When a new homeowner is about ready to close on their new home the one major piece of paper that the buyers have to bring with them to the closing would be a fully paid homeowners policy.  Without this - you simply can not close.  But what happens to people who bought homes 2,5 or 20 years ago?  I am sure that their policy is still in effect and most likely the premiums are paid via escrow, so most homeowner don't think of the policy anymore unless a catastrophic accident happens.  Which I know would be true for me.Until Now..Why you should check on your homeowners insurance.Let's just make this clear - the policy is not based on the MARKET VALUE but more like the cost that would be incurred to rebuild or replace.  If a homeowner invested 50,000 or more into their home, most likely the ... 06/12/2007

199-40 21st AveWhitestone, NY 11357 Asking: $274,900 Selling: $260,000 On the Market: 25 weeks   This Triple Mint Clearview Gardens Upper Corner Unit with Attic features 2 BR, New Bath, New Kitchen with New Appliances including Stove, Refrigerator, DW, W/D, New Hardwood Floors, New Screen Door and New Staircase Landings all set in a Beautiful Courtyard!  Visit CarolloRealEstate.com for more information  06/08/2007

this detached cape in whitestone needs TLC but has great potencial home features 2 br,1 bath Lr,Fdr,Eik,and full finished bsmt.Attached garage with private driveway on 100x135 lot.call chris at carollo Re 917 698-7537 pice is $699.000 06/06/2007

PCA Realty reports that the prices in Northeast Queens have been rising since the start of 2007. Some recent sales are:160-15 11th Avenue, Beechhurst. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, centerhall colonial on a 9,600 sq. ft. lot. (Closed on Februrary for $990,000)154-60 10th Avenue, Beechhurst. 3 bedrooms, 3 full baths, full renovated. (Closed in March of 2007 for $730,000)160-10 Riverside Drive, Beechhurst. 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 7,000 sq. ft. lot. (Closed in March of 2007 for $978,000)13-46 146 Street, College Point. 3 bedroom, ranch. (Closed in April of 2007 for $600,000)151-35 12th Avenue, Whitestone. 2 bedroom, attached, brick. (Closed in May of 2007 for $505,000)Please visit our website at www.pcarealtyinc.com for more information on these properties and more proporties in your local area. 05/20/2007

One of the hardest parts of my job I think is recruiting.  I hire alot of agents, I talk to alot of agents and I have trained quite a few agents that just did not make the cut.  I  know alot of people think that Real Estate is easy and it may be so for the agents who can "turn everything into 'Sold'".  But there are agents out that that really - A.) Should not be anywhere near Real Estate. B.) Really, should not be anywhere Real Estate OR a moving vehicle and maybe perhaps should wear protective padding.  To be honest, I do think that the ability to connect with people is one of the key elements in being a good Realtor.  Since I started recruiting, I have hired some EXCELLENT agents and well - shamefully I hired some huge duds that the thought of them still make me cringe.  I was learni... 05/15/2007

Last night I received this interesting email from the National Association of Realtors asking Realtors to contact CBS about the '60 Minutes' Special that was aired on Sunday May 13, 2007.  I am not really sure what complaining to CBS would do, but NAR wants us to voice our concern.  For a year plus that I have maintained this blog, I have rarely spoke about Redfin not because I don't like them or even because I don't think that their model of buying and selling real estate won't work, I just never spoke about them because there are or I should say will never make it in New York.  To be honest with you - I don't even really think that their model of a real estate brokerage will last.  Right now, they are still "fresh" and they are getting alot of press time, but will that be enough for t... 05/15/2007

beatiful 2 bedroom coop in le havre. this 4th floor unit features 2 br , fuul bath bright and sunny large LR kitchen new stove ,new a/c and DW, terrace wth bridge views. amenites include,tennis courts 2 pools Gym, playgrounts . maintence $897 price to sell $299000 04/27/2007

this compeletly renovated detached colonial in beechhurst,is a tru must see!!Home features  3 bedrooms 2 new baths and 2 half baths,LR,with fireplace, FDR,brand new gourmet kitchen with all new stainless steal appliances, den , office,a full finished bsmt with marbel floors,new windows,and hardwood floors throughout. home also have a detached garage bwith loft and 2 car driveway all on a 66x100 lot call chris a have the key 718 747-7747 or 917 698-7537. 04/27/2007

Clearview Co-ops happens to be one of the most sought after cooperative settings and the board happens to be one of the strictest ones in all of Whitestone with many requirements.  The co-op board does not allow pets, does not allow less than 20% down, salary for a one bedroom has to be over $42,000 and there is absolutely NO SUBLETTING!But, the requirements above are the exact reasons why most owners say that is WHY they want to live in Clearview Co-ops.  Let me give you a little bit of history:  Clearview Co-ops are located in Northeastern Queens, NYC.    The apartments were built in the 1950's to help fill the need for affordable housing (and I have heard of the original owners paying $100. - 150.00 for their apartment).  The Cooperative is spread out over 88 acres and consists of 1... 04/24/2007

I am sorry, I know that you questioned me as to why I have not posted your home for sale on the Zillow.com site.   You have made it clear that you want your home to be advertised in every means that I can get my hands on.  It is important to you to sell your home so you can continue with your plans.  But, if you would give me a few minutes to explain why I have not - or will not post your home or my other listings that I have for sale on the Zillow Site.    I want to sell your home -  I can and WILL sell your home but it is hard for me to bring the buyers into your home when I have another agent (Zillow) screaming and picketing infront of us that your beautiful home is worth less, alot less than we are asking as well as the actual "comped" value.  It's not that I don't think that Zillow... 04/13/2007

Just Sold in Clearview Gardens, 11357 Asking: $339,000Selling Price: $352,000on the Market: 8 WeeksAbsolutely Magnificent Upper TRUE 3 BR Unit in Clearview Gardens features 1 Bath, LR, DR, Granite Kitchen with dishwasher, W/D, and a full attic! Maintenance is $786 which includes all utilities! Only True 3 BR on the Market!Visit CarolloRealEstate.com for full property information   03/26/2007

JUST SOLD IN WHITESTONE, QUEENS 11357146-29 13th AvenueWhitestone, NY 11357Asking: $599,000Selling: $580,000Charming Detached Colonial in Whitestone features 3 BR, 1.5 Bth, LR, FDR, EIK, Fireplace, partially finished basement with W/D hookups, and a Spacious Attic perfect for Two More Rooms! Home also features a detached garage and private driveway all on 33x100 lot! Visit CarolloRealEstate.com for full property information 03/21/2007

Last year dear friends of mine and my husband decided that they were going to sell their home in Queens and more to Warren County (Lake George) NY.  This was a sad and touchy subject, but our friends felt that this was going to be the best thing for them.  So, my husband and I helped them make their move.  You have a friend in Real Estate:  Because I am a full time real estate agent, our friends gave me the task of selling their home.  I would have never thought that there would be any other reason for me selling their beloved home, other than me being a great Realtor.  I did not think for one second that they would have me sell their home and entrust their biggest asset to me because I would discount them or "give em a deal".   I felt that I was selling their home because I truly was a... 03/19/2007

Accepting responsibility is one of the hardest things I can think of that I have had to do day  in and day out since I have been an adult.  Everyday, I have something I HAVE to do and to be honest, sometimes I just don't feel like doing anything.  I want to go shop, go to the casinos or ya know what, maybe I would love to have a day that I can sit on the couch and eat bon-bons all day.  But I can't.  I am an adult and I must pay the bills and take care of my kids, husband, dog and the house.  Ugh.  The second hardest things I have had to do since I have become an official adult is owning up to my mistakes.  I have to admit this has been a minimal but I have had to do it once or twice before.  Saying "I am sorry" has been noted to be the hardest thing to say to anyone person.  Since I wa... 03/13/2007

Just Sold in Whitestone Queens 11357 Clearview Gardens Co-op 16-31 Utopia ParkwayWhitestone, NY 11357 Asking: $179,000Selling: $160,000Time on Market:  12 weeksMaint: $588 Clearview Gardens Upper Unit features 1 BR, 1 Full Bath, Lr, DR, Kitchen, Carpeting Throughout and Full Stand Up Attic. Maintenance is only $588 which includes Real Estate Taxes, and garbage and snow removal.  Visit CarolloRealEstate.com for full property details 03/12/2007

Are you smarter than a fifth grader?  I hate to admit it, but there were a few questions that  had me rethinking my original answer.   Watching the game show with my boys (13,7) made me realize that they ARE way smarter than I was at their age.  The things that my youngest son has learned are things that I think we were touching on in the fifth or sixth grade:  nouns, pronouns, adjectives and conjunctions are normal in his daily school regime.  I mention what my youngest is learning because those are subjects that I still have a grasp on.  As for my oldest, well - he left me in the dust somewhere around the 5th grade.  This morning I was playing around and I stumbled upon a site that I quickly grew fond of, Rate My Teacher.  The rating system overall was good and the information provide... 03/06/2007

Elementary Schools in District #26 Elementary Schools in District #25High Schools in District #26High Schools in District #25Catholic Schools in the 11357, 11358, 11364 and surrounding areas.  With my eldest son's pending 8th grade graduation, I was asked to write a letter about why I chose the school that I did.  While I will not repost the entire letter here, I will just give reasons why I chose a Catholic Private School as opposed to the Public Schools.  I can remember when my oldest was going to be starting school.  My thoughts of him becoming a scholar were not any different than most of my friends hopes and dreams were for their children.  When they all chose to send their children to Public Schools, I chose the Catholic Private.  I knew that the financial end of things I would ha... 03/06/2007

I have been reading articles after articles about commissions and fee structures and hearing people say - "You can't charge THAT.." Or "Don't over charge".. I have read these articles and I have thought to myself, secretly - about the fee structures.  Should I charge a set amount?   Should every customer or client be based on a per person basis?  You see here in NY - its just different than other Cities.  There is no buyer representation - The buyers never pay my fee and it is never brought up.  I work for the sellers - by default almost every day.  So, sometimes I get confused on why every one gets in a tizzy about the fee structure.  But, Aside from that, I am also a notary.  I notorize forms for people everyday.  I do NOT charge for this service.  I don't know why, but I always felt ... 02/06/2007

just recently had a buyer explain to me that he does not need to do an inspection because his sister's husband's friend is a contractor and he is going to over look the house.  I highly highly - I mean really advise against this.  Even if you are in total agreement with the seller that you are buying the home "as is"  - any home buyer SHOULD get the home inspected by a licensed inspector.  Its really for the buyers benefit - trust me, I make nothing off the deal and to be honest, I have lost a deal or two over a house that had alot of damage that the inspector picked up, which I would rather lose a deal because the house was structural damaged then to find out a buyer had bought the "money pit".  Now let's put this into perspective here.  Alot of homes in my Whitestone/Bayside area were... 02/05/2007

Being a full time mom and a full time office manager of a real estate firm as well as a broker associate, I find that my day consists of balance and time management.   I always have to stay a day a head of myself.  So yesterday I was planning for today and today I am planning for tommorrow. I need to make sure that all my bases are covered at home as well as at work.On a typical day at work you might find me thinking about: Who is picking up my kids?  Or how is my oldest going to get home from school? What tests, homework or projects are due and when? I need to spend more time at home. Are the uniforms washed and ready for school? Do I have lunches and juices? What are we having for dinner?I have to remember to plan and I plan to remember everything!While I am at home I think of things ... 02/05/2007