Irena's Blog

Immaculate move in condition townhouse in desirable localion

2008-10-07T11:56:33Z

IMMACULATE, MOVE IN CONDITION TOWNHOUSE IN DESIRABLE LOCATION! ALL APPLIANCES ARE STAYING, ALL LIGHT FIXTURES ARE STAYING, CUSTOM WINDOW TREATMENTS, CUSTOM INTERIOR DOOR, PROFESSIONALLY PAINTED, 52' BUILT IN T.V, GAS FPL IN FAMILY RM, TRULY MUST SEE! IMPECCABLE TASTE THRU OUT, SPOTLESS. YARD FULLY DECKED. NO MAINTENANCE.
Basement:	LARGE DEN OR FAMILY ROOM WITH BUILT IN TV, FIREPLACE, 3/4 BATH , STORAGE UNDER STAIRS, SLIDING DOORS TO PRIVATE BACKYARD
Level 1:	ENTRY FOYER, COAT CLOSET, GARAGE DOOR ENTRY TO GARAGE, 5 STEPS DOWN TO FAMILY ROOM
Level 2:	FORMAL LIVING ROOM, A FEW STEPS UP TO NICE SIZE EIK W/LARGE EATING AREA, 1/2 BATH, LAUNDRY ROOM	Level 3:	EXTRA LARGE BEDROOM W/2 CLOSETS, LINEN CLOSET, FEW STEPS UP TO 4 PIECE BATH W/DOUBLE SINKS & SEPARTE SHOWER, LARGE MASTER BEDROOM W/DEEP CLOSETS

Asking $ 344,900

two family detached home

2008-10-07T11:51:56Z

	Extra large home, on a beautiful block. Large rooms, 12 Foot ceilings in the living area, large eat in kitchen with skylight; 4-piece master bath with skylight has lots to offer. Priced to sell. Make your appointments today.
Basement:	FULL BASEMENT, LAUNDRY, UTILITIES, DOOR TO YARD
Level 1:	ENTRY FOYER, DEN, GARAGE, 3/4 BATH, OFFICE OR FAMILY ROOM
Level 2:	LIVING ROOM, DINING ROOM L-SHAPED, LARGE EIK WITH SKY LIGHT, 4-PIECE FULL BATH SKY LIGHT , EXTRA LARGE MASTER BEDROOM, 2 LARGE BEDROOMS	Asking $599,900

two family house staten island ny

2008-10-07T11:47:30Z

Bigger then a detached house, Magnificent 2 family semi, 3 bedrooms all large size rooms with walk in closet, master bedroom with private ¾ bath. Beautiful kitchen with granite tops and back splash. Huge attic, laundry room, cathedral ceilings, 2 zone heat & A/C, hi-hats. An absolute must have!
Basement:	NONE
Level 1:	ENTRY FOYER, COAT CLOSET, GARAGE, 1 BEDROOM APARTMENT
Level 2:	LIVING ROOM, DINING ROOM, LARGE EIK, FAMILY ROOM, SLIDERS TO TREX DECK & YARD	Level 3:	BEDROOM, LINEN CLOSET, BEDROOM, FULL BATH, LARGE MASTER BEDROOM W/PRIVATE 3/4 BATH

Dispelling Misconceptions of Today’s Market

2008-10-06T10:45:04Z

Before examining the latest data, it's a good idea to put concerns in perspective on current market conditions. Granted, there's plenty of negative economic news at the moment, and a lot of it is specifically tied to the housing market. Still, it's also true that a lot of misleading information is floating around. The media tends to focus on the markets that have been hit hardest, and ignore those where housing has remained relatively strong.

It's unfortunate, because misleading information scares both sellers and buyers. And when buyers and sellers are scared, it only makes matters worse. Consumer confidence falls, buyers hold back, inventories grow, and downward pressure builds on prices. Lower prices, in turn, raise foreclosure rates and generate more negative headlines.

While this has been the prevailing theme for the last 39 months it's still important to understand and address buyers' and sellers' concerns. Your sellers may feel pressure with the lack of buyer confidence on a local level, because the situation in their neighborhood could be dramatically different from what their reading and hearing in the news. Please keep in mind as the media continues on reporting negative information they never mention any specific locations.

Of course, broader concerns about the state of the economy have also played a role in eroding homebuyer confidence. But like the housing market, economic conditions vary greatly from one geographic area to another. And jobs in some industries are much more secure than others. Buyers should be encouraged to look at their own situation, which is much more relevant than what they read or hear in the news.

Every sales agent should educate the consumer on prices, and inventory levels that have been trending locally. Pricing your client's home is 85% key when looking to attract buyers and offers in today's market. Fair Market Value which typically means the highest value an educated consumer will pay is usually not the asking price in most cases.

Signs of Improvement:

A quarterly survey, released in August by NAR, shows that buyers are starting to respond to discounted home prices. Nearly a quarter of metropolitan areas showed rising home prices in the second quarter from a year ago, with greatly mixed conditions continuing around the country. But it was encouraging to see that the biggest home sales gains since the first quarter of this year were in some of the markets that had experienced the steepest and fastest price drops. Some of those declining markets included: Sacramento, CA (-35.6%), Ft. Meyers, FL (-33.1%), and San Bernardino, CA (-32.7). Other markets of significant growth included: Yakima, WA (8.9%), Binghamton, NY (8.7%), Amarillo, TX (7.2%), to name a few. Solid price growth still occurred in numerous areas, despite the negative news that dominates the headlines.

Lately I've had the privilege of speaking with many fellow agents in Staten Island on the subject of our weak economy and how this is going to effect our industry and our future sales. One thing is certain as we see many of our fellow sales agents bailing out. Those of us who remain will prevail. We will prevail by working together and by building the confidence back to the consumers. Like all down markets are followed by stronger ones, the agents who are in it for the long haul and continue to work through this economic debacle will succeed as history has always repeated itself.

How many offers need to be rejected to sell a house.

2008-08-29T15:45:55Z

I listed this home 43 days ago the listing price is 434,000 and during this time we had 25 showing requests which 14 potential buyers had looked at the property and 11 appointments were declined by the seller. We had 4 offers 3 of them are bellow 400,000 and 1 is at 420,000 the buyer is well qualified with 20% downpayment has nothing to sell and is willing to close whenever the seller is ready. the seller is asking 430,000 and not a penny less. The buyer feels that they have offered top dollar. This homeowner just does not understand how lucky he is to have recieved 4 offers in todays market, 1 that is actualy alot higher then all others and how lucky he is to have a 20% qualified buyer.

I just can't believe that this homeowner is going to let this buyer get away and end up loosing so much money.

Wonder what your thoughts are....

Hot New Listing. New On The Market,

2008-08-09T09:32:24Z

Reduced $25,000 with in 2 weeks. Owner says Sell

Via Irena Popilevsky:

Excellent 2 family semi, 3 bedrooms over 2 bedrooms, mint condition. Extra large backyard with a legal deck, all equipped with children's playground, garden with veggies and grapes. All on a beautiful block. Make an appointment today you will not be disappointed. $ 434,000

Hot New Listing. New On The Market,

2008-07-19T13:10:19Z

Excellent 2 family semi, 3 bedrooms over 2 bedrooms, mint condition. Extra large backyard with a legal deck, all equipped with children's playground, garden with veggies and grapes. All on a beautiful block. Make an appointment today you will not be disappointed. $ 434,000

Who's working the buyer?

2008-07-11T22:43:50Z

The first thing that I was talled the first day I started in real estate was " listings are the name of the game" back then it did not make any sence at all. as I profressed in my real estate carrier I learned that it is realy true. the next thing that I was talled was " if you have listings the buyers will come" so now 7 years later and averaging 12-15 listing in my inventory on a regular basis I can not help but wander ????

Where are the buyers???? Did the real estate business take a different direction? or what???

HOT NEW LISTING

2008-06-28T13:03:49Z

LOOK NO FURTHER THIS HOME HAS IT ALL. LARGE ROOMS THRU-OUT, GARAGE, FINISHED BASEMENT, MASTER BEDROOM W/ 3/4 BATH, FULL BATH WITH JACUZZI TUB, SEPARATE SHOWER, SIDE YARD ON BOTH SIDES. HARDWOOD FLOORS, CERAMIC TILES, FIREPLACE IN LIVING ROOM, 2 ZONES HEAT AND AIR.
Basement:	FAMILY ROOM, GARAGE, LAUNDRY ROOM
Level 1:	FOYER, LIVING/DINING ROOM COMBO, FIREPLACE, 1/2 BATH, LARGE EIK W/YARD ACCESS
Level 2:	MASTER BEDROOM W/3/4 BATH, 2 BEDROOMS, FULL BATH W/JACUZZI TUB	$ 589,000

total living space is 2680 Sqft.

Great Home needs a buyer now who's able to close quickly.

2008-06-14T09:46:36Z

MINT! MOVE RIGHT IN TO THIS BEAUTIFUL 1 FAMILY DETACHED FOR THE PRICE OF A SEMI. 3 BEDROOMS, FULL FINISHED BASEMENT, WATERVIEWS, ON CUL-DE-SAC. TOO MANY EXTRAS TO LIST. MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY!

The Price is right!

2008-06-08T18:54:01Z

Attention all two family home buyers out there. there is a house for sale out there for you and you are missimg out.Brooklyn and queens, you are the people who always want to be minuted to Verazzanno Bridge, shopping and transportation. So here I bring to you a great value for your money SERIOUSLY! wake up and call me to schedule a private showing of this large 2 family home. you should see the huge eat in kitchen the size of 3 kitchens combined. I am not kidding this is true! and where are you going to get a townhouse that offers a private full bath with a tub and a shower in the master bedroom??? where??? I am telling you, just recently these type of homes where selling over $500,000 now, you can ownt his home for 475,000 or less. You owe it to yourself to view this lovely home. Call Now!!! or you will be SORRY!!!!

Homeowner In Tears.

2008-06-02T18:54:01Z

I wanted to share a story with you. I went to visit a homeowner today that is currently 6 months behind on her mortgage payments. The house is in an undesirable neighborhood and is falling apart. Ther are also several homes on the same block that are REO's and are borded up. I spoke with her about her situation ( I will not get to it in detail because it's private ) she tells me that she took out a home equity line of credit of $350,000 last August to help her two other children to bring their mortgages current. $200,000 for one home and $150,000 for the other. (can you believe this?? Oh My G O D !!!) she was hurt at her job and now recieves $600.00 in desabilty ( monthly mortgage payment is $3,500 ) The house that she helped to bring current (150K) was eventually foreclosed on anyway and now her son is in a shelter. She inhereted this home in 1974 fom her landlord, she raised all of her 5 children there and her mother past away there too. So you see the centemntal value. To make a long story short, The amount of repairs is unbelievable. my CMA did not look good at all. around $150,000. During our meeting the homeowner cried and at timeswas hystericaly laoughing, but in the end she said " I am so happy that you came to visit me and gave the facts " I still hope that I will be able to help her.

Move That Property faster

2008-05-27T11:28:14Z

I read this article this morning that is stating that if you are marketing a home with a fire sprinkler system, you've got a great selling feature. It talks about how having a fire sprinkler puts the home on a distinct advantag over others.Does it really??????? I don't know. I add home warranty protection to my listings and using it as a marketting tool to atract more buyers. but you know what?? I don't think that it really helps. honestly, I have not met one family yet, who would be interested in purchasing a home just because it has a fire sprinkler or a home warranty or whatever. Buyers want to love the house, love the location and love the price. I think, unless you take identical homes on theame block or street to compare, the extra features will not make a differance.

Priced Reduced! Let's Get an Offer! Priced at $429,000

2008-05-16T13:08:11Z

Just reduced today, this home has the potential! Really!

LARGE SPLIT LEVEL HOME, 2 1/2 BATHS, FAMILY ROOM, PRICED FOR QUICK SALE, NEAR SHOPPING, TRANSPORTATION AND GREAT SCHOOLS. HOMES NEEDS SOME TLC.
Basement:	STORAGE , UTILITIES, DOOR TO YARD
Level 1:	ENTRY FOYER, 1/2 BATH, LIVING ROOM, LARGE BEDROOM , BATH, EIK, PANTRY CLOSET
Level 2:	DEN W/ACCESS TO DECK AND BACK YARD W/ABOVE GROUND POOL, BEDROOM W/SHOWER	Level 3:	L-SHAPE LIVING ROOM, DINING ROOM, EIK W/SKY LIGHT, 3 BEDROOMS, FULL BATH W/SKY LIGHT, 1/2 BATH

Excellent commission and a great price = still can not sell this house

2008-05-15T21:52:37Z

I have a great listing. it is a 2 family home in an excellent condition and it shows beautifuly. the price is marketable and is priced 35,000-40,000 below 2 comperable homes in the same neighborhood. the commission is 6% with 50/50 split. I just do not understand what is the problem??????

Your Home's Virtual Tour and Details Featured On T.V.

2008-05-14T12:48:16Z

As a Full time Realtor here on Staten Island, I undrstand that exposure of your home to potential buyers is what will get the right buyer for your house and the most market price possible. So when you hire me to manage the marketting and sale of your home, I will create a professional digital virtual tour with voice details discription of your home on Television, on the "Real Estate Home Show" This show airs locally , nationwide and Internationaly.

Mortgage Brokers vs. Mortgage Banks

2008-05-14T11:58:41Z

The word is out there. it has been said that Mortgage banks and direct lenders are eliminating mortgage brokers.

On that note I just wanted to voice my thoughts about it. Buyers! be carefull! when you find the home of your dreams and are negotiating your offer to purchase and getting yourself pre-approved or pre-qualified for the financing of your new home purchase, you are probebly better off speaking to a direct lender vs. a mortgage broker. Now direct lenders not necesarily mean that it has to look like a bank, in other words, you do not have to walk into a bank. There are direct lenders who operate with in an office. You just need to be carefull and use your gut feeling. If you spoke to several lenders and you kind of receiving similar information and then someone gives you an offer that sounds better then all the rest, a red light should go on in your head. In other words, if its sounds too good to be true, then it is probebly too good to be true.

Home Value Trends On Staten Island

2008-05-14T11:31:47Z

According to Zillow's latest Home Value Report, home values in Staten Island decreased 0.3% in the first quarter of 2008, compared to the first quarter of 2007. Nationally, single-family home values decreased 7.5% while condo values declined 9.0% during this same period. Median U.S. home values experienced the most significant year-over-year decline in 12 years, pushing values back to 2005 levels. Meanwhile, one out of every two homeowners who purchased during the market peak in 2006 is now underwater on their mortgage.

So, I hope all of you out here who are looking to buy, the time is now! All of you who bought your home within 2005 and 2006, please note that this is not the time to move.

Foreclosures On Staten Island

2008-05-13T13:05:29Z

Did you know on December 20, 2007 President Bush signed into LAW ....

The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act Of 2007 H.R. 3648

If you are at least 30 days behind on your mortgage, then you mortgage company is willing to consider completely forgiving a significant portion of your mortgage debt.

The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act Of 2007

2008-05-12T13:53:43Z

Dear Friends,

If you're at least 30 days behind on your mortgage, then your mortgage company is willing to consider completely forgiving a significant portion of your mortgage debt ( providing you go through the proper process ). The portion they forgive, under H.R. 3648, is no longer counted as personal income and CANNOT be taxed by the federal government!

So if you are behind on your mortgage, I'd like to introduce you to the light at the end of the tunnel... Program 3648. Program 3648 is a nationwide initiative whose mission is to:

1. Help homeowners receive the mortgage debt forgiveness this new law encourages.

2. Rescue as many homeowners from public foreclosures as possible.

You'll be pleased to know that under PROGRAM 3648:

1. You receive all services, consultation, and information absolutely FREE. Guaranteed!

2. You're assigned a certified program adminitrator to do all the work for you.

I am actualy the certified program administrator in Richmond County assigned to do all the work for you. My team is currently helping hundreds of homeowners receive the debt forgiveness they need to stop a potential public foreclosure!

You may contact me at your convenience for additional information.

staten island first time home buyers

2008-04-28T21:39:01Z

latley i have been meeting with first time home buyes and the one issue that always comes up is that they seem to be very much interestead in purchasing theire first home. But now we talk about financing and downpayment and I discover that they only have $10,000 total to cover downpayment and closing costs. I wanted to share this with you and also get feedback from you. Do you experience the same kind of first time home buyers? or is it just stateme????

What does your referral source really want?

2008-04-25T10:49:00Z

We tend to spend most of our time on generating referrals, getting referrals, inviting referrals so I thought it would be time for us to rethink what our referral sources really want from us. It is pretty simple actually.

1- Update. they want to be informed. In other words, they want to know, did you make any contact? how did it go? and can you provide the assistance needed?

2- They want to be appreciated for referring someone to you.

3- They want to be noticed and recognized by both you and the person they reffered.

4- They want great and exceptional service.

So let's give it to them

irenapopilevsky.com

2008-04-19T14:58:08Z

I just started creating my website for homeowners and buyers. I am so excited to be able to give to all buyers and sellers a website with links they can click on for school information, points of interest and properties to buy, sell or rent. I specialize in foreclosure properties and have a complete page dedicated to the homeowner who is in trouble or needs advice on what they can do to refinance their mortgage. My website is irenapopilevsky.com take a look and let me know what you think.

Deal Or No Deal ? Made a Great Deal.

2008-03-27T12:43:02Z

Here is how I helped an anxious seller to get the most for her Condo as possible in today's buyers market.

We listed the condominium oproximatley 2 months ago at $849,000 although I had advised this homeowner that it is close to $100,000 overpriced in today's market conditions. I did do my homework and I did prepare an inteligent Market analysys for her but she insisted at listing it at her price. I have prepared a Delux marketing plan as I do for all of my clients and went work. There were 2 inquiries and 0 appointment requests. On a weekly bases I reported to the client and providing status of the current events. Last week she agreed to adjust the price to 799,000 because she now agrees that the price was too high. 3 days later, a well qualified buyer looks at the condo and makes an offer of 715,000. The homeowner does not want to entertain this offer at all. I convinced her to counter-offer, she counters high because she feels that she will have personal expenses non related to the transaction and refuses to cooperate. I go back to the buyer and ask him to come up, The buyer raises theire offer , the homeowner does not accept. I asked the homeowner " will you accept 750,000 if I can get the buyer to pay this price?" which is realy the market price of this condo. She says " obsolutely not " minutes later she said to go ahead. We have a Deal at 750,000.

To make a long story short. Buyers are still looking to buy. Homeowners can not accepct a buyer to pay for their expenses. The key is Price it right, it is what it is. Sell if you want to move on or you can alway stay where you are.

Trusted in one hour.

2008-01-26T12:40:35Z

I recieved a call from a potential buyer that viewed one of my listiong on the internet. we had a lovely conversation, I went through the usuall interview of how, what, where etc.... We set up an appointment to view several homes for the weekend. As they arrived in my office, I went through the inventory, let them know which home we will be seeing first and asked them to sign the disclosures. The women looked at me and said " No, No, No, we don't want to sign anything now. I just said " you know what? don't worry about it, that's O.k."

later that evening, she called me and said, "Irena, I am sos sorry that I did not want to sign these forms for you. I will sign anything that you need me to sign, and I would like to make an offer on this house"

It is such a great feeling.