The Year Past – The Year To Begin

The holiday season of 2008 is an especially important one. The past year and most importantly the past few months have been historic.

The economy is the most volatile it’s been since WWII. People have lost jobs, homes and savings. Our country is facing many changes with President Elect Obama who will be inaugurated into office on January 20, 2009. We’re all hoping for the best.

People are worried and even scared, but is that any reason to be unkind? During 2008 I noticed an increase of people who are rude and don’t go the extra mile. Isn’t treating people with kindness and respect the way we all should be treating our fellow man?

I’ve especially noticed this behavior in customer service people, who on an average are rude, and don’t help. When you are in a service industry it is essential to give the best service one can offer. We’re all stressed, but if each one of us would remember that our customers are just as stressed, and deserve to be treated with the utmost respect, everyone would benefit. It’s our job to help them. And sometimes, going the extra mile really makes a difference.

As we put 2008 behind us, we can only be positive and hope for that 2009 brings a better economy, and easier times for everyone. And we must remember that when offering our services to customers, that we give them the very best. After all – isn’t that how we like to be treated?

Let 2009 be the year of concentrated kindness and respect for others. What a difference it will make!

Holiday Tipping in Apartment Buildings

The holiday season is here and it's time to start thinking about tipping for services in our apartment buildings.

For those living in Manhattan, holiday tipping is the norm and can seem endless.

While it's important to be generous, it's also important to be realistic about what you can afford. Especially in our current economic climate.

Tips in decent class buildings (not Park and Fifth Avenues) run between $20 and $300, and it's not uncommon for supers to accumulate well into the five figures.

Porters and doormen see anywhere between $2,000 and $10,000, depending on the size of the building.

Holiday tipping is a way to say ‘thank you' for services. And it's a big part of apartment service worker's compensation.

Some Manhattan apartment buildings pool tips so the workers receive one lump sum. Most leave it up to the individual resident.

I hope you will find the information below useful when tipping in your apartment building this holiday season!

Apartment Building Superintendent
$50-200. Tip less if you tip throughout the year.

Apartment Doorman/Concierge
$10-80 or more each, depending upon building. Those who serve you more should get a bigger tip.

Apartment Building Handyman And Porters
$15-40 each

Apartment Building Elevator Operators
$15-40

USPS Mail Carrier
Non-cash gifts with value up to $20. This is for mail carriers that you know and see regularly.*

UPS - Regular Driver
Has no formal policy. Drivers don't expect tips but can accept them.

Fedex
Not allowed to accept anything over the value of $75. No cash gifts accepted.

Newspaper Carrier
Daily - $25 - 50, weekend - $10

Regular Overnight Delivery Person
$10-30

Parking Attendants
$10-30 each

These are suggested tips for Manhattan. Tips will vary throughout the rest of the country. Most importantly -- give what you can. If you are giving less this year, include a postscript saying "Wish it could be more" and your gift will be very appreciated.

During this holiday season, remember to take time for yourself so that you're not frazzled when entertaining.

And keep in mind - if you're planning on putting your apartment on the market, the holidays are a great time to do this. People who look for a home during the Holidays are more serious buyers! Serious buyers have fewer houses to choose from during the Holidays and less competition means more money for you!

Wishing you all the blessings of the holiday season,

Ross Ellis
Licensed Real Estate Agent
Halstead Property, LLC

Ask me about Love Our Children USA and Brokers Build at Habitat For Humanity

3rd Quarter Market Report _Manhattan Sales

I am pleased to provide the Manhattan Sales 3rd Quarter Market Report.

While the luxury market played a large role in increasing the value of the real estate market. The sales from those apartments have continued to aide the market, even as the national business media focuses on the ailing national economy.

Manhattan condo sales have slowed and inventory has grown, leaving developers to negotiate but not slash prices.

Holiday Giving

With the holidays upon us, it's a time to give gifts to our loved ones, friends and customers.

In a volatile economy gift buying could decrease for some. And at the same time there are wonderful groups doing important work whose donations are suffering.

This holiday season, rather than buying expensive gifts, I will be making donations to charity in the names of my loved ones, friends and customers. It's like giving twice!

Here is a list of top registered charities you may want to consider:

Alzheimer's Associaton
To eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.

American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service.

American Heart Association
Our mission is to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. That single purpose drives all we do.

America's Second Harvest (New name is FEEDING AMERICA)
The nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity

Brokers Build
Brokers Build is a campaign for real estate brokers to raise $1M to build homes with Habitat For Humanity in New York City
(Full Disclosure - the writer of this blog is a Broker Who Builds)

Darfur - Not On Our Watch
Focusing global attention and resources towards putting an end to mass atrocities around the world.

Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS
The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation seeks to prevent pediatric HIV infection and to eradicate pediatric AIDS through research, advocacy, and prevention and treatment programs.

Feed The Children
Feed The Children provides food, medicine, clothing, educational materials and other essentials to children and their families domestically and internationally.

Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. HFHI seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.

Juvenile Diabetes Foundation
JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research.

Love Our Children USA
The national nonprofit leader in breaking the cycle of violence against children. It has become the ‘go-to' prevention organization for all forms of violence and neglect against children in the U.S.
(Full Disclosure - the writer of this blog is the founder and chief executive officer of this charity)

March Of Dimes
Dedicated to improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

MS Society
The MS Society is a collective of passionate individuals who want to do something about MS now-to move together toward a world free of multiple sclerosis. They help each person address the challenges of living with MS by funding cutting-edge research, driving change through advocacy, facilitating professional education, and providing programs and services that help people with MS and their families move their lives forward.

North Shore Animal League
North Shore Animal League America, headquartered in Port Washington, NY, is the largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization in the world.

ONE
ONE is Americans of all beliefs and every walk of life - united as ONE - to help make poverty history

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
St. Jude is unlike any other pediatric treatment and research facility. With research and patient care under one roof, St. Jude is where some of today's most gifted researchers are able to do science more quickly. All patients accepted for treatment at St. Jude are treated without regard to the family's ability to pay.

Stand Up To Cancer
Stand up to cancer raised funds for research in unprecedented effort to end cancer's reign as a leading cause of death

Starlight Starbright Childrens Foundation
Enhancing the lives of critically and terminally ill children through granting wishes and hospital programs
Full Disclosure - the writer of this blog is a volunteer with this Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation)

Susan G. Komen For The Cure
The largest grassroot network of people working together to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care, and energize science to find a cure.

UNICEF
Raises funds for programs and increasing awareness of the challenges facing the world's children. The oldest of 37 national committees for UNICEF worldwide, they are part of a global effort to save, protect and improve children's lives.

For other registered charities please visit www.guidestar.org

Is The Manhattan Real Estate Market Holding Steady?

As a real estate agent in Manhattan, people often tell me they are sorry that things are so bad in real estate.

While I agree with that sentiment for many of my fellow brokers in hard hit areas across the country, the first quarter of 2008 in Manhattan did not show an ailing market at all. To the contrary, Manhattan real estate actually dramatically increased in value during that time.

The luxury market played a large role in increasing the value of the real estate market. The sales from those apartments have continued to aide the market, even as the national business media focuses on the ailing national economy.
Condo sales have slowed and inventory has grown, leaving developers to negotiate but not slash prices.

The Upper East Side has seen fewer increases compared to more popular and trendy neighborhoods.

Those who want to live on the Upper West Side are being priced out and looking farther north.

The greatest price cuts were in the West Village, where three changes brought the average net price change to $2.2 million.

While there is still ample concern over the future of the national market, it is doubtful that the Manhattan market will share the fate that markets across the country are enduring.

Working With Your Real Estate Agent

Finding the right home in Manhattan can take time and a lot of work. At times it can be overwhelming ...after all it's the most important decision you will make.

A licensed and professional Real Estate Agent can help navigate the process from beginning to end --- and even after your closing --- applying their expertise to your search to get you the results you deserve.

Using the right Agent can make all the difference between finding the home you have always wanted and frustration. Find an agent who can open the right doors for you. Find an agent who listens.

Look for an Agent, not a property since you'll be spending much of your time with this person, read agent biographies, request recommendations, even call to interview them. Communication is 80% of the process, so make sure you and your agent connect.

Share all requested information. Letting your agent know what you want is the first step to successful communication. Many factors play a part in the selection of properties for you to view and there are a wide variety of properties in New York City. Give your agent a complete picture of you and your needs to avoid wasting time looking at properties that does not suit your lifestyle. Make a wish list. You may not get everything on your list, but a good agent will work to get you as much of your wish list as possible.

When looking at properties, give your agent a piece of your mind.While looking at properties, let your agent know what resonates with you for each property. A good agent will consider all of the input you have given throughout the relationship when selecting properties to see, not just your initial requirements. Perhaps your reaction to a property will bring to mind another option they would have otherwise struck from the list. As you see more properties with your agent, they will get to know how they can best assist you.

Be Open. Never feel that you have to hold back in your assessment of a property, your assessment of a contract, or your feelings on a situation. Your agent is there to help you and the more they know, the better off you are.

Pick one agent to assist you. In Manhattan, every agent has access to the same group of listings through RLS (REBNY Listing Exchange Service) which acts similarly to the MLS. Working with multiple agents will just make more work for you, in that you will have to manage a team of people, field many phone calls and emails, learn of duplicate properties and make the search for your home all that more overwhelming.

Whether you're a buyer or seller, pick the agent who is right for you and work exclusively with them. Your agent works for you and if you choose the right agent for your needs, you'll find that the process of buying or selling a home is not nearly as daunting as you think -- because your agent will do all of the work. A good real estate agent is worth their weight in gold!

15 Tips For Packing Like A Pro When Moving To Your New Home

1. Plan ahead by organizing and budgeting. Develop a master "to do" list so you won't forget something critical. To estimate costs, get quotes from two or three reputable movers.

2. Sort and get rid of things you no longer want or need. Have a garage sale, donate to a charity, or recycle.

3. Don't throw out everything. If you're inclined to toss it, you're probably right. But one can go overboard in the heat of the moment. Ask yourself how frequently you use an item and how you'd feel if you no longer had it. That will eliminate regrets after your move.

4. Pack like items together. Put toys with toys, kitchen utensils with kitchen utensils. Your life will be easier when it's time to unpack.

5. Decide what, if anything, you plan to move yourself. Precious items such as family photos, valuable breakables, or must-haves during the move should probably stay with you. Don't forget to keep a "necessities" bag with tissues, snacks, and other items you'll need that day.

6. Use the right box for the item. Loose items are prone to breakage.

7. Put heavy items in small boxes so they're easier to lift. Keep weight of each box under 50 pounds, if possible.

8. Don't over-pack boxes. That will increase the chances that items inside the box will break.

9. Wrap every fragile item separately and pad bottom and sides of boxes.

10. Label every box on all sides. You never know how they'll be stacked and you don't want to have to move other boxes aside to find out what's there.

11. Use color-coded labels to indicate which room each item should go in. Color-code a floor plan for your new house to help movers.

12. Keep your moving documents together in a file. Including important phone numbers, driver's name, and moving van number. Also keep your address book handy.

13. Back up your computer files before moving your computer.

14. Remember, most movers won't take plants. If you don't want to leave them behind, plan on moving them yourself.

15. Inspect each box and all furniture for damage as soon as it arrives.