multiple subway and bus stops keep Bensonhurst connected with the rest of the boroughs, great for communiting or enjoying the city life. There’s always s... 02/22/2015

Spotlight on Bay Ridge Brooklyn!   Bay Ridge is a diverse, middle-class neighborhood in the southwest corner of Brooklyn; its boundaries are Sunset Park to the north, Dyker Heights to the east, the Narrows and the Belt Parkway to the west, and the Verrazano Bridge to the south.    Family is the buzz word here – it’s not surprising to meet third or fourth generations of families living in the neighborhood. The diversity of Bay Ridge goes beyond cultures (though you’ll find many international restaurants and bars on the main commercial drags). It also means you’ll find beautiful and varied homes and condos for sale. From brick multi-family detached homes and semi-detached to early 20th Century single-family brick, limestone and stucco homes for sale, these are well-cared for houses on tre... 02/22/2015

Spotlight on Ditmas Park Brooklyn   Ditmas Park - one of three neighborhoods in Flatbush to be designated Historic Districts – is an architectural high point for those with a love of Victorians and a vibrant sense of community! Once a rural farming community, Ditmas Park is now a little gem of history. Located west of Coney Island Avenue, Ditmas Park contains gorgeous examples of buildings built between 1902 and 1914, with examples of Colonial Revival, Bungalow/Craftsman and Queen Anne style single-family homes. The tree-lined streets of this charming neighborhood offer quiet living in detached single family homes, with the commercial district is filled with delis, restaurants, live music and shopping. Local magazines and newspapers have singled out Ditmas Park for some of the best food... 02/22/2015

Spotlight on Sunset Park, Brooklyn     Home to Brooklyn’s Chinatown, Sunset Park is a neighborhood in the western section of Brooklyn. Its boundaries are Park Slope and Greenwood Heights to the north, Borough Park to the east, Bay Ridge to the south, and Upper New York Bay to the west. Well-served by transportation, this exciting slice of Brooklyn is affordable, safe and invested in its future. Parts of Sunset Park are listed in the National Register of Historic Places, including a rare exterior and interior landmark, the Sunset Play Center. Opened in the summer of 1936, this amazing piece of New York City history remains in use today, with indoor and outdoor pools and a playground for residents to enjoy. This neighborhood also enjoys their namesake park, with stunning views of the NYC ... 02/22/2015

Spotlight on Carroll Gardens Brooklyn!   Carroll Gardens is a quaintly beautiful neighborhood in Brooklyn where old means new in a charming blending of worlds. Approximately forty city blocks, it is bordered by Cobble Hill to the northwest, Boerum Hill to the northeast, Gowanus to the east, Red Hook to the south and southwest, and the Columbia Street Waterfront District to the west. Named after Charles Carroll (an Irish immigrant who was the only Roman Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence) and the abundance of lovely gardens in front of numerous brownstones and the parks that dot this neighborhood, Carroll Hill is a peaceful oasis. Architecture and interesting real estate options set Carroll Garden apart from many other neighborhoods in Brooklyn; townhouses, carriage house... 02/22/2015

Spotlight on Red Hook Brooklyn   Red Hook is literally “on the waterfront” - this peninsula between Buttermilk Channel, Gowanus Bay and Gowanus Canal sits at southern edge of Downtown Brooklyn. With a front row seat to the Statue of Liberty, the neighborhood of Red Hook has a killer view, a close sense of community and a bursting sense of potential. Residents enjoy the close proximity to the water as well as a fifty-five acre public park; ideal for runners and sports enthusiasts (handball courts, softball fields, a soccer and football field, a track and field) and the adjacent Sol Goldman Pool, this beautiful park is the perfect counterpoint to the bustling streets of the neighborhood. The Red Hook community is vibrant active, holding a Waterfront Arts Festival an annual summer kick-off... 02/22/2015

Williamsburg runs from Flushing Avenue to Metropolitan Avenue and Bushwick Avenue, east from the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Williamsburg has undergone one of the most exciting real estate transformations of any area in New York City. The warehouses and garages of the past have undergone spectacular renovations into modern industrial lofts, which rub shoulders with new high-rise condos.The area is divided in half into North and South Williamsburg by Grand Street. The Mason-Fisk building, a new brick loft condo conversion at 72 Berry is situated within North Williamsburg, offering a virtual doorman, a shared roof terrace, central air conditioning, washer-dryer hookups, and floors made of Douglas fir. In South Williamsburg, 238 South 3rd is a condo which boasts wide-plank pine floors and stainle... 02/20/2015

Brooklyn Monthly Market Report | January 2015 Brooklyn started the year out strong with year-over-year increases in all three price metrics. Average and median sales prices increased by double digits, 21% and 19%, respectively, while the average price per square foot increased 4% year-over-year.   Average price per square foot of all bedroom types increased year-over-year, with two and three plus bedrooms increasing by 19% and 15%, respectively.   The increase in two bedroom price per square foot is attributed to several sales at The Boerum, while studio data was skewed again due to limited sales that took place only in new developments.   Brooklyn had a 32% increase in contracts signed versus January 2014. In January, 68% of buyers paid at or above asking price. Please contact me with ... 02/13/2015

Claire Properties Opens New Brooklyn Location at 8212 3rd Avenue!   Claire Bisignano Chesnoff, Broker/Owner and Founder of Claire Properties, proudly announces the firm’s expansion into Brooklyn! Their new location at 8212 3rd Avenue in Bay Ridge continues the tradition of quality over quantity created by Claire. Claire Properties is a concierge brokerage, meaning each client receives the full attention of the brokerage.  “Realtors are dealing with people’s homes, it’s extremely personal and the detail that’s required, the resources that must be appropriated are significant.  No two transactions are alike.  We focus on our client’s goals and let the numbers take care of themselves.  We don’t want to be the biggest, we want to be the best.” The expansion into Brooklyn marks a continued c... 02/06/2015

Are Leaks Normal After Having a House Blessing In Feng Shui?   This is a great question to ask and the answer is, yes. Sometimes that could happen. It may seen to go against what a blessing is thought to bring; commonly the idea of good luck and good fortune. Blessing also bring truths to the surface and when you understand the symbolic meaning of leaks, it makes greater sense. Just as with our bodies, our homes and offices also need to release. Think of it as a back up of emotions. It is said that our homes absorb all emotions, activities spoken words and thought into it's walls (it's spirit) and if gone unchecked such as with a yearly blessing. That energy can build and become backed up.  If the occupants within that home have gone though years of unsettling experiences and then a ble... 01/07/2015

    Weekly Real Estate Market Report Brooklyn 12/26/14     For the week ending December 26th, 2014 the Brookln MLS posted the following Real Estate market activity:   Single Family Brooklyn Homes New Listings 8 Sold Listings 7 Pending          3   Avg Sell Price $478,714 Median List Price $409,000   Vacant Land in Broooklyn New York New Listings 1 Sold Lisitings 1   Avg Sell Price $910,000 Median List Price $990,000     Commercial Real Estate Properties For Sale in Brooklyn NY New Listings 1 Sold Listings  - Pending -   Multi-Family Brooklyn New York Homes For Sale New Listings 16 Sold Listings  8 Pending          13   Avg Sell Price $762,750 Median List Price $761,500   Brooklyn Co-ops and Condo Sales  New Listings 14 Sold Listings 15 Pending          11   Avg Sell Price $319,946 Media... 12/26/2014

  Reasons To Buy A Brooklyn Real Estate Home For Sale     Flatbush Brooklyn Homes       Interest Rates Are At An All Time Low FHA min Downpayment 3.5%- funds can be gifted from family members Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac- first time home buyers allowed to put down 3% Grants Are Available Brooklyn Homes for Sale Are Available Mortgage interest is tax deductible- YOUR RENT IS NOT Owning a home is a great long term investment- you build equity       When you are ready to buy a Brooklyn Real Estate Home for sale calll me at 917-861-9166 Michele Cadogan Fillmore Real Estate Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker   12/23/2014