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Many of you read a few months ago about the historic 41 Million dollar Staten Island shopping center deal know as South Shore Commons - sold by yours truly and the amazing commercial team at Casandra Properties.  While it was another milestone achievement in the Staten Island real estate market, and typically the closing represents the end of the transaction – at Casandra Properties it was the beginning. Now more than ever, the customers come first when talking about Staten Island retail space.  

 

A time for innovation

 

After the closing, we sat with ownership to create a comprehensive marketing plan.  We felt it was critical to look at co-tenancy synergies, traffic flow, customer experience, and the Holy Grail of retail – customer…

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What does it mean to “be in escrow?” 

We hear buyer and sellers often use this phrase and in context, we know that this means the process of buying/selling a home is almost done, but what does it really mean?

In real estate, escrow companies are non-interested third parties that hold funds from both parties until all agreements of a contract have been fully executed. Ever wonder how a seller actually gets paid when selling their real property? Escrow! Financers of the purchase of real estate, whether it’s a lender or cash purchaser, deposit that money into an escrow account where the money is securely held from both parties until the transaction is complete. So, the buyer hands the money to Escrow, who keeps it safe, until both parties have…

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Closing costs consist of costs that have been incurred throughout the home buying process. These fees vary from inspection fees, to loan origination fees. Depending on where you live, the type of home loan you have, and your lender, these fees vary greatly. Per Zillow, here are some fees that you will see associated with the purchase of your home. 

Application Fee: Cost to apply for a loan. In some cases, this includes costs associated with a credit check and verification. 

Appraisal: Cost to get home appraised to confirm the fair market value and is close to the listing price.

Attorney Fee: All associated attorney’s fees to review legal documents and agreements in the transaction.

Closing Fee or Escrow Fee: Cost associated with the use of an…

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Spruce it up!  

When gearing up to put your place on the market, it is important that you spruce the place up a bit. Touch up your landscaping, clean up the exterior of your home, make repairs, and clean out/organize your closets. These few improvements will enhance your home’s curb appeal and boost potential buyer’s first impressions of your home. Messy closets give off the impression that there isn't enough storage in your home. Even if that is the case, you don’t want to give off that impression! A clean fresh exterior and landscaping makes it easier for a potential buyer to see themselves in your home. 

 

Depersonalize!  

When approaching listing, you should start to separate yourself from your home. Very soon (hopefully) the home will…

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For nearly two decades, I have made it my life’s work to deliver the absolute best in all areas of Staten Island real estate we at Casandra Properties practiced. Over the years we grew from a small boutique residential firm, to a full service real estate brokerage with divisions focused on seller and buyer representation, commercial leasing, and consulting.  We were thrilled to be named a top 10 boutique real estate firm in NYC.


LEASING EXPERIENCE 

One of my long-term goals always included adding tenant representation to our repertoire.  After successfully negotiating a host of successful deals on the landlord side with retail giants, banks, governmental entities, names such as Nordstrom’s Rack, Brooks Brothers, Wendy’s, Autozone, TD Bank,…

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As real estate professionals, it’s important to stay informed when it comes to industry news. The landscape is constantly changing especially with the advent of new technology in the digital arena. This is changing the way we sell, market and purchase real estate. 

It’s been reported that a new start up called Bungalo has launched a solely digital platform where buyers can search, finance and purchase newly renovated homes. Bungalo joins a growing group of iBuying platforms that includes Opendoor, Zillow and Redfin. All of these online platforms purchase and sell homes directly to clients after renovating the houses. 

According to the Company’s CEO, Greg Stuart, Bungalo will start by selling 25 homes in Dallas-Forth Worth and 10 in Tampa, Florida,…

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Agency disclosure defines the relationship between client and agent in all transactions of residential real property.

Agent’s provide this disclosure to make it clear to whom they owe ‘fiduciary' responsibility. With this disclosure in place, all parties involved in a transaction are aware of who is in charge of representing each client’s interest, and to what capacity they represent those interests. Whether you’re looking for an agent to help you acquire a property or sell, you’ll come across this disclosure form when you are signing all of your documents with your potential agent. As given away in the title, this law just mandates the disclosure of whatever agency agreement is in place and an acknowledgment by the client that they understand that…

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Summer is fading and Fall is approaching.  


The weather outside has hit the point where it is no longer too hot nor is it too cold yet.  Everyone can agree that it is a great time to take advantage of the weather and spend some quality time outdoors.  Time seems to always be an issue for many busy persons and families, so taking a weekend trip to have a fun outdoor adventure is not always convenient. The good news is that there is no need to spend hours in the car because Staten Island, NYC’s “Greenest Borough”, has it all!   Whether you are looking for biking, skating, walking, or jogging, trails; wooded hiking and rock climbing trails; a skateboarding park, an ice-skating rink or bocce courts; basketball courts, soccer fields or baseball diamonds;…

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Many of you know Staten Island Real Estate is a passion of mine, but when I’m not selling homes as a top producer at Casandra Properties, Inc., my other passion is cooking. 

I was born in Monopoli, Italy, which is 40 km south of Bari in the Puglia region on the Adriatic Sea.   As with all family who has moved away, each and every time I return to my birth home, my family always asks what is it that I wish to eat.  I always reply the same! 

Pasta con Fagiolini Salsa di Pomodoro Fresco e Cacio Ricotta Salata

In English, this means pasta with fresh green beans and fresh tomato sauce topped with ricotta salata cheese.

           This is considered a local “peasant dish”, a recipe with just a few ingredients which is very easy to make and easy on…

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Offers are simply proposals for the exchange of real estate. 

 

They are like the buyer and seller’s questions to one another in a legal conversation where the ultimate goal is to get the other person to give you a plain and definitive “yes!” The first offer begins this legal conversation of how the real estate transaction is going to play out. Once an offer is accepted, it becomes a legally binding contract. The process starts with a buyer extending an offer to a buyer. When the seller gets that offer, they have three options: make an offer back (counteroffer), reject the offer (end the conversation altogether), or accept the offer (making it a legally binding agreement). In order for a seller to accept an offer, they must do so unconditionally,…

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