Luke Constantino November 21, 2009

As everyone who is in the real estate business already knows, 2009 have been a very challenging year. We have seen clients/customers go in all different directions. Yes, there are very good deals out there due to the financial crisis, but a lot of people did not lower their prices. I have done quite a few short sales, but I cannot look into the eyes of the people with the financial hardships. There is a lot of business out there; you just have to be skilled and versatile enough to move with the times.

Majority of the time, lawyers (at least here in NYC) are very short and non responsive to Realtors/agents. You add in the financial crisis, a few nervous clients and "BAM!!" these lawyers can become very aggravated! I have had more arguments with lawyers this year than any other time. Attorneys have many other venues in which you can do business in, real estate is mine... Can't we all just get along?

The rules and qualifications to get a loan have changed so much these past 3 years. It seems like every bank, S&L and Mortgage Company have their own rules. From what I see, Citibank has turned down the most amounts of people. I have called them on behalf of clients numerous times. Sometime this works, sometimes not. The one most annoying line I have heard them all say is ‘I understand"... Didn't they get a bail put package?

It's hard enough living here in NYC. We have a mayor who raised ever tax imaginable and has given out more tickets than anyone, and we re-elected this jerk!!! I feel the $8,000 dollar tax refund extension is nice, but we live in a higher price bracket and the criterion to get this loan does not fit a majority of first time homebuyers here. I was born and raised here in NYC. We're known for being able to withstand a lot and be very hardcore, but sometimes, it's just too much...

America, Let's not get caught with our pants down again.

Luke Constantino
Commercial | Residential
RE/MAX @ THE SLOPE
Direct: (212) 300-3919 | Fax: (360) 368-0098
http://LukeConstantino.com

Luke Constantino| Remax@ The Slope, October 27^th 2009

There are a few days before Halloween, and you're trying to figure out a great place to take the kids.  "Will my neighbors watch the dogs while I'm gone?"  Don't worry:

Park Slope's got you covered!

"Hey, where you goin? Want some candy?!?!?!"

The Halloween Parade in Manhattan is geared more towards adults.  I have been there many times and have seen a lot of adult-themed costumes, drinking in the streets, lewd behavior, and nothing geared towards kids.  The Manhattan Halloween Parade is really parade for adults.  I felt pretty badly for all the parents and children that went and were expecting something different.  Believe it or not, a lot of us New Yorkers are not like this.

That's why The Park Slope Halloween Parade has something for everyone!

The day starts off with the "Howl-a-Ween" Pet Parade from 1-3PM @ J.J. Byrne Park/Washington Park. Get there early to register your dog in the parade!  Pet sign up starts at 12:00 and costs $10.00 dollars, which goes to maintenance and programs for the park.  So not only will your pet be in a parade, you will be helping out the local park in the community!  J.J. Byrne Park/Washington Park is located on 5^th Avenue and 4^th Street.  The Pet Parade is a lot of fun to watch!

At 4 PM there is a Halloween costume contest.  There are different categories ranging from best theme to best classic character, so be creative!  The winners will be given banners they can proudly display in the parade!  To enter go to John Jay High School @ 237 7^th Avenue (between 4^th and 5^th St.) at 4PM.  I myself see the most unique handmade costumes there!

THE PARADE!!!

The parade starts at 6:30 on the corner of 7^th Avenue and 14^th Street, turns left on 7^th and 3^rd and ends at The Old Stone House @ J.J. Byrne Park/Washington Park.  The festivities will howl on until 9:00PM. Who will be there?  Only Park Slope's most interesting Monsters, of course.  Even Greenwood Cemetery gets in on this action!  How many people can say they saw a float from a cemetery at their Halloween Parade?

All of Park Slope gets in on this one.  There are many activities for kids and adults. All the local bars and lounges participate in the festivities during and after the parade, too.  This has to be the most versatile Halloween parade in New York City.  Will I be there?

Damn skippy!

And I'm bringing my dogs too!

_____________________________

Luke Constantino
RE/MAX @ THE SLOPE
(212) 300-3919

http://LukeConstantino.com

Luke Constantino| Saturday, October 10th 2009

   Samantha, a working mother with two kids who has a very prestigious job in midtown, lives in a coop near Riverside Drive in NYC calls me to ask: "Do you have any renovated second floor apartments in a good, safe neighborhood in Brooklyn for under 1,800 p/mo?" She goes on to tell me how her bills are getting higher and the kids are becoming more expensive as they get older.

She tells me her job recently went through a lot of cut backs which lowered her pay wage and she is looking towards long term: Samantha wants to rent. This is happening way too much due to our economy. A lot of people are downsizing to make ends meet and are thinking what this change might bring often.

"I want to go back to Bay Ridge where I grew up and maybe, one day, when my finances are straight and the economy gets better, move back to NYC." I'm using this story because I'm seeing this more now than ever in every facet. From House to coops/condos there is a lot of downsizing going on. I won't even get into how the banks are making it impossible from a person with good credit to buy a home.
Now, tthese are the people I help everyday.

To make a long story short, I sold Samantha's coop very quickly to a couple downsizing in Manhattan and she now lives in a very spacious apartment in the upper 90's area of Bay Ridge with her childen.

Seems like the rainbow being promised to us has a tainted, empty pot of gold at the end of it.


Luke Constantino
Commercial | Residential
RE/MAX @ THE SLOPE
Direct: (212) 300-3919 | Fax: (360) 368-0098
http://LukeConstantino.com

Luke Constantino September 3, 2009

A lot of Americans are opting to stay close to home this Labor Day weekend.  I hear a lot of people are not traveling abroad or flying as much this year because of the economy.  I'm hearing a lot about families camping, going to local area beaches, or staying at home for BBQs and block parties. I myself am going to visit with family for a BBQ.  Can this poor economy be bringing family and friends closer together?

As a Realtor in NYC, I have noticed a lot of stores closing, high end properties for sale and everyone just trying to consolidate as best as they can. I also hear a lot of tension when speaking to sellers being presented with low ball offers 25-40% below current market value.  It's frustrating as hell! The President said "It's going to get worse before it gets any better."  We all know that, but when is it going to get better?

Foreclosures are at an all time high here.  I have never seen so many in my life!  This is only the first wave of what's to come. You have a lot of good people taking out loans to keep their homes and businesses afloat until this blows over.  It's taking longer than predicted. They will be the next wave of property/business owners in trouble. Along with banks, accumulating inventory and these types of loans going unpaid, how long is this crisis going to last?

I'm seeing property prices starting to regulate from the overpriced market we were in for a while, but I am also seeing something else: Family and friends starting to get together and be a little friendlier to each other, and families cutting down on the bloated budgets they were working with. Neighbors are socializing more. If it takes an economic crisis for this to happen, I hope we stay this way a little longer.