Many Realtors went up to Albany on March 27-28.  This was our yearly pilgrimage and ritual to discuss and have a dialogue concerning proposals for new laws and regulations and their effect on real estate.  It was also the chance to explore current laws and ways to enhance and upgradethem for the current business environment in New York State.Their effect can be dramatic and costly for consumers and purchasers.  Laws that are enacted sometimes harm Realtors involved in the real estate industry in New York State.One of the major topics was the power that co-op boards have over purchasers, especially having to fill out an immense amount of paperwork providing a large amount of personal information. This is not a requirement when buying a condominium, townhouse, or HOA.As many as 1,500 page... 04/08/2024

Philip A Raices -April 8, 2024   In the current real estate market, purchasing a co-op has been challenged by the rules and regulations that go hand in hand with completing the required board application and successfully passing the interview. Acceptable income, credit, and debt-to-income ratios will go a long way in reaching that happy ending. However, all boards in Nassau County have no outside oversight and accountability, as Suffolk County does. When a board turns down an applicant there, the board must respond within 45 days to explain to the respective applicant the reason or reasons why. In Nassau, there aren’t regulations that provide feedback to the purchaser when they are turned down. This allows those few who may indiscriminately decide not to allow a buyer to purchase. Disc... 04/08/2024

Our Global Committee had an excellent networking and celebration on February 12, 2024, for the Lunar New Year, Year of the Dragon event @LOL Barbecue 66 Middle Neck Rd Great Neck NY  11021 (516) 708-1682.  This was the first time that I had ever eaten Korean Cuisine and was curious as to the different tastes and delicacies that they would offer.   It was set up to be a smorgasbord self-serve-styled venue.  What I discovered was so very tasty and well-presented cuisine.  The barbecue ribs, which I found out is what Korean food is known for as a specialty, were supreme.  The meat just rolled off the bone, just like excellent barbecue ribs.  There was the spicy and delicious string beans with some amazing sauce, that I couldn't get enough of.  They also had a popcorn-type chicken dish that... 02/19/2024

If you are a seller, investor, purchaser, or even potential tenant, are you being properly advised and educated sufficiently enough, or seeking out someone to consult you about the current challenging market? Do you know enough about how to strategize and position yourself as a seller? If an investor, are you doing your due diligence when looking and finding a quality property and knowing the short and long-term R.O.I.? As a purchaser who has dropped out for a multitude of reasons, have you thought outside the box and your need and desire for creative and cutting-edge ways to keep you in the market? Even if you are looking for a rental, are you open to learning how you might potentially be in a position to purchase by listening and learning various strategies and methods of ways that y... 01/18/2024

Many of our clients are having challenging times finding a home that fits their specific “needs and wants.”The lack of available inventory is the greatest problem for those who are seriously searching and are qualified to buy.  For those who either need to sell or want to sell, the fear of not finding their “next place to call home” is one of the main reasons for not listing.I have experienced this exact situation as a broker with one particular family that although their place is listed, will not close until they find their next domicile beforehand.This has caused buyers not to consider their place.  Of course, current interest rates are an additional and important factor for many others not being able to purchase; even though rates are down over 1% since October.However, prices are st... 01/02/2024

We still have the largest economy on the globe and are still the Promised Land for the immigrants who desire to come here legally, whether for education, jobs or just to relocate permanently.  However, we also have a very serious illegal immigration problem and it is not being addressed in the proper fashion as both parties are at loggerheads in how to resolve and deal with the issues.The people who are able to immigrate here see the vast array of possibilities and opportunities that they cannot obtain sufficiently in their own countries.  Our doors seem to be always open for those who have the money and capabilities to invest in a vast pool of quality real estate, whether they are residential or commercial.The 2023 Profile of International Transactions in U.S. Residential Real Estate w... 11/10/2023

For those who purchased their home recently or years ago repairs have to be addressed, but the cost of doing them has increased drastically, especially over the last few years.Not everyone has the money to be able to accomplish these things.  Trying to take on  tasks, like a leaky faucet, changing a lock, or electrical issues may be simple for some, but for others hiring a professional may be the only course one can pursue.Leaning how to do small tasks, however, may be as simple as just going on YouTube.com and searching for topics about exactly what has to be done.  There are a multitude of instructive videos that will walk you through the simplest repairs to those that require much more knowledge and skill to undertake to master the job.Most homeowners who are employed full-time do no... 09/21/2023