Luxury 3-Bedroom, 2-Bath Coop in Brooklyn, 11229 – Gravesend/Sheepshead Bay area

3-bedroom apartment with 2-full baths with windows, large eat-in kitchen with window (new granite counter, new appliances, celebrity style renovation, marble floors), apartment features huge foyer (see photos), huge bedrooms, lots of closets (8 closets), cedar walk-in closet, spotlights, custom made door and door frames.

Building is very clean and maintained on a regular basis, new elevator, laundry and storage area are available in the basement of the building. Extremely convenient location for shopping and transportation (local bus lines, Brooklyn-Manhattan bus and trains (B and Q lines). Area is known for many excellent daycares and schools.

Contact owner for open house dates or to schedule an appointment: (917) 744-3256 or (917) 495-9911 – call or sms/txt

Formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are used in common construction materials and furnishings, like paint and plywood. The combination of all of those new materials produces a significant level of toxic fumes. Don*t wait for your family to experience mysterious ailments – take action to improve the air quality in your new home. Delay your move-in date, if possible, and ventilate the house during that time. Experts estimate that it may take a year or more for materials in new homes to completely off-gas, but the highest levels occur in the first days and weeks after installation.

Move the air. Outdoor air is cleaner than a new home’s indoor air. You could open windows and run fans, but that is not always practical. Contact the HVAC contractor and ask what type of system he installed. If it is a “closed” system, get quotes on installing a fresh air modification. You might want to consider a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) if you live in a colder climate.

Get out of the house.  Even a short time away from the fumes will decrease your exposure. This is especially important for children and the elderly.

Buy houseplants. A few houseplants will not void bad air, but they can improve a bubble of clean air where they are placed. Look for spider plants, heart leaf philodendron, golden pothos, gerbera daisies, rubber plants, and peace lilies

“If you build it, they will come,” was catchy as a movie quote but makes for a poor business policy. The rampant new construction was an unsustainable strain on the market.  At first there were plenty of new customers as the market expanded to bring in untapped categories of consumers. Rising home values gave many homeowners the opportunity to sell and trade up, and encouraged banks to relax lending standards. The housing market was now glutted with both new construction and a new wave of buyers, and a temporary price stability took hold. Most were convinced this would last forever, reams of new houses would be built and hordes of fresh new buyers would  materialize for these houses. What such people left out of the equation is that consumers are a finite resource, not an endless one. Each purchase took a consumer out of the buying chain, for at least a while.  This necessitated creating more reasons for buying and further easing the lending standards to assure a level of demand which could keep pace with an ever-increasing supply.

The thorny problem of too great a supply was exacerbated by the mass movement toward upgrading the  existing supply. Flipping – buying a house only long enough to add value to it, then turn around and sell for profit – became an enormously popular trend. This added a much-needed new customer base but the problems it created were two-fold. First, flipping was a valid business model only when the house’s price was increased to give the flipper  a profit. Some flippers did nothing more to the house except a new paint job and a good cleaning, and then demanded several thousand dollars in increased price.  This encouraged and assisted price inflation.  Second, flippers almost always remodeled the house to gain the greatest potential profit. There are now locations where luxury features such as hardwood floors, new kitchen cabinets and granite countertops are standard and common to almost every home.  The market was gorging itself on higher priced homes stuffed with luxury features.

What the market lacked were inexpensive houses for blue-collar families. The “starter home” became nearly extinct as these homes were bought, remodeled and marketed instead to single professionals and older, child less couples for greater profit. Houses in the middle price ranges were disappearing as well, as the strain of rising prices began to make itself felt. Flippers weren’t alone in the remodeling trend, homeowners got in on the action as well. Many took advantage of lending practices to finance improvements, either to facilitate a quick sale or simply to enjoy for themselves.  Even the improvement-minded homeowner with no intentions of selling affected price inflation, however, as the increases in their home’s value had a ripple effect on the homes around it. Residential houses were experiencing almost universal price increases Cheap homes became upper middle-class, upper middle-class homes became expensive, and expensive homes became only for the very wealthy.

Rounded Roman-style half arches, groined vaults, arched windows, alternating piers (used to support arches) and columns, square or round towers, and thick stone walls  characterize Romanesque buildings Compared with the more ornate Gothic tastes that emerged in the 12th century, Romanesque constructs are massive, symmetrical and of a simpler design; they are significantly less busy, yet enduringly pleasing to the eye. Think of the famous Chateaux of the Loire Valley, with their fairytale towers and curved lines Although many of these palaces reflect the later, more elaborate Gothic style, some have roots in the Romanesque and date back to that period. Although some castles built in the Romanesque style still exist, the lasting legacy lies with the abbeys and cathedrals; built over a thousand years ago, but still standing strong and in use today.

The “Roman” in Romanesque derives from an erroneous assumption. Many art historians believed 10th century Romanesque designs owed a debt to Ancient Roman building techniques, when in fact most of that technical knowledge was lost in the chaos of the Dark Ages. In fact, the Byzantine Empire, by virtue of surviving where the Roman Empire did not, had more of an influence on the Romanesque style than the Romans did.

When William the Conqueror invaded England in 1066, he imposed his penchant for Romanesque architecture on the Anglo-Saxon population. Like the Romans centuries before, the conquering army’s tastes automatically took  precedence over the locals Norman architecture (as the Romanesque style is known in the UK) replaced crumbling Roman buildings. Some of those Norman constructs still stand to this day, in Durham, Hereford, and Ely Cathedrals The Crusades, which lasted from the 10th to 12th centuries, also played a part in the Romanesque style spreading across Europe, as huge numbers of nobles, tradesmen, and others shared knowledge while they traveled. The resulting religious fervor also meant an explosion in church and abbey construction.

Although structurally simple, Romanesque buildings did have decoration, most noticeably with the use of arcades or  galleries The arcading often took the form of a series of small arches, which, while appearing to support a roof or other structure, were strictly decorative. Sculpture adorned arches and mouldings, while friezes decorated interior and some external walls Murals and stained glass also added color and interest to interior spaces.

Romanesque buildings were meant to stand the test of time, and many have done just that, withstanding war, religious upheaval (the Reformation in England) and a millennium of wear and tear. Modern day architects could do worse than to incorporate Romanesque traits in their designs Who wouldn’t want to live in a home that mixes medieval style with modern know-how?

1. Bring Nature Indoors
Inviting the great outdoors into your home sets a breezy, open ambience. But don’t go overboard and clutter up your living space with potted plants- be selective.  Choose one or two natural items to enhance your small rooms.

For example, a beautiful hanging plant makes the ceiling seem higher. A vase of fresh flowers illuminates a dark dining table. And a melodious water feature brings to mind grand waterfalls and tinkling brooks 2. Indulge in Serious Reflection
Hanging a mirror on the wall gives the impression that your small room  is much larger than it really is. The larger the mirror, the more dramatic this effect.

A wall-size mirror doubles the visual size of any room, while smaller mirrors can emphasize the best features of the room. You can make a narrow hallway seem wider by hanging a long mirror on one wall. Likewise, you can make a stuffy powder room appear larger by installing a tall mirror on the inside of the door.

3. Create a Focal Point
Choose a single focal point for each of your rooms This will stop the eye being drawn here and there by competing points of interest.

The focal point might be a piece of furniture or an attractive work of art. For instance, a pale blue couch with  a couple of silk scarlet throw cushions would make a stunning focal point. An abstract sculpture with clean,  simple lines, displayed on a center table, would be equally effective. When using art as a focal point, just be sure to avoid elaborate works with lots of detail, as these give an impression of busyness. Stick with monochromatic abstracts or very simple representations.

Each of the three techniques above will  not only increase the apparent size of your small rooms, but also make  them look  attractive and welcoming.

Events
Some apartment buildings will organize events throughout the year to encourage people to meet and greet others living in the same building or area. This is a good sign because the company wants to promote a more open and is also acknowledging your existence. You are not merely a cheque number. Recreational Options
Does the apartment building have a pool or a gym? Having recreational activities available in or around the apartment is a bonus for anyone who enjoys an active lifestyle. It is also a very good way to meet fellow renters and become better neighbours.

Contact information
Always have your landlord’s number on hand in case you run into any issues during your stay. For apartment buildings, the superintendents’ numbers should also be made available. This ensures that any concerns or issues are addressed as quickly as possible to prevent further problems.

Furbished Apartments
Some apartments also include all or some furniture upon renting This can be a plus for any first-time renter although it may up the price of the apartment and will make it a little more easy to lose your damage deposit if you are careless during your stay. Other apartments include no furniture at all and you will be required to acquire your own, but you will be in charge of creating the feel that you desire.

Protect your damage deposit
When renting an apartment, a damage deposit is often required. At the end of the renter’s contract, they are entitled to have the damage deposit returned to them. However, this is only owed to the renter if they have maintained their end of the contract and have not damaged anything in the apartment that belongs to the owner. Sometimes, landlords may try to weasel away the damage deposit by claiming an aspect of the apartment was damaged during the renter’s stay.

It is extremely important during the initial showing before your move into the apartment that you photograph any damage done by previous renters as proof that it was not done by you. This will prove to be very helpful if you need to fight for your damage deposit. Keep in mind that if you leave furniture behind to be removed or a substantial mess to clean up, you may lose part of or all your damage deposit.

It may feel overwhelming, but with patience and courage, you can find the ideal apartment to make your own.

Business cards are essential to this  profession. They can provide your client with quick access to your contact information as well as a handy way  to refer you to one of their friends or associates.

A daily planner provides an excellent way to store all of your important information including a log for your mileage. Plus, if you acquire one with a slot that holds business cards, you are ready to go.

Cell phones are essential pieces of equipment for most professions these days However, they are even more important for REALTOR® s who are constantly at someone’s beck and call.

A home computer or laptop that can double for work and home use is one of the most important tools of this trade. In fact, adding a printer and fax capability is a critical part of this set up.

If you aren’t one of those gifted individuals who can easily do math calculations correctly in their heads, obtain a good calculator. Clients often request information that involves mathematical functions Tape measures are also very important tolls. If a potential buyer requests measurements that haven’t been listed on any of the paperwork, it saves the time and trouble of trying to track it down later. In fact, a REALTOR® who can respond to his clients’ questions readily and immediately is more likely to sell a property than one who always has to get back to his clients

Although not an essential tool of the trade, a clipboard is the perfect way to keep together the documents that you are currently using. It also provides a hard surface for taking down notes or questions whenever a table or countertop isn’t readily accessible.

An attache case is probably the best place to store most of your essential tools of the trade. At the very least, it gives you the appearance of being a professional with a successful career.
Once you have the essential tools, you are ready to do business Always replace any item that accidentally becomes lost.  Remember also, that there is more to being a good REALTOR® than an attache case full of the right tools Learn your other lessons well.

Unfortunately, scam artists often make use of this website in order to cheat people and take their money under false pretenses Is there anything you can do to protect yourself against this type of fraud when searching on craigslist.com? The answer is yes; you certainly can practice a few simple strategies to help protect yourself against the potential for fraud while searching for an apartment on craigslist.com.

Fortunately, the majority of advertisers on craigslist.com are legitimate and honest. That being said, the need to protect your personal interests still exists. Follow each  of these guidelines to help you determine the legitimacy of any offer to rent an apartment to you from this website or any other similar website.

Searching for an Apartment Online: Does It Exist?

Once you have an address for an apartment that you are interested in, you can visit maps, google.com and conduct a search for that location. This search will result in an image of the location for the property in question. You can also conduct a search for the address including the city and state to see what type of results come back for the property.

Searching for an Apartment Online: Email the Landlord

You can also determine quite a bit about the legitimacy of the offer to rent the apartment simply by emailing the individual several times. Many of the scammers on craigslist.com have poor grammar and spelling skills If the email is written with proper spelling and grammar, it is more likely that the individual is honestly trying to rent the apartment out to someone.

If the response to your email includes a  link for you to click on or offers you a different website to use when searching for an apartment, you should  be suspicious of this particular listing and move on to a different one. Even though this particular  strategy isn’t foolproof, it can be used in conjunction with all of your other strategies to discover the legitimacy of the apartment rental.

Searching for an Apartment Online: Make a Phone Call

You can also request a  phone number (if one isn’t listed) so that you can call and speak with the individual. Ask pertinent questions about the apartment to make sure that it fits your needs

If the number you are given is a landline, complete an online search and see what results come back. Is the phone number listed with the address in question or one nearby? Is it listed under the name of the individual who is renting the apartment?

Searching for an Apartment Online: Conduct a Simple Background Check

Although many people would consider the next tip as some type of creepy-stalking activity, you can complete an online search for the individual’s full name.  It is possible that the results will provide you with enough  information to  verify that the person is who he says he is For example, you may be trying to rent an apartment near a college so that  you can attend classes while living off campus. If the individual states that he is a graduate student, it is more than likely that he is listed on several online sites for  his scholarly publications or other academic interests. If your results verify this scenario, then you can  rest  assured that the individual truly is a graduate student.

Finally, take a friend or two and go visit the apartment to check it out. If you don’t live in the area, see if you can find a friend of a friend who lives in  that general location to look at the apartment for you. Once you are satisfied that everything is on the up-and-up regarding the apartment rental, you can move forward with any plans you have to sign a lease.

For many people, staying close to family and friends is an important part of buying a home. This is especially true if the new homeowner intends to continue spending a great deal of time with family members and friends. If a home is purchased close to the location where these individuals live, then excessive travel time can be avoided and visiting remains convenient.

Tip 2: Buying a Home in a Good Neighborhood

What adds up to a good neighborhood? Although the characteristics of a good neighborhood vary, in general, one that is safe and has stable property values is a good start. Additionally, neighborhoods entrenched with historic value typically provide stability. The best way to judge whether or not the area offers a good surrounding neighborhood is to drive through it at different times of the day or night.

Tip 3: Buying a Home with Accessible Services and Amenities

The type of services that a homeowner needs varies according to their stage of life. Families with young children need to locate near good schools. Senior citizens might need to locate near health care providers, senior centers, and public transportation. Before buying your new home, you should make a list of all of the services that you are going to need at that time as well as for the duration of the time you plan to live there. Other considerations to keep in mind include local parks, playgrounds, and recreational clubs.

Tip 4: Buying a Home in an Attractive Area

For many homeowners, the surrounding area matters little as they either travel a great deal or do not plan to spend much time outside. For those homeowners who care, locating a home in an attractive location is important. Do you want  a view of local factories or would you prefer to have natural landscapes to look at. Typically, this factor also provides a better resale value.

Tip 5: Buying a Home with Access to Convenient Shopping and More

Typically, purchasing a home that offers easy access to local shopping, dry cleaning services, restaurants, and entertainment venues is a good idea. One mistake that some homeowners make is to select a home that offers all of these conveniences on the route to the workplace from home. This isn’t always a good idea as no one knows how long he is going to continue working at his current place of employment.

Finding a desirable location for your home purchase is possible. Itemizing the factors that are most important to you should amplify the process for you. While you might not be able to find the perfect location, discovering one that meets most of your needs is important to your overall happiness with the home.

Although it may not be possible to transform this dream into reality in your home country, there are still several  countries in the world where you can find affordable homes for sale. Here is a round-u p of four countries where it is possible to purchase a property for US$50,000 or less. Ecuador

If you have always dreamed of owning a home in Hawaii but you know that you will never be able to afford it, why not consider the South American country of Ecuador as an alternative? Ecuador has a similar climate to Hawaii and is just a four-hour flight from Miami. However, it is not as well developed as Hawaii, so you can expect peace and quiet rather than non-stop diversions

In 2009, Ecuador was voted the top country to retire to by International Living Magazine.

You could purchase a three-bedroom villa close to the beach for just under US$50,000

Bulgaria

A wide range of properties under US$50,000 (equivalent to approximately Euro 35,000) is available in the Eastern European country of Bulgaria. Bear in mind, however, that many homes in this price range are unfinished or require extensive modernization. They may have only very basic facilities with an outside toilet and no internal bathroom or central heating.

However, these properties may have a sizeable amount of land attached with fruit trees, vegetable gardens and perhaps even vines. They have rustic charm and beautiful views of the countryside and mountains. Since the prices of such  properties start at around US$5,000,  you will be able to afford at least some renovations out of your total budget.

If you prefer a ready-to-move-into property, it is also possible to buy a new, modern apartment  in Bulgaria for less than US$50,000.

Italy

Between ten and twenty years ago, property in the romantic Western European country of Italy was very affordable. However, prices have risen steeply in recent years as many foreigners have invested in real estate there. Although it is still possible to buy a home for less than US$50,000 (Euro35,000), most properties in this low price bracket will need at least some restoration which will necessitate further investment.

New Zealand

The Lord of the Rings film trilogy has increased interest in the remote English-speaking country of  New Zealand in recent years. However, it is still possible to invest in property therefor less than US$50,000, or around NZ$65,000.

For around US$31,000 (just under NZ$40,000), you can purchase a three-bedroom, one bathroom property close to a surfing beach on the west coast of New Zealand’s South Island. Such a property will need some sprucing up, but with  around US$20,000 left in your budget, you will be able to afford to make some improvements.

If you prefer a smaller property in a better condition for about the same price, you could consider a one-bedroom, one-bathroom house in Tapanui at the foot of the Blue Mountains, just one and half hour’s drive from Dunedin International Airport.