Just Never Get Tired of Assisting Our Clients....

"Dear Christian, Keith and Lance

We just wanted to say thank you for your patience and support through this process. You have been consistently knowledgeable, attentive and proactive throughout, which is hugely appreciated during a stressful process for a first time buyer. We will be suggesting your team to everyone we meet who is looking at a purchase, and if there anything else we can do for you please don't hesitate to ask. 

Thanks again

Alan"

I Like To let Our Clients Speak For Us....

"Hi Keith, Lance, Christian,

Thank you for your help, guidance, and encouragement over the last year. We couldn't have navigated the crazy NYC real estate market by ourselves and thanks for just being there to hear our occasional frustrated rants. This apt is definitely a good outcome for the time being.

We appreciate your honest advices and can't imagine why anyone wouldn't work with your team especially with that big rebate check in hand. Every person you have recommended to us have worked out wonderfully as well. 

We wish you all the success with the new selling-representation and look forward to selling & then buying our next apt with you. 

Will let you know how the renovation goes and do stop by when it's done. 

Best,

Ilya and Betty"

We are not trying to puff ourselves up. However we grow organically through the kind words of others...

Technology and the Human Element

I recently read an article in the online real estate magazine Inman News. Basically it argued the human element was needed for a successful real estate transaction. However like most things I read on  this topic, it was a bit hollow.

It starts off pointing out all the wonderful information available on line via sites like Zillow  (here in NYC, Streeteasy ). The point ,though is you need the human touch to finesse the deal.

We have you covered. By partnering with our clients, utilizing all available technology, offering opinions based on accepted value modeling as well as 25 years of street experience.  Then sharing our commission with you because of our low overhead and the fact I don't split the commission with a large corporate entity.

Simply said we are the full package. One mission; to serve our clients highest and best needs before everything else.

I look forward to speaking with you.

Keith
917.770.4951
Keith@theburkhardtgroup.com

Excuse the writing here. Typed this up on my blogger app on my note.Was just in the mood to get this out, been pretty swamped and have done limited writing lately.  I'm currently on vacation with the family.  Currently getting eye....

Sharks, not real estate!

Anyone that knows me, knows I surf. Mick Fanning is one of my favorites,  solid guy and great surfer. Very happy he came out of this one okay.

Champion surfer attacked by shark on live TV http://www.cnbc.com/id/102845215

Happy 4th of July!

Take a break from the real estate madness and have a wonderful weekend with your family and friends! I am trying to do the same!!

A Little Advice on Dealing With the Listing Agent(s)...

If you find yourself at an open house with a chance to chat with the agent, best to keep the questions to facts about the property. You will not get anywhere challenging the agent about price (even if it is seriously aspirational!) Two things to remember; the agent probably had a hand in determining the listing price. The agent will want to defend said listing price (at least for the first 30 days). Then at that point they may have to have that difficult conversation with the seller, the one about the price being too high.  Many listing agents will pitch to a seller a price that is a aggressive though in this market anything is possible. And it is only human nature to list with the agent telling you he will get you that price.

I always felt that the market is more persuasive than just about any golden tongued sales person. Price a bit soft and let the market do it's thing, less time on the web and probably will attract multiple bids after the first open house. Sort of like investing in index funds, 90%+ of the time they will beat the active manager.

Back on topic. You corner the listing agent at an open house or private showing and hit him with data about the sale 2 floors above, 6 months ago that was 15% below the current ask of his listing; I can assure you the conversation won't go well. If the property was just listed your comments may just be brushed aside like an annoying mosquito. However if the home has been listed for 15+ days the agent may get a tad bit annoyed or perhaps unload a bomb on you! This is not a good way to begin a negotiation.

I'll wrap it up here. In short there is no advantage to telling the agent his property is 15% over valued.We have ways of presenting offers that are significantly below ask, we call it a "soft offer". Certainly there are times we feel our clients are off the mark with a valuation. In those cases we talk it through to try and understand each others position.

Sometimes the best thing to do is just get the conversation started, at least then there is the potential for success. If there is no discussion there is little hope for success.

Which Renovations Add the Most Value?

There really is no general answer to this, though it is widely accepted that money spent on bathrooms and the kitchen is well spent and will serve to increase value. I received an email from a client that recently closed and wanted to know if closing off a dining area to convert it into a bedroom was a smart idea; would it add value? They also wondered if they should refinish the current parquet or install new wood floors.

First I think as a new homeowner you should make changes that will improve your own quality of life in your new home. If in their case converting the dining area to an enclosed space made sense for their use, then by all means do it. If not then deal with it when you plan to sell, assess the market at that time and decide with your agent if it makes sense. Most buyers are going to prefer plank wood flooring over parquet. However if the parquet is in good shape or can be nicely refinished it probably won't be a deal breaker when you sell. If it's in the budget I think you will see a return on new wood flooring and I'm sure you will also enjoy living with it.

There is no question that money spent on the kitchen and bathroom will add value as well as make your home more desirable to buyers in the future. If you are looking to maximize return later on then stick with timeless, classic materials and design. Either way what you install today will be either considered out of style in 5+ years or dated (the idea is to age gracefully). I prefer a classic subway tile back splash in kitchens to the small multicolored glass tiles we are seeing a lot of today. Explore the different counter top materials available, stay neutral and think about wear and tear. Granite was the "it" material 15 years ago, today not so much. Though I still like granite if the pattern is a bit subdued. I always am a sucker for a white kitchen with white carrera marble counters. I know, not the most durable but even well worm with a nice patina, I still love it.

Another thing to factor in is where you live, what is your building like and what are the apartment valuations. If you live in a fairly typical, yet nice post war on the 2nd avenue you may not want to install a $150,000 custom kitchen along with $60,000 dollar bathrooms (especially if you are in a one bedroom!) Stay within the theme of your building (unless you just want what you want and can afford it).

You should also think back to the various homes you viewed..... What did you think of that red custom Italian kitchen? Gold fixtures seem to be back in fashion (why??). Were you tired of all the stainless steel appliances, how important was the flooring type etc. That will be a good guide as you make decisions about renovations in your new home.

NY Time article on which renovations add value.