Christine Forgione - NyHouses4Sale Blog

Windsor Park Co-op SOLD

Christine Forgione - Associate Broker (1) — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 11:50:47 -0600

2 Bedroom WINDSOR PARK Co-op

Location: Windsor Park

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 $269,000To view more pictures of this Windsor Park listing.For more information call Christine

Information

Contact Information

Christine

917-939-1086

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Pricing

Asking Price: $264,000.00

Flexibility: Firm

Additional Pricing Information: Maint - $599.68

Property Location

73-63 Bell Blvd.
Bayside, NY 11361
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Features

Bedrooms: 2

Bathrooms: 1

Parking: Street

Subdivision: Co-op

Located on Floor #: 2

Floors in Bldg: 2

Agent Name: Christine

Broker: Carollo Real Estate

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Equal Housing Opportunity

VFLYER ID: 996545

Changes...

Christine Forgione - Associate Broker (1) — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 19:42:48 -0500

When I got my real estate license I did it for selfish reasons. I wanted to buy a house. I had no idea how or what to do to buy a house, so I figured in my one track mind that I would go to school and get a license - and boom - buy a house, just like that. Of course it did not happen that way.

I did get my license and I "interviewed" alot of real estate companies and decided on one that I felt would be the best fit for me. Little did I know that I would stay there for more than five years. Yes, I did buy my house but I also found a career that honestly, I loved.

I Sold My Soul.

That is what I did when I became the office manager for the one and only company that I worked for. After a few of my own deals and lot of learning and classes that I took through out a time period of a year and a half, I was offered the Manager position. It was not something that I jumped into to light hearteningly. I took my job very seriously and I treated the office like it was my own. But before I took the job I had alot of things to consider like:

I am an employee now, not an independent contractor.
My friends who were agents would have to deal with me as their boss.
It could/would change the magnitude of my relationship with my broker.
I could hate it and then be out of a job and never work as an agent again.
It could make or break my career.

I was right on all counts.

Everything Did Change.

From the minute I stepped into my "new office" I had changed the stride of the office. Sometimes agents would feel funny to "bitch" to me because they felt that I would go "tell on them", (which for the record, I never did - I always stuck up for everyone). I had alot to deal with from day one, but I felt like I could handle all the heat thrown my way. Many Some of the agents who worked in my office were mad at me because they were there longer than I was and some agents really wished me well. I sustained all the good and bad wishes. But to make a long story short, I did not take that "promotion" for the salary that was being offered. I took that position because I knew I would be good at it and again for selfish reasons - I wanted to know everything about real estate and how to run an office from the inside and out.

There was a bigger picture for me.

I am not talking about learning the ropes so I could go and open my own place, that is not what it was about. It was more like I needed to know everything so I could pass on my knowledge to others. I needed to know how to do everything because that was the only way I could do my job. I felt that there was going to be massive levels of growth with the company, but somewhere the road stopped for me.

Like Raising kids.

I have always said that managing an office is like raising kids. Just like a parent has to break up fights, so does a manager (I call it defusing). Just like a parent who has to teach a child how to become a responsible adult, a manager has to show an agent what to do sometimes but also when to back away and let that agent sink or swim. And just like a parent - you will always take pride with you when one of "yours" does a great job!

What now?

Many have asked where I have been and what I have been up to and like most of you already know, I left my previous broker to go onto bigger and better things. Although, currently I still have my license still with my previous broker - I have only resigned as office manager. It was a decision that again, I did not take lightly. Alot of thought and careful consideration went into my personal decision and to be honest, not because of how it would affect me but how it could or would affect my agents.

So after a month and a half later...

I have no regrets. I feel that I have always done the right thing for my broker and I have always had his best interest at heart and I will continue to do so. I know that there are bad feelings from his end and that is OK, it is something that he will have to live with. I am not mad, I was never mad - I was at a fork in the road and felt I had to take an opportunity that presented itself to me and I felt that I stopped growing with him. I was becoming stagnate and tired. I needed a change and I needed to do it quickly - So I took a position with a developer and I am learning a different aspect of real estate.

I am still selling real estate - it is something that I love to do and I feel that it is in my blood. I am still available to answer your calls and emails, so feel free to drop me a line whenever you have a question or a comment.

Originally Posted on NYHouses4Sale.com

How A Blog Can Benefit You..

Christine Forgione - Associate Broker (1) — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 19:38:01 -0500

October 16, 2007 was a great day at the MLS Tech Fair, it was a SOLD out event that I feel gave Realtors alot of useful information. Our Panel spoke about "How a Blog can Benefit You". Sitting with me on the panel was Linda Davis, Dan Green and the so famous Rudy and Joe - the blog tour boys. Our panel was suppose to run for an hour but the audience was so receptive, we ran into overtime and then some. The audience really were into learning about blogging. I actually over heard a few women in the hallway saying how overwhelmed and overloaded they felt with information and both women hoped that they remembered a quarter of what was said.

(Dan Green, Joe Ferrara and Phil Thomas Di Giulio from WellcomeMat.com)

I have to say that this was my first time speaking in public to that large of a group. My nerves were high prior to the panel sitting down but once we got started and I saw how receptive the audience was and I quickly relaxed and enjoyed the moment.

If there are people from that event reading this blog, I invite you to comment your thoughts and feelings about the session: What did you like? What should we change? Did you walk away with the urge to start your blog? Have you started a blog of your own yet?

I felt like our panel worked well together and gave alot of great information. But, I would like to know what the audience took away from the session (and think of it this way, this is your first step to blogging).

I want to thank MLSLI for inviting me and I look forward to reading your new blog (which I will add to my blog roll once you have it live). I want to extend my thank you to Jenny Natale and Beth O'Connor as well as the rest of the crew who assisted us. I was delighted to take part in such a great function that you planned. Do you do Weddings?

I would like to give a shout out to those who introduced themselves to me:

Wilfred E. Joseph - Daniel Gale
Mona Holzman - Century21, June Shapiro
Robin Gordon - Coldwell Banker
Ben Olivia - Keller Williams
Scott Mitchell - Century21, Laffey
Scott Forcino - ProRealEstateCity.com
Swaranjit Singh - Goldwin Realty

And to those who I already knew, it was great to see you and talk to each of you:

Paula Annaruma - PCA Realty
Barbara Gunn - Prudential, Franklin Square
Judy D. - Remax, Markowitz Group
Lois Hanson - Coach

And last - To the panel, You guys ROCK! It was such a pleasure to meet you Dan - Dan, I will think of you when I am cooking up my chili and the next time you are in NY, let me know! I did not see you before I left and I did not get to thank you in person. Sorry!

Linda, I think you and I could have talked for hours. Keep in touch, now that I know you work within the same area as FOXWOODS, you might have an overnight guest. Frequently! (Ok, I kid!)

I hope you both made it home safe!

To my best blogger buddies, what can I say? It is always a pleasure, I learn something new every time we meet. I wish you nothing but the best - always. I appreciate your coat tails and wings that you have provided me. Thank you is not enough!

Squeek, Squeek. I am just squeeking into the bronze group!

Christine Forgione - Associate Broker (1) — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 15:38:32 -0500

I am not sure if my story will be that inspiring to be honest with you. I have been a member for just about a year now and I am only getting to the 50k mark. That means that I am either very slow or I am not soaking myself with posts and comments every day (which I am sorry about). I have seen some abuse to the pointing system and well - to be honest, one of my first posts about the points system lead into a "cat fight" between Kristal Kraft and myself, in one of The Lovely Wifes post (Whom by the way took me off her side bar! :<>). Ironic!

Needless to say we all survived with very minimal scratches.

As most know, I have a regular blog as well as this Active Rain blog. I tend to do most of my posting on my regular blogbecause it is more local based. I have been getting alot of leads and contacts through my blog and I have made money by blogging.

Are there days I just can not think of a thing to say? Well, yes. There are a ton of days like that. Let me put it more like this - not that I don't have anything to say - I do - I almost always have something to say, but I was taught if "you don't have anything nice to say - than don't say anything". So those are the days that I am quiet. :>

Seriously though, I have learned alot from blogging either here and outside blogs and I have met some very cool people (Meeting Caleb and Jonathon are within my top 10) <-- Brownie points .. and plan to meet more.

Its so cool to be 50! Woohoo!

True or False? More One family homes foreclose than multi-units?

Christine Forgione - Associate Broker (1) — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 15:47:57 -0500

Let me clarify that the term "multi-family" consists of two or more units.

True or False: More one family homes foreclose than a multi-family homes?

Could be true. Micheal Sexton from Trumpblog posted an article today that stated more one family homes foreclose than multi-unit homes. An investor friend said to Micheal "Virtually all the foreclosed properties out there are single-family homes or condos," he said. "If you can find me more than a handful of foreclosed multi-unit properties, I'll eat my shirt. It's because people almost always make money in multi-units, so they don't go into foreclosure."

Interesting - No?

Well, I checked on PropertySharks.com and what I found was that there are some foreclosures of multi-units but they are 10:1 to single family homes and the ones that I did find were in less desirable areas which shows me that rent collected is less, therefore less rent roll means less revenue.

I can totally see it the way Micheal interprets it. But another way could be that most investors have alot more to lose. Look at it this way - to invest you need to have some cash at hand and if it is a commercial building than the minimum required down payment would be 30% - allowing finance of 70%. But also, if an investor is buying property to only create cash flow - they have made the numbers make sense.

Queens Foreclosure the highest in the five boro's!

Christine Forgione - Associate Broker (1) — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 15:43:55 -0500

Ryan Slack from PropertySharks.com talks about the foreclosures in all five Boro's. He explains that while all areas of NY have seen an increase - he is mostly worried with Queens and the rate that homes are coming up on the foreclosure list. I will admit it - I have seen a large incline in the number of homes that are pending or are in foreclosure, but keep in mind - when the analysts speak of Queens, it is not the Bayside, Whitestone, Flushing, Malba or Beechhurst area. They are talking more of Kew Gardens, Forest Hills, Rego Park, Woodhaven, Jamaica, Rockaway, Elmhurst and surrounding areas.

Tina Mattow the Marketing Communications Coordinator from PropertyShark.com sent me the final 2nd Quarter Foreclosure Report plus a couple quick screen shots of the data that they have collected.

Just by looking at the chart (I am only talking about the Queens 2nd quarter 2006 and the 2nd quarter 2007). You can clearly see that the foreclosures noted have just about doubled!

I think that the third quarter will be the most important to this graph. If you look at the fourth quarter of 2006 it was one of the lowest in two years, so with that being said I think the third quarter for '07 will set the marker and will really give us a sense of where this market is going. Hopefully we see some correcting itself here.

A Tenant you can refuse...(or not)

Christine Forgione - Associate Broker (1) — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 16:53:29 -0500

This morning I got an email from a landlord who is curious about what or how he can refuse a prospective tenant.

======Start of Email======

"Hi I read your blog and you have good info on there. Keep it up. I have become a new landlord, some apartments are already rented with leases and two are not. I have posted my own ads and I got alot of replies but some of them I am not to comfortable with renting to. Can I deny a tenant a[n] apartment?"

Well in short, yes.

You can deny a tenant an apartment but you must be careful on your reasons.

Valid reasons to deny:

Credit history.
Smoking.
Drug use.
Number of people. (Be careful on this one. You can not discriminate against a family or non-family) But if you have a one bedroom apartment and 7 people are looking to rent your apartment - yes, you can deny for the NUMBER of people not family status!
Pets.
Length of lease desired. (You are requesting a year lease and the tenant wants more or less).
Income to rent ratio.
Convictions - (including Sex predators)

Reasons that could be discriminating:

Family status (Married, divorcee, single, same sex marriage, etc.) Let me clarify, a landlord cannot say to a prospective tenant "Oh, I only want single people in here" or "Or I don't want a married couple because that only means they MIGHT have kids".
Race - (Do I need to explain? Thought NOT!).
Political Stance.
Religion.
Sexual orientation.
Disability.
Age. (Very gray area).

also read:

Explain your fees, Please.

Landlord, Tenants and Co-signers.

Questions ?

Have a great weekend, I will see you Monday!

Why a Reverse Mortgage?

Christine Forgione - Associate Broker (1) — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 16:51:24 -0500

My brother and his wife have entered into a situation that nobody would want to be in, they have a neighbor who has fallen very ill and they are the only ones who are there to "take care of him". This is not something that they have to do but more like something that they feel compelled to do, the elderly neighbor is old and is totally alone. At this point, he is unable to fully take care of himself and Medicare has made it clear that they will absorb and drain any money that he has in his name.

Its a sad fact to watch a man who served our country more than once, not get the proper care because he has "too much". Yes, he has "too much" but not enough to get him around the clock care.

Questions were raised and could only be answered by an Elder Care Attorney. This attorney advised the elderly man to take a reverse mortgage to help pay for his care. There is not enough cash in the bank to last more than two short months and there will be funds that need to be spent to ensure proper care.

So after I looked up some information about Reverse Mortgage, I can totally see how an elderly couple could fall into the pitfalls of the product. But, what other options do most elderly have. They have worked all their lives and they have become house rich but cash poor.

What is a Reverse Mortgage?

In short, a reverse mortgage is taking the value of your home and turning it into cash. The cash you get from a reverse mortgage can be paid to you in several ways:

one lump sum
as a regular monthly cash advance;
as a "credit line" account that lets you decide when and how much of your available cash is paid to you; or
as a combination of these payment methods.

Now the creative part of this whole product is the repayments. No matter which way you chose to have this loan paid to you, you don't have to pay anything back until you die, sell your home or actually just move out of the home, permanently. Keep in mind - the only way you would be eligible for most reverse mortgages is you must own your home and be 62 years of age or older.

Any Thoughts?

Queens Co-op: These are the rules and there is nothing you can do about it!

Christine Forgione - Associate Broker (1) — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:52:08 -0500

The past two years there has been an on going debate about a bill that would require co-op boards to fully disclose any board denials that they enforce for whatever reason. This is always focused on the Manhattan co-ops, but truth be told, I have seen alot of co-op boards denying applicants in the Whitestone, Beechhurst, Flushing and Bayside area.

An article today in the NYSun.com entitled Stalled Co-op Rights' Bill Gains Backers - June 22, 2007 says:

"If it were to pass, the bill would shine a brighter light onto the inner workings of New York City's powerful co-op boards, which were first required to begin disclosing sale prices in 2006.
The boards have long served as a point of intimidation for potential buyers, and real estate brokers say they coach their clients for interviews before the boards, picking out clothes, and narrowing down items to talk about."

Any thoughts? Have you been denied by a co-op board or is there anyone that you know that has been denied. I am interested in hearing some stories.

237 Lincoln Ave., Mineola, NY 11501

Christine Forgione - Associate Broker (1) — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 14:29:40 -0500

This is a great one family starter home in Mineola! Who can beat this price?

The adorable cape features 2 bedrooms, one full bath, a new kitchen, new windows, a two car private driveway, attic for storage and a partial finished basement.

Lot size: 2500Sq. Ft
Taxes: $4752.00
School District: 10 - Mineola

ASKING PRICE - $399,000

For more information call Christine from Carollo Real Estate at (917)939-1086. For real estate related articles Visit Nyhouses4Sale.typepad.com

FICO Scores - What you should know!

Christine Forgione - Associate Broker (1) — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 09:37:20 -0500

FICO Score and what you should know.

There are alot of factors that your credit score gets based on but the top six killers are:

1. High balance. - "Johnson estimates that you lose 1 point for every percent of your credit limit that you use. So if you have a total credit limit of $10,000 and have an outstanding balance of $4,000 (40%), your score would be 40 points lower than if you had a $0 balance. Ideally, credit experts say, you never want your balance to exceed 30 percent of your credit limit." (MSN.Com)

2. Late payments. - Pay on time! If by chance you can not pay it on time then pay in full, IF you can not do that the pay more than the minimum. I suggest setting up the automatic bill payments through your bank, you will never be late again!.

3. Not Enough Credit. - Banks like to see history and they can not judge how well or poorly you do with substantial credit. Its best to take out a car loan or bank loan and repay, on time. This will boost your score.

4. Length of Credit history. - Too young, too eager! You must build trust with the creditors. Start slow, start small and then build your foundation. It takes time and time on this matter is on your side.

5. Closing accounts. - I think we have all done this. You get a great offer in the mail "O%APR on transfers" I know I have. But one thing you should remember is not to close the account that you just transfered. Keep it open. If you close it, it could project your credit rating lower.

6. Not knowing. - Every person should check there own credit. Log onto MYFico.Com and view your rating as well as your history. If you are not checking your credit at least once a year then how would you know if your identity was or has been stolen?

Open House Ordering From McD's

Christine Forgione - Associate Broker (1) — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 09:33:07 -0500

Here is a summary of how my weekend went.

While I was doing an open house on Sunday a woman walk into the home, alone. She walked through the house fast and quite abruptly. When she left, I don't even think I got an acknowledgment - it was kind of like I pissed her off because I took her out of her car dragged her into the home and made her look at the home. When she showed up again with 7 people in tow, I have to say, I was quite surprised. I thought they were either here to beat me for dragging her into the home and forcing her to look or they were here to check it out and maybe make an offer.

Well I was right - (thankfully on the offer).

What was odd was how they presented the offer to me. I almost felt like I was working a drive through McDonald's window. They barked their offer, added some fries, tossed in an apple pie... - no not really - they just made it seem so .. I don't know - umm, matter of fact. There was no emotion, no happiness, no excitement - nothing. I actually was not sure if they even liked the home, that's how stone like they were.

Anyhow, I was thrilled to get an offer. It was something and it was a starting point and I know the seller is at a stand still with his plans until he sells this home, to be honest, I know he is willing to work any buyer who makes a solid offer. But, they did not cut it. You see - it was not just about the money, the reply no went much deeper.

There were CONTINGENCY'S - and ALOT of them.

Sellers have been spoiled a few years (months) ago most offers did not have any strings attached, homes sold without a hitch. Now? Not so much. I have always viewed a contingency as almost as a skin problem - they tend to just spread. If one contingency gets through another will pop up and another and so forth and so on. So nixing contingency's early is something that I tend to do.

The contingency's that these "buyers" were:

Mortgage - (OK, that is normal).
Upgrading to Viking appliances. (No joke, $20,000 right off the bat).
Closing Mid September. (Not too bad, could be workable)
10 year warranty on home (Its a new construction home, but 10 years? Riiighht).
They need to sell their home first (they can go into contract soon, but with only $7,000). - To me this is a red flag! The buyers are looking at a 1.2 Million dollar home, but only have $7,000 to put down, am I painting good enough picture for you?
Closing Credit - Here is where I think they lost me, the seller and their minds. They would come to almost full price on the home - IF the seller agreed to "GIFT' them back $75,000.

.....Picking myself off the floor.

Is that even legal?

So - welcome back world of contingencies! I so did not miss you!

House Alarm!

Christine Forgione - Associate Broker (1) — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 13:05:05 -0500

Breed: French Mastiff (Dogue de Bordeaux)

Weight: 160-170 lbs (head weighing about 40 lbs).

Temperament: Great! Loves our family - not fond of outsiders.

Best Quality: Will scare the crap out of anyone with one look. Bark comes from the gut and rattles my dishes in the cupboard.

One thing I could do without? DROOL. Ohhh, its bad. Really. Think "Turner and Hooch".

Would you mess with him??

When my husband and I bought our first house, we decided that we would need some sort of alarm system. So I called an alarm company. My husband called a breeder.

When I first met our dog we drove 1.5 hours to Rhode Island and the breeder met us with 17 pups. We were able to pick the pick of the liter if we wanted to. While we were playing with the pups the breeder decided that I should meet the father and mother of the liter so I could better gauge my decision as to which pup would be a good fit for me.

The breeder leaves and in an instant I saw a HUGE beast running right for me, his jowls were flapping in the wind and the paws were huge. Not just huge but HUGE! My face must have read something like "OH MY GAWD" because everyone kept asking me if I was OK.

OK? Am I OK? Are you guys crazy? What does this thing eat? Will my kids be safe? Is this a joke?

Looking at the cute fuzzy pups I had no idea that THEY would turn into THIS! I took my oldest son by the arm and threatened him to "Pick the SMALLEST pup in the liter".

Weeks and minutes this dog grew. He grew and he still kept growing. His drool was fierce and his protectiveness grew strong for our family. He became my youngest sons "puller" and protector from his older brother, barking loudly and seriously when my oldest son taunts my younger son. Just letting my oldest son know that he's watching.

Door bells, strange noises and strangers puts my dog on high alert. He is amazing!

For the record he eats only finely cooked meals - Chicken and high residue dog food. We cook for him every night. He has quickly become king of the house and its a throne that I have allowed him to keep (OK, its not a throne its a couch, but do you blame me?). People know what kind of alarm system I have - need I say more?

Selling? What is IN?

Christine Forgione - Associate Broker (1) — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 13:01:42 -0500

If you are selling or are thinking of selling here are some things that are "IN" -

Houses that are priced right. - No explanation needed on this. Pricing is key and everything that is priced right - SELLS!

Savvy Buyers and Sellers. - Companies like Zillow, Trulia, HotPads, Easy Street, Realtor.com and any other IDX feed website are the IN thing these days. Buyers and sellers want to be in the "know" - they don't want to rely on me to give them all the information - they will research and research until they KNOW what xyz sold for and what abc is asking. Self educating on mortgages, home buying process and inspections.

Upscale Garages. - If you are thinking about selling - then one suggestion that I can offer is deck out your garage. Put up shelves, cabinets, heating extra electrical outlets and perhaps a mini fridge. (I know MY husband would buy the house just for this.)

Home Office (Instead of fourth bedroom) - Ding Ding Ding. Whenever I show a house that has three bedrooms and the fourth room as an office the buyers love it. They love the idea that if they feel like working at home, they can, even if their boss won;t let them - they have that OPTION should it ever become available, because they have an office at home.

Heated Patios, driveways and walkways. - SLAM DUNK! Trust me. Any house that I showed that had a heated driveway was a sold house! The owner who installs radiant heat will never have to shovel snow again- Just flip a switch.

Central Air (not forced hot air). - Central air is a winner as well as the radiant driveway. No air conditioner in the windows and the rooms stay at a constant temperature that you wish. Very high on buyers wish list.

Finished basements. - Everyone needs a place to put the kids and all their stuff. Most buyers have this at the top of their wish list. When finishing a basement, remember to make sure that your basement does not have any sort of water problems. (I know, you would think people knew this already - but you would be surprised - trust me.)

Finished attics (could be used as an office) - Remember this - any room that does not have heat (and most attics don't) is not considered or can be counted as a bedroom. So, if you finished off an attic and there is no source of heat to the room, then it is not or can not be called a bedroom, BUT - you can call it an office!

Room with colors. - Let's put a guideline on this. Some people out there do not love red - so be careful when picking out the colors. Any room that has color on the walls is a warmer room than one that is just painted white.

Creating an outdoor living space. - Imagine moving into a house that has included the backyard in the decorating. There is an outdoor BBQ space, paver's, and well manicured lawn. This is an area that most homeowners don't take care of but when I see a home that has a drop dead backyard - the home can demand and will demand a higher selling price. Utilize the yard!

Honey Do List: Check Home Owners Policy..

Christine Forgione - Associate Broker (1) — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 12:59:09 -0500

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 homeowner did not up the value of their home with their insurance agent. So, the policy will be less than what the home will cost to rebuild. This includes any renovations, repairs and upgrades that a homeowner has completed. Today to build a quite modest house in Queens could cost you more than you have on your policy.

Another reason why you should check on your homeowners policy is because the insurer could have changed your policy. Insurance companies are always changing and "updating" policies - sometimes not for the benefit of the homeowner either. So the homeowner might think that they have flood insurance, because they bought the policy with it, but unknown to the homeowner the insurer stopped writing policies with flood a long time ago. So homeowners need to pay close attention to what's in their policies.

Make sure you add this to your "Honey Do list".

73-63 Bell Blvd. Windsor Park, Bayside NY 11364 - SOLD

Christine Forgione - Associate Broker (1) — Tue, 22 May 2007 11:25:34 -0500

2 Bedroom WINDSOR PARK Co-op

Location: Windsor Park

Information

Contact Information

Christine

917-939-1086

Contact Reply Form

Forward to a Friend

View Other Flyers

Pricing

Asking Price: $269,000.00

Flexibility: Firm

Additional Pricing Information: Maint - $599.68

Property Location

73-63 Bell Blvd.
Bayside, NY 11361
View Map

Features

Bedrooms: 2

Bathrooms: 1

Parking: Street

Subdivision: Co-op

Located on Floor #: 2

Floors in Bldg: 2

Agent Name: Christine

Broker: Carollo Real Estate

Photo Gallery

View as Slideshow View Photo Gallery (2 Photos)

Equal Housing Opportunity

VFLYER ID: 996545

New Construction High Ranch in Flushing North, 11358

Christine Forgione - Associate Broker (1) — Tue, 22 May 2007 11:17:31 -0500

11358 Flushing North - New Construction - High Ranch

Location: Flushing North

Located in the heart of Flushing North,11358 this magnificent new three bedroom, two and a half bath home offers 2,900 square feet of living space. Currently under construction with time for you to add your own personal touches. This Master piece of a home features a stately great room w/fireplace that welcomes you to the first level of this dream home. The Living room and huge eat in kitchen boasts a wide open floor plan. The Master bedroom suite offers a full granite bath. The additional details that were applied include granite floors, chef like kitchen with all top of the line stainless steel appliances. This High Ranch home will also have an alarm system and a 1.5 car garage and so much more will complete this handsome home

Information

Contact Information

Christine Forgione

917-939-1086

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Pricing

Asking Price: $1,299,000.00

Flexibility: Negotiable

Property Location

29-12 170th Street
Flushing , NY 11358
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Features

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 3

Parking: Garage

Year Built: 2007

Lot Size: 20x100

Garage Size: 2 car

Agent Name: Christine Forgione

Broker: Carollo Real Estate

Attributes

Appliances

Range/Oven

Dishwasher

Sink Disposal

Interior Amenities

Fireplace

Hardwood Floors

Security System

Kitchen Island

Vaulted Ceilings

Basement

Attic

Exterior Amenities

Patio

Fenced Yard

Grass Lawn

Photo Gallery

View as Slideshow View Photo Gallery (6 Photos)

Equal Housing Opportunity

VFLYER ID: 996539

Soap operas on-line.

Christine Forgione - Associate Broker (1) — Thu, 17 May 2007 08:48:27 -0500

I hope that all the new bloggers that are entering into the web world will make a mental note of what I feel is sound advice. I also hope that all the veterans who are out there will take into consideration the correct way to use a blog.

Relating news about you.
Relating news about your area.
Relating sound advice about buying, selling, renting, investing, etc.
Announcing great new ideas, new developments, new homes for sale, etc.
Self-promoting. (don't be appalled, MY main objective is to promote ME and if yours isn't then you should stop blogging).

Now some of even the more brilliant bloggers sometimes forget that a blog (unless started for that reason) is not to be used to:

Pass judgement maliciously about another.
Personally attack another blogger and their supporters.

As sad as it is, these things do happen and more people wind up getting involved then should - but how do blogger friends keep quiet? Natural instincts tend to want to defend, especially when testosterone is involved.

But here is what ultimately happens when you fall into the ugliness of this sort of Blogging.

You wind up looking like a scorned jealous person.
You make the other person look better than you.

My advice?

Be an adult. If you have something to say about someone then say it to them not to the rest of the world, do it privately because I am sick of having my feed-reader filled up with high-school antics that do not appeal to me.

I provided no links to either party and they should be thankful that I did not.

Jumping into Spring.......

Christine Forgione - Associate Broker (1) — Wed, 16 May 2007 14:59:21 -0500

I might be one of the few people who dreads Springtime. Its not for any other reason but for the effect that it has on selling Real Estate. Its bad - really!

I have had sellers tell me that they want to wait until the springtime to list their home. Now, don't get me wrong - I do understand their reasons - I don't think they understand mine.

1.) Noses and Roses - Never fails - during the Spring months open houses should be called Nosy Neighbors. Thats really all it is. You have the neighbors out doing their own house work around their home - that they are not selling - they will stop gardening, washing the cars or windows to just "stop in and take a look".

2.) Communions, Confirmations and Graduations - Ugh! Way to much going on. Serious buyers are NOT looking at houses when there are weddings, communions and or confirmations to go to. The buyers become overwhelmed and they put off finding a home until the FALL!

3.) 100+ - Who in their right mind wants to move in JUNE/JULY? Well - if you sell now, go to contract and tie all loose ends most likely - (unless its a cash deal) you wont be closing until late June or early July! WHO wants to lift furniture in a heat wave?

4.) Could careless - Hey, lets face it - we all do it. I am going to put off all my things that MUST get done until it rains out. I wont go shopping in a mall from here on out unless it rains. WHO wants to waste a beautiful sunny day looking at homes or other things? I wanna be out - outside that's it!

5.) Everything looks so pretty now - who wants to move when they love how their home looks right now? Yeah - it might be too small - who cares? It looks great! Ohhh, it might be run down, but I LOVE the flowers in the front! Ok, so I only have one bathroom for 5 people - we can now shower in the yard! Who cares. MY house is great, I changed my mind -I don't want to move!

What to do if your home is currently on the market?

Well - first off, don't do anymore open houses - unless there is rain in the forecast. Don't do any - seriously, NO open houses at all in the month of May.
- LOWER your price - (that is only for the people who really want to sell!)
-Be available to show every time you have a sparked interest!
-Curb Appeal - Play it up!

Real Estate Recruiting.....

Christine Forgione - Associate Broker (1) — Tue, 15 May 2007 15:19:41 -0500

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 learning. I have been learned and I am getting better at it and for the record, it is still not one of my favorite things to do but I am catching on.

Recruiting is an ongoing thing. I see that my 'regular' agents get upset when they see either my broker or I hiring agents, I can understand and totally relate to their fears but it is an ingredient that makes the brokerage continue to grow.

I am becoming more picky.

This is one thing that I lacked. In the beginning, if the agent could form a full sentence and they remembered how to match their socks and if the passed the NYS DOS Real Estate exam - I pretty much was impressed and hired them.

I was always quickly exhausted and extremely let down. Of course the agents career was very short lived but it still took time out of my day to go over what was expected of them.

Today things are different, I have requirements. REAL Requirements. If more than one or two are not met, sadly I can not hire that agent. (Every so often my broker tosses me a hiree to train - but that is for another post).

The ability to connect with people,
Believing what they are about to embark in is hard work.
Ability to run and run fast if needed.
Common Sense.
FULL TIME . (this is huge for me now a days )
Have bought or sold a house on their own. (can be a bit flexible on this)
Flexible in days worked.
THE DRIVE TO MAKE MONEY.
The knowledge that their success is not sitting on MINE or my brokers shoulders.
Knowledge that they have to network and advertise - for themselves.
Knowledge that they are self employed and their earnings are SOLELY dependent on HOW hard they want to work.
Ability to drive. (Don't roll your eyes - seen it).
Computer/Internet savvy.

Above and beyond anything else the ONE factor that I look for in an agent is trust. If they can trust me in what I am suggesting (notice how I did not say telling them) to do and if I can trust them to represent this company in a manner that won't bite me in the arse then I can work with that agent. I don't like sneaks, I don't like liars and I so don't like shady greedy people.

Young agents getting their start - Newsday

Are You an Effective Leader? How Brokers Contribute to Agent Success - RISMedia

The Real Deal - Upfront costs rise for agents

An important conversation...

Christine Forgione - Associate Broker (1) — Tue, 15 May 2007 14:31:26 -0500

Last week I went to show a buyer a co-op in the LeHavre development and while we were in the apartment looking out the window she was asking me what buildings were what and as I was telling her about The Beechhurst Towers, she interrupts me and says "Charlie Chaplin used to live there."

As I laughed, I said "yes, how did you know... did you read that on my blog?"

"THAT'S how I knew you, I knew I knew you!"

From Pat Combs... President of NAR

Christine Forgione - Associate Broker (1) — Tue, 15 May 2007 14:26:48 -0500

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 them to stay afloat and surpass the "traditional" brokerage? In my honest opinion - no, I don't think. I can't ever see Redfin going head to head with a New York agent. But - this is not where I would voice my concern.

I have more to say about this special, which I will do on another post. Here is a copy of the email. I am curious to know if consumers watched this and what their thoughts are about the special. I know alot of people want to contact me through email and that is fine, I am asking for feedback so either way you feel comfortable to communicate with me is welcomed!

Here is the link for the special if you missed it.

Dear Fellow REALTOR:

I am disappointed and dismayed at the biased story that 60 Minutes aired on Sunday evening. I want to let you know that we've been working to stay on top of this story.

One of the most difficult challenges we face is educating the news media about today's real estate industry. There's no better example than this 60 Minutes show. For more than a year, NAR worked with the producers who put the segment together and offered several spokespersons to be interviewed for the show, including myself. Yet, NAR's voice was strangely and noticeably absent from the segment though CBS gave time to two critics who disagree with our policies on the display of listings on the Internet.

At times, NAR and REALTORS&#174 have often been the subject of less than accurate news coverage. Your association and its professional staff is making every effort to get the REALTOR&#174 message out to the news media. The result is that only a fraction-less than five percent-of the vast news media we receive is negative.

We encourage all of you to contact CBS to voice your concerns -- maybe have some of your satisified customers do the same.

Thank you for your support.

Pat V. Combs
President

Related Articles:

See what other consumers are saying!!!

60 Minutes from a Consumer - A Non- Realtor

Broker Bryant - RedSpin simply spun!

Laurie manning - Shame on you Redfin

Lenn Harley - 60 MINUTES - PUBLIC PUFF PIECE BY PURVEYORS OF PUBLICITY FOR THE PERCENTAGE POSSESSED

60 Minutes Segment on Real Estate Biased: Industry Responds : RISMedia

Inman News Blog: What's your take?

NAR: NAR Responds to 60 Minutes' May 13, 2007 Segment

2 Crown Street, Hicksville, NY 11040

Christine Forgione - Associate Broker (1) — Tue, 01 May 2007 15:28:10 -0500

Hicksville Ranch features 3 bedrooms, full bath, a beautiful sun room, living room, dining room and a full huge eat in kitchen. This home also has a finished basement with a half bath and a laundry area. Property size is 47x167 - plenty of room for you to add a huge pool!

Taxes - $5037
Asking Price $499,999

For more information call Christine from Carollo Real Estate at (917)939-1086. For real estate related articles Visit Nyhouses4Sale.typepad.com

640 Willis Ave, Williston Park, NY 11596

Christine Forgione - Associate Broker (1) — Tue, 01 May 2007 15:18:24 -0500

Beautiful Legal 3 Family House Located in the Herricks School District. Three one bedroom apartments, Full bath, large Living Room and Eat In Kitchens. All apartments feature high ceilings, community drive, 2 Parking Spots, $8818.00 Annual taxes and $7500 add'tl annual expense with a possible $38,000 Rent Roll. Two Apartments Rented, First Floor Still Vacant. Owner willing to hold Mortgage.

Asking Price - $549,000

Taxes - $ 8818.00 a year.
Lipa, KeySpan, Water and Misc. Maint fees. - $7515.00 a year.

**Click Here to view more pictures**

For more information call Christine from Carollo Real Estate at (917)939-1086. For real estate related articles Visit Nyhouses4Sale.typepad.com

29-12 170th Street, Flushing, Ny 11358

Christine Forgione - Associate Broker (1) — Tue, 01 May 2007 15:12:41 -0500

Located in the heart of Flushing North 11358, this magnificent new three bedroom, two and a half bath home offers 2,900 square feet of living space.

This Master piece of a home features a stately granite great room w/a stone fireplace that welcomes you to the first level of this dream home. The Living room and huge eat in kitchen boasts a wide open floor plan. The Master bedroom suite offers a full granite bath. The additional details that were applied include granite floors, chef like kitchen with all top of the line stainless steel appliances. This High Ranch home will also have an alarm system and a 1.5 car garage and so much more will complete this handsome home. More Photos to follow. All taxes have not been verified. (Confirmation once C/O has been issued).

Asking Price $ 1.299,000

For more information call Christine from Carollo Real Estate at (917)939-1086. For real estate related articles Visit Nyhouses4Sale.typepad.com