Meet Christian Bari an Integral Part of the Burkhardt Group

Not only do you need an innovative business model if you are going to take an alternative approach to a very entrenched old-line business, you need a great team. We are not the only company offering a new approach to purchasing real estate, however I feel we do it better than anyone else. The NYC market is not only very competitive  we have some of the most educated,sophisticated buyers and sellers in the world. It would be foolish to think you could succeed simply by offering a buyer a financial incentive, there is just too much on the line when purchasing a home at these valuations. It does not end when the contract is signed, if you are purchasing a co-op, the real work now begins.

I have been working in NYC as an agent, broker for over 23 years. I first moved to Manhattan in 1982 to pursue a career in music. I then raised two children in Chelsea/West Village, my son Eli was the first 2nd generation student at West Village Nursery school (his mother attended in the 1960's). I have really witnessed quite a bit of change in NYC since renting my first apartment on Norfolk street in 1982 for $200 dollars a month!

I first met Christian as a client, he and his wife rented an apartment in the West Village. Many years later he contacted me when he decided he wanted to try his hand at real estate part-time, he was then the owner of the very popular "Oliva" restaurant on the Lower East Side. After selling the restaurant he joined full-time just as our new model was starting to take on a life of it's own. Initially I thought he would assist with board packages and appointments, but that year our business started to rapidly grow and what he thought would be some part-time work while he built his own book overwhelmed us both!

Christian has become my partner and has helped continue our mission of honest, transparent service as we continue to grow. He has received accolades from some of the top players in NYC real estate for his professionalism as well as some stellar feedback on the board packages he prepares.  Christian also has a degree in accounting, is very knowledgeable about construction and renovation  procedures and cost. He is also happy to dig into ACRIS, the NYC Department of Finance, NYC Department of Buildings to find information on SRO status of townhouses/brownstones, tax information and the details of tax abatement status.

This may sound a bit cheesy but I know it to be true. Our innovative business model helps bring clients to us. But it is our attention to details and quality service that keeps our clients with us and is why they refer us to their friends. Our business is driven by 100% referrals.

NYS Attorney Generals Office in Action to Protect the Consumer!

NYS ATTORNEY GENERAL --Illegal anticompetitive practices hurt the real estate industry as well as the consumer

January 23, 2014

Contact The Antitrust Bureau

Participants in the real estate industry are closer to daily real estate activity and more
likely to observe anticompetitive conduct. We rely on reports from real estate lawyers, brokers, purchasers, and others in the industry. Please feel free to contact us with your questions and concerns.

Antitrust Bureau
State of New York
Office of the Attorney General
120 Broadway, 26th Floor
New York, NY 10271
antitrust.realestate@ag.ny.gov
212-416-8262

What to Look for

Illegal anticompetitive practices in real estate transactions can include:

• Agreements among brokers not to charge
  commissions under a certain level;
• Agreements among brokers not to work
  with discount brokers;
• Refusals to deal with brokers who offer
  rebates to their clients;
• Refusals to show properties that are for
  sale by owner (FSBOs) or listed by a discount
  broker;
• Agreements among brokers or multiple listing services (MLSs) to prevent competition from real estate websites.

Agents and Fiduciary Responsibilities

Frequently, a real estate agent’s fiduciary duties are not well understood by consumers, and even by some real estate professionals. Consumers should receive full disclosure of all the information they need for a fair real estate transaction. For example,

• Buyers must receive the required disclosure form listing the broker’s fiduciary duties and disclosing whom the broker represents.
• Buyers should be informed if the agent representing them is going to be paid by the seller’s broker.
• Buyers should feel free to inquire about how much commission their broker will earn on a transaction.
• Both buyers and brokers should know that rebating commissions is legal in New York.

Bottom-line About Our Company: We Put Our Clients Highest and Best Interests First!

Like I always say on here or other forums, the majority of real estate agents/brokers are sincere, honest people who take their clients needs seriously and put them above their commission. But there are always exceptions, agents who put their own petty feelings and commission above all else.

 I have been contacted by the NYS Attorney Generals Office twice (yes they called me). They like what we are doing and they want to make sure that no one is interfering with our ability to do business with a model they believe benefits the consumer. We always work fairly with all parties; sellers, brokers etc, that is our nature. We have received complements from some of the top real estate brokers/teams in NYC!  It always surprise's me when an agent from a large "white shoe" type firm behaves with total disregard for their own clients best interests as well as for the desire of the buyer. It does not mean a thing who you work for or what organizations you belong to.....We strive to do the right thing, because it's right.

We Take a lot of Pride in the ALL Board Packages We Prepare!

"First, I have to say your board package was beautifully put together.  I especially appreciated the highlighting and circling of the relevant totals in the bank and investment statements."

This is just one of many compliments we receive from brokers, agents and managing agents.

  

New Mortgage Rules

So here is a link to the new mortgage rules that have been established to prevent another credit crisis and protect individual buyers. One thing you will notice is the debt to income ratio cannot exceed 43%, Traditionally NYC co-ops want to see a D to I of no more than 25%. This rule established by co-ops certainly helped insulate NYC from the fall out we saw throughout many parts of the country. Co-ops also typically want to see 24 months of liquid savings available post close, This along with the D to I limit certainly helped many New Yorkers avoid a catastrophe. Having sufficient reserves, combined with an affordable payment should be the goal of all home buyers.

Mortgage Rules

Valuing Outdoor Space

This is a very informative piece by Jonathan Miller. We have covered this here previously, but it is refreshing to hear this from one of the most revered appraisers in NYC.

Understanding the Value of Manhattan Apartment Outdoor Space

2013 Holiday Tipping Guide-Happy Holidays!

BrickUnderground has again given us a comprehensive guide to holiday tipping. In speaking with building staff the number 1 complaint I always heard was a tenant/owner/shareholder did not tip at all. The takeaway, better to give something, even if you are embarrassed that it's not enough, than give nothing at all.

         Holiday Tipping Guide for 2013!