Brooklyn | Kevin Brunnock | NYC Real Estate Professional

Category: Brooklyn (page 1 of 2)

February 16, 2021

Online Tools for Real Estate Agents in 2021

The pandemic has led to online business in many fields, including real estate. Real estate agents are unable to have a physical meeting with their clients due to COVID rules. The good thing is that the pandemic has enabled many people to realize the richness of technology they ignored. Here are some online tools that real estate can utilize.

WiseStamp

WiseStamp helps real estate agents to design professional signatures for emails. The agent has an alternative to use the available templates. They can also choose to create a template from scratch. Amazingly, the email signatures are compatible with Gmail and Microsoft office outlook. The dashboard enables real estate agents to create branded marketing campaigns.

Propertybase

Propertybase is an ideal tool for a real estate agent. Propertybase has marketing tools such as email, website, and social media. The marketing studio has marketing automation that allows the real estate agent to create branded campaigns and follow-up leads. Furthermore, it has a customer relationship management segment that helps the agent improve the customer experience. Some of the features in Propertybase include managing listing and following up with texts.

Canva

Canva is important for non-tech real estate agents. Canva helps the user to create everything they need for their real estate online marketing. An agent can create stationery, business card, and social media campaigns, which can be modified to meet the agent’s needs. A remarkable thing about Canva is that one can create a graphic design from scratch. Some of the exciting features in the Canva include an extensive template gallery, printable products, and a chance to make the desired design.

Instagram TV

Instagram TV helps the agent to showcase their properties. Instagram is an essential tool because it has more than one billion subscribers. Therefore, the agent gets a chance to address the targeted audience. Agents who use Instagram television have an opportunity to develop their presence and grow their following. The best part is that the agent can share short and long videos about their offer. Therefore, they increase the chance of getting more clients.

Knowing the right tools for real estate agents is essential for their success. WiseStamp, Propertybase Canva, and Instagram have proved to be useful for real estate agents.

January 20, 2021

Why New York City is Poised for a Real Estate Bounceback in 2021

Throughout 2020, New York City has been hit hard through various lockdowns and preventive measures against the COVID-19 pandemic. Hope has been on the rise though through upcoming vaccines, and some of the project developments that have cropped up in the meantime. Take a look into just some of these projects opening up in New York City from 2021 and beyond.

Residential

More people than ever are coming to New York City to start fresh or take on a new job opportunity. The city is building around these people through various buildings like Sven, a 958-unit skyscraper built in Long Island City, or the easily affordable building opening up at the Astoria waterfront. For those living around the Bronx, many restaurants and shops are planning on opening up at the La Central residential complex in 2021. Make sure that you are always looking more into how New York City is building itself around the people that live in it.

Commercial

While people have been spending 2020 working from home, businesses have been spending time reinventing their office spaces. JP Morgan Chase is choosing to move to 425 Park Avenue for their brand new tower, a home for many employees working out of the city. Developers around New York City understand the need for more restaurants for workers which is why the Manhattan West complex is planned to open up in 2021, a food hall including some of the most famous chefs and food brands around the city. Always look around and see how New York City is constantly becoming a better place for those working there.

Art

New York City isn’t just a great city for those looking for a new job but for those interested in art as well. At the World Trade Center, the Perelman Performing Arts Center will be opening up for black creators looking to make their work known in theater, music, dance, and more. Architect David Adjaye has also been working with The Studio Museum in Harlem to construct a new building to hold all of their collections. Whether you are interested in some of the pre-existing venues or some of the new art establishments being built in New York City, you always have somewhere to visit no matter what art medium you’re interested in.

December 8, 2020

Tips for New York Home Appraisal

If you are looking to buy a new home or just refinance your current mortgage, your lender will want to schedule an appraisal. This objective assessment helps to determine what your home is worth. Something that ranks high to all lenders is the consideration of collateral on their loan. Whether you are buying or selling, it will help you get a feel for how appraisals work. Here’s how you can prepare for your NYC home appraisal.

What’s Involved?

So what should you expect if you have someone come to your home to appraise it? An appraiser’s job is very similar to a home inspector’s position, with some tiny differences. Items that range from big to small will be taken into account by your appraiser, so that geometric mural that you did during the lockdown may need to go.

Things That Go Into a Home Appraisal

While your potential buyer may love your place and decide that they are ok with your asking price, all lenders will require you to have your home appraised to determine its value. To help them arrive at an estimate, they will look at the following:

Your home’s exterior: The appraiser will look at just about every part of the construction of your home. From the roof to the foundation, walls, and flooring, these will all be the potential cause for the house’s value to decrease if the appraiser finds something wrong.
Size: A big part of determining the home’s value is the slot’s size and square foot of the lot. The more rooms and bathrooms that a house has can help to raise the value of the home. Knowing the floor area or FAR of the property will tell you if space has room for extensions, which can be another factor in the value.
Condition: Just like your exterior, the appraiser will go over the inside of your home with a fine-tooth comb. The flooring, kitchen, plumbing, electrical, and lighting are all components that your appraiser will be assessing.
Improvements: Your appraiser can also help you determine what might need to be updated to increase your home’s value. Renovating a bathroom or adding an HVAC system can add years of life to the property, which helps increase the value.

Who Receives the Appraisal Information?

The final verdict will be gathered by your appraiser and at the disposal of who ordered it; this is usually the lender. It is then up to them how the information is distributed, regardless of who paid for it. If the buyer asks for an appraisal, the lender is obligated by law to release that information. Your appraisal is valid for six months, but market prices can change quickly. Many lenders will only consider an appraisal to be valid for about three months. Any changes to the market or the property can drastically alter the value price.

October 2, 2020

The Best NYC Neighborhoods To Raise A Family

Living in New York City can be a challenge. It’s a big departure from more urban towns and can be a rather large adjustment. Add bringing a family with children into the city, and you have an entirely new set of problems. When most people think of New York City, they think of busy streets with nonstop traffic and no space for children to play and enjoy life. While some parts of the city can be like that, there are plenty of other great places to raise your children in New York. Here are some of the best neighborhoods in New York City to raise a family.

Harlem

If you journey to the northern end of Manhattan you’ll find Harlem, one of the best places to raise a family in the city. Harlem is known for having a strong community presence and is a cultural hotspot in the city, meaning your kids will grow up in a place that’s safe and full of people from all different walks of life, giving them new perspectives they might never have discovered otherwise. Harlem is known for having lower rents that give families more wiggle room, and there are plenty of activities for kids to take part in due to the various parks in the area.

Riverdale

Located in The Bronx and all the way at the northern end of the subway lines, Riverdale features a much more suburban feel than other New York City neighborhoods. Living here will give you much more space both indoors and outdoors for a better price than you’d pay in most neighborhoods. Aside from that, there are plenty of great activities you and your family can take part in, with several great parks such as the Van Cortlandt Park and of course the ever famous Bronx Zoo.

Astoria

This Queens neighborhood is loved by parents and like the others, features plenty of awesome activities that your family can enjoy. The neighborhood is rather close to both Manhattan and Brooklyn, but more importantly, it features a great public school system so your kids can receive the education they deserve. Speaking of education, the Queens Library has several branches and can be a great place to bring your kids to explore the unending possibilities of reading a good book. Like the other neighborhoods on this list, prices are more family-friendly than many other parts of the city.

September 13, 2020

The Best NYC Neighborhoods To Live In

New York City is gigantic. If you’re thinking of moving into the city, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from in terms of the neighborhood you live in. While you may think you only have to choose between Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Staten Island, the fact of the matter is that there are several neighborhoods within these 5 boroughs. That’s a lot of options, and it’s important you pick the right choice for your budget and lifestyle. Here are a few of the best neighborhoods to live in within New York City.

SoHo

Located in Manhattan, SoHo stands for South of Houston and is one of the busiest neighborhoods in the city. If shopping is your thing, you’ll never get bored in SoHo as it features great high-end clothing stores as well as plenty of great food options. You’ll also be able to find various art galleries within the neighborhood and the architecture sets up a certain vibe if that’s your thing. Being located in Lower Manhattan, housing can become rather expensive and you’ll primarily find expensive lofts and co-ops.

Downtown Brooklyn

If you’re looking for a location based on convenience such as having plenty of transportation options, Downtown Brooklyn might be the place for you. It’s located right over the Brooklyn Bridge and in the past few years, thousands of new apartments have been made as the neighborhood grows. Plenty of subway and bus lines get off in the area, meaning you can get to Manhattan in about 15 minutes and also be close to other great neighborhoods where you can find options for dining and shopping. Due to the location’s recent growth, housing will likely be expensive, though not as expensive as SoHo.

Forest Hills

If you’re looking for something a little more urban and not as much big city, Forest Hills in Queens might be a good spot to check out. The area features a fantastic view of the Manhattan skyline so you’ll be close to the city but not smack dab in the middle of all the commotion. The architecture is one of the area’s many points of interest and you’ll find many single-family homes as opposed to the many apartments deeper into the city. To top it off, the area is much cheaper than Manhattan or Brooklyn if you’re not trying to break the bank.

July 28, 2020

Tips For New Residents of New York City

So you’ve decided to take the plunge and choose to live in New York City. While this is an exciting choice, it’s oftentimes a gigantic change, especially if you’re coming from a small town or someplace more rural. While you might think making the adjustment will be easy, it’s almost guaranteed you’ll have a rough time if you’re moving there and have nobody to guide you. Luckily, there are plenty of guides that feature tips and tricks to help you adjust, with many of them coming straight from the mouths of both newer and older New York City residents. Here are a few of those tips and tricks.

Prepare Your Budget

You’ve probably heard about this but you won’t truly understand until you experience it; living in New York City can be expensive. Many times you’ll find that living in Manhattan and other parts of the city costs double of what it cost to live where people are previously coming from, unless they’re coming from an equally pricey area such as another metropolitan area. If you think you have enough money prepared for the adjustment, think again as you’re likely under prepared.

Public Transportation

Owning a car while living in New York is often no fun at all. Many New York Residents have gotten used to taking public transportation. You have the option of taking a bus, taxi or the subway, and the options vary in price and where they’ll bring you. Since traffic is always so jammed up in the city, public transportation is likely your best option so it might be wise to figure out your favorite style of transportation and stick with it.

Feeding Yourself

Feeding yourself when moving into the city can be a little challenging at first. Depending on where you live, you’re likely not going to be able to go to the large grocery store’s you may be accustomed to. Oftentimes you’ll be walking to the closest bodega and only getting enough groceries that you can carry home to your apartment. If that isn’t enough to satiate you, you may be tempted to order take out or go to a restaurant. While that’s not necessarily a bad choice, it’s quite expensive and can add up quickly. It’s important to figure out this balance before you overspend by eating out all of the time.

June 4, 2020

Should You Buy Or Rent In NYC?

If you’re moving to New York City, one of the hardest decisions you’ll likely have to make is choosing between buying a home there or just renting one. Many different factors come into play when making this decision. Are you planning on staying in New York for a long time? Can you afford extra chargers such as utilities, food, entertainment, and property taxes? These are some of the common questions you should ask yourself before deciding if owning your home is worth it. It usually takes about 5.6 years in order to break even after buying a home in New York, so if you think you’ll be there that long or longer, buying may be worth it. To be sure, let’s take a look at some of the other benefits that come from both buying and renting in NYC.

Renting

While a lot of people say that renting is a waste of money in the long run, there are still plenty of perks that come with it, especially in a place like New York City. First off, by renting your home you can give the neighborhood or even the building you’re in a “test drive”. It gives you the chance to learn more about the area you’re in. Another great perk to renting is that in most situations the landlord will pay for most utilities outside of electricity and the internet. You may have to pay more for these units but overall this makes things like budgeting much easier. Renting also helps you get your money situation in order in case you ever decide you do want to buy.

Buying

One of the biggest perks of owning your home is the fact that you build equity. When you rent, the landlord builds equity, meaning you get nothing but the space you’re renting. Building equity is great because once the mortgage is paid off you can use that equity to borrow money for another large purchase in your life. Buying is also great because of the tax reductions you get, as well as the potential for the IRS not applying capital gains tax when you sell your house. Finally, the ultimate benefit of buying your home is the freedom you get. You can do whatever you want to your home when you own it, but when you rent it there are usually distinct boundaries.

May 28, 2019

Whisper Listings in New York

If you haven’t heard about whisper listings, that’s exactly what the marketing genius who came up with the idea wanted. They’re properties that are shrouded in mystery on purpose. Curious house-hunters are drawn to the intrigue around them. They’re becoming the new gateways to some of the best-kept secrets in California and New York real estate. Buyers enjoy the privilege of being able to see penthouses, lofts, and estates that are on the market discreetly.

Sellers enjoy the enhanced desirability that being whisper listed creates. It’s not an entirely strategic tactic. Not everyone who has a multi-million dollar home for sale wants that information to go public. Being able to sell the property of higher than average value out of the eye of the press and public is attractive to affluent public figures who don’t want to fall prey to a new rise in negative perceptions about being wealthy. Others simply seek privacy from gossip tabloids and cameras.

The real estate sector is always looking for new ways to build drama around listings. Observers have noticed that properties handled this way don’t sell if they don’t live up to the hype, however. Buyers expect to discover something they wouldn’t find otherwise. Whisper listings do add intrigue but not to the extent that they’re automatically fast sales.

The concept of keeping information private on a specific property, as opposed to aggressively advertising it, is such a winning strategy that a new portal has recently launched. This portal was built and dedicated to promoting the latest whisper listings One important tip is to understand that the luxury real estate featured on the site will be exclusive. This means that its target market will be high net-worth individuals. While the site idea may seem like a new gimmick to boost the sales of real estate that has slowed down in recent years and can be difficult to sell, Parish Pradhan, the former Keller Williams agent behind it believes that having access to a portal of off-market listings is going to help those shopping for property to sidestep the bidding process and ultimately spend less.

Kevin Brunnock best neighborhoods to raise a family nyc

January 30, 2019

Top 5 Neighborhoods to Raise a Family in NYC

New York City is one of the best locations for raising a family. NYC is diverse, exciting, and full of unique activities for both you and your kids.The city is composed of a wide selection of neighborhoods, including the family-friendly options listed below.

Astoria, Queens

Astoria is one of many great options! The neighborhood offers some of the best schools in the city that are both progressive and affordable. You’ll have access to a wide variety of public parks and playgrounds, as well as a great library system. One of the other great perks of living in Astoria is the Astoria Park, which includes a public pool.

Bay Ridge, Brooklyn

Bay Ridge is a historical neighborhood that’s a cornerstone of Brooklyn. The area is family friendly, and inclusive of people of all ages and cultures. Renting or purchasing property in Bay Ridge is almost half the cost of renting or buying property in the rest of the borough. The neighborhood also includes great schools, and plenty of parks so your children can play in green spaces.

Harlem

One of the best advantages of living in Harlem is larger apartment options for inexpensive prices. Not only does the area offer an easy downtown commute for parents, but it offers plenty of activities for children. The nearby Riverbank State Park hosts classes in art, music, sports, and dance. The Apollo Theater and the Sugar Hill Children’s Museum of Art and Storytelling are two other great kid-friendly entertainment options.

Upper West Side, Manhattan

The Upper West Side is home to some of the best schools in the city, and is conveniently located near Central Park so your children will have plenty of room to roam! They’ll also have access to some of the best museums in the world, such as the American Museum of Natural History. The Riverside Park is another attraction that includes playgrounds and historical monuments.

Battery Park City

Located near the financial district, Battery Park City is a sleek yet bustling community and the location of two of NYC’s best schools, PS 276 and Stuyvesant High School. The Battery Park Esplanade, a beautiful road along the river, is a great place to take your kids for a walk or bike ride. There are also a variety of parks, many of which are also dog-friendly, and baseball fields.

Any of these neighborhoods is a great option for you and your family. New York City is one of the most unique and famous cities in the world. Your children will be lucky to grow up there!

November 14, 2018

Top NYC Neighborhoods to Live in

New York City is one of the most expensive costs of living in the country, making it the ultimate challenge to find a place to live.

Many factors depend on where you want to live and where you can afford to live. Neighborhoods vary from their peak cost and downfalls when it comes to price, commute distance, transportation access, nightlife, and other lifestyle amenities.

A company that compiles information on cities called Niche, recently released its annual ranking of the best neighborhoods in New York City.

These neighborhoods range from historic to hip and pose their own identities and can offer residents a sense of home in a city of over 8 million people.

Below are the best New York City neighborhoods to live in:

Hell’s Kitchen

Hell’s Kitchen is also known as Midtown West, was once a poor and working-class neighborhood that has steadily gentrified over a couple of decades. This neighborhood is within close proximity to many Broadway theaters and the famed Actors Studio. The neighborhood then became a popular area for aspiring actors. Hell’s Kitchen has a shorter commute time and offers a lively nightlife scene for its residents.

Flatiron District

This is home of the Flatiron Building, one of the older skyscrapers in the city, at the intersection of Broadway and Fifth Avenue. The Flatiron District features a great restaurant scene, upscale real estate, and an impressive stretch of shopping. It is also becoming known as a huge area for fitness clubs.

Greenwich Village

Greenwich Village possesses its own sense of character and charm within the city. The neighborhood has served as a home to the creative community, the LGBT movement, and New York University. The area is now a melting pot of its own, filled with bustling restaurants and venues while keeping its small community feel.

Brooklyn Heights

Brooklyn Heights is located just off the Brooklyn Bridge along the East River and has a historic feel within close proximity of Manhattan. The neighborhood contains more than 600 pre-Civil War houses and has become a popular neighborhood for families. The area has been called New York’s First Suburb.

« Older posts