Curbed asks.... - 02/20/07 10:56 PM
Last week, Curbed posed a question about a buyer who viewed an open house without her buyers agent (please take note, this is a buyer from NY, where there is hardly any buyer representation). When she/he decided to put a bid in with another agent (acting as HER representing agent) the selling agent DECLINED to allow the buyer to make an offer.  So, without me answering there and getting clobbered I will answer the question here.  (yes, It is safer). 
This is really a catch 22 with a twist of morales.  To be honest and as per the LIBOR rules, the answer would … (16 comments)

Not a Real Estate Post - - 02/16/07 03:26 PM
I got this in an email today and I am not sure if this has been posted already on AR, but I found it humorous and Who does not need a bit of humor from time to time?  Today - I want to play...
You know you are living in 2007 when...
1. You accidentally enter your PIN on the microwave. (YUP - done that)
2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years. (NOPE - BUT I do play Go Fish with my 6 yr old.)
3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of three. (And I … (7 comments)

I AM the FULL TIME REALTOR! - 02/15/07 07:13 PM
From a very early age, Rhonda Ross imagined herself pursuing a life on stage or in front of the camera. The daughter of Diana Ross, she grew up in a world full of actors, singers and artists."   ...Yet Ross also has a real estate life. She's been an agent at Citi Habitats for two years.  (TheRealDeal.com) I was reading this article today and I could not help but get insulted. 
WHY?  Well, I AM a full-time Real Estate Agent.  I take continuing education classes not only because I HAVE to - but I want to.  I take computer courses and I … (37 comments)

73-63 Bell Blvd. Windsor Park, Bayside NY 11364 - 02/12/07 03:12 PM
This is a two extra large bedroom co-op unit, located in Windsor Park, 11364. This co-op also features a living room, dining room, eff. kitchen, full bath and alot of extra large closets. This unit has been freshly painted and ready for a special touch. Close to Shopping and Transportation. Close to PS 205. SD#26. Maint fee $599.68 (50% tax deductible). Amenities include, 24 hour security, Outdoor Olympic pool, Professional tennis courts. Asking Price $269,000
To view more pictures of this Windsor Park listing.
For more information call Christine from Carollo Real Estate at (917)939-1086.    For real estate related articles Visit Nyhouses4Sale.typepad.com … (0 comments)

No More Gimmicks.. - 02/12/07 10:13 AM
NYTimes Heads to Denver Colorado.
Today, I was doing my daily reading and I came across Kristal Kraft.  I bumped right into her.  She was there with Truila, Zillow and Realtor.com.  I have to say - Impressed I was.  Just want to give a big shout out and let you all know that your beloved KK - Kristal Kraft made it into NYtimes. 
Way to go, Kristal..
 The article talks about how homeowners don't want the gimmicks, they want real facts.  They don't want the common "drip campaigns", they don't want pumpkins left on their door fronts - they want to know the … (21 comments)

How much do you charge? - 02/06/07 11:22 PM
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, … (40 comments)

Referrals - Word of mouth.. - 02/06/07 10:14 AM
You know, on Active Rain it never fails to see an agent posting a good advertising method.  It could be how they send out postcards, or how the mailings that he/she did last month worked or even how great their blog/website is working for them.  I see alot of agents getting "impressed with themselves" over how great and how much google loves them and how high their rankings are.  Trust me - Google has no idea who you are!
While this is all great and it all works there is one thing that I don't hear alot of on Active Rain.
How is your … (26 comments)

Savings 1-2-3! - 02/06/07 07:54 AM
My wife and I have been wanting to buy our own home for years.  We find that it just keeps  getting further and further away.  What I don't understand is, my friends who make as much or less than my wife and I are able to buy a home.  I don't think that we live extravagantly, we pay our bills on time and more than the minimum amount.  But, we can never get that extra cash to sock away.  We are frustrated!  What can we do?" I  hear this almost daily.  I know it is hard to save.  I mean, I … (4 comments)

House Inspection - How can you NOT do it? - 02/05/07 10:31 PM
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 … (6 comments)

Realtor Myths Broken... - 02/05/07 10:26 PM
There are times that I am at a social gathering and when the topic of "what do you do for a living  come up"  I get the usual (gasp) "Ohh I am not selling" type of a response.  Or I get a mouth full of questions, like - "how much did 234 any street sell for?"  "How much would I get for my home, IF I was selling, I am not selling, but what if I was".  Or I get statements like the ones below that I feel are myths and they need to be broken.   
Real Estate Agents make alot … (1 comments)

SUPER MOM...NOT! - 02/05/07 10:24 PM
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 … (1 comments)

 

Christine Forgione - Associate Broker

Whitestone, NY

More about me…

1

Cell Phone: (917) 939-1086

Email Me

Active Rain Blog:

ActiveRain.com
<!-- SiteSearch Google -->


Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog