My New Outside Blog

Youtube

Jay Cooke (Coldwell Banker Previews International) — Mon, 13 May 2013 12:47:38 -0700

Just posted a video for my land listing on Rock Rimmon Road in Stamford. It was a lot of fun to do. Here's the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6EOif2f99s&feature=youtu.be

Bloomberg with Coffee - the way to start the day

Jay Cooke (Coldwell Banker Previews International) — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 04:45:25 -0800

Bloomberg today has a great article "Home Sales, Values Probably Increased: U.S. Economy Preview". It is a quick primer as to where we are and where we may go if we fall off that fiscal cliff.

One of the things that helps me most in my business is knowing not only the current conditions for my market bit also the trends and results in the larger market. A great deal of the activity in lower Fairfield County is directly connected to the New York fiscal markets. If you don't currently have a news feed, sign up for one. It's a great way to start the day - knowing what your informed clients will be talking about.

The Power of Words - a must see video

Jay Cooke (Coldwell Banker Previews International) — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 10:03:48 -0700

As Realtors our language skills are vital. This inspiring video reminds us of the power of words. Correct choices may make a world of difference in your life and in your career.

If you haven't seen this Youtube video yet, please see it now. You will be moved.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pD3Tos6i8o

Realtors - neighbors helping neighbors

Jay Cooke (Coldwell Banker Previews International) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:42:42 -0700

We have a house in Ridgefield, Ct where we were staying last weekend when the Northeast was pounded by an early snowstorm. The event started earlier than predicted, dropped far more snow and wrecked more havoc with downed trees and wires than the recent Hurricane Irene. As I write large parts of the town are still without power.

But it is Sunday morning that I wanted to write about. As my neighborhood woke up to the day, it looked so wild - with a deep blanket of snow and trees and limbs everywhere. The portable generators were not yet hooked up so it was very quiet. Slowly we all bundled up and commenced the clean up.

The snow was the perfect consistency to build a snowman so clearing the drive to the road was a long process. When I reached the road I noticed one of the neighbors hard a work with his chainsaw. Our neighbor Mary had lost two trees, one blocked her garage, the other the street. As she lives alone we all try to watch out for her and help with snow etc. In this case, it was trees first and then the clearing.

Across the street, I saw Ann with a shovel making slow progress. I figured her husband must be away on business as he’s always the one out. So off I went to help her. Turned out their snow blower was on the work bench in for some repairs. We worked as a team and got the drive cleared in due course.

As I was finishing I noticed yet another family out with shovels making slow progress on their long, deep drive. So off I went to their assistance. Their blower will in for the Fall tune-up - talk about bad timing. As we worked, I learned that Hope had just taken her cell phone over to an elderly neighbor whose service was via cable which was out. Hope didn‘t want her to be alone with no means to summon help as she had been post Irene.

As the morning progressed other neighbors appeared to help other neighbors and it struck me so clearly - this is what we as real estate professionals do - we are neighbors helping neighbors. We are building relationships, neighborhoods, towns and the future one client and one sale at a time. Like clearing snow it can be exhausting and time consuming but it also brings enormous satisfaction for a job well done.

The House Fails to Act - AGAIN

Jay Cooke (Coldwell Banker Previews International) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 13:09:26 -0700

The house fails to vote on loan limits . .

http://newsgeni.us/?p=99893

As noted in the link, Congress has failed to extend the conforming loan limits on government-backed loans at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac set to expire on Oct 1st.

In a challenging market, the government should be helping not hurting. This failure will impact many markets in the country where homes regularly sell for over $625,500 which is the point at which the ceiling will retreat. The continuation of the current numbers has been proposed in several bi-partisan bills. Contact your representatives today and insist that this be passed.

If you're a home owner or hope to be one someday, this effects you! Make your voice heard!

Rock Rimmon Estates - 62 acres for $12,000,000

Jay Cooke (Coldwell Banker Previews International) — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 15:31:38 -0700

This is a land listing I have in Stamford, Connecticut. I posted it in the listing area although it is just land with no house. Check out the aerials on the link, it's a really beautiful area.

tp://cmls.rexplorer.net/REX$PUB/24/4424/pub/pub_7161444281.htm

Rock Rimmon Estates

Nestled in historic Stamford backcountry, this 62 acre Rock Rimmon parcel has been divided and approved as an 18 lot subdivision. Incredibly beautiful land, this is one of the last large private estates available. The 18 lots can used separately or combined in any number of ways. It will be ideal for an enclave, compound, new development or one signature estate.

Adjacent to the fabled Hillandale estate, the topography features range from high land with sweeping views to broad level home sites or parcels with gentle rolling hills. The Rock Rimmon area features a prestigious country club with 18 hole course and has historically been the home of famed publishers, musicians, actors and other artists.

It’s private setting is just a short drive to shopping, restaurants and trains in downtown Stamford. Just north to the New York border are the villages of Pound Ridge and Bedford. This is a rare opportunity to acquire this kind of desirable acreage.

Greenwich Waterfront Estate Now In Contract

Jay Cooke (Coldwell Banker Previews International) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:23:51 -0700

Recently I posted this comment to my Blog:

A Magnificent Waterfront Estate in Greenwich Connecticut

One of the great joys of our business is touring the homes for sale. Whether a modest starter home or an amazing estates, some of our market areas run the complete gambit.

This week I was privileged to tour a truly amazing waterfront estate in Greenwich Ct that is being marketed by Sotheby's. Originally the site of the Roebling's summer house, the estate even comes complete with a 175 foot suspension bridge which echoes the more famous one in Brooklyn. Offered at $42,500,000 I thought some of you might enjoy looking at it: http://grw.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1325381979&s=GRW&t=GRW

This home which had been featured in Architectural Digest was a unique in many respects. I am very happy to report that it is now in contract. This is very good news for the top end of our spectrum iin Greenwich. Of course this is a very special home in a great waterfront community.

Back On The Market - Now Even More Expensive!

Jay Cooke (Coldwell Banker Previews International) — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 10:42:15 -0700

Yesterday I posted the following piece about the a famed Greenwich landmark coming back on the market for resale six months after it closed. It had taken over two years to sell the first time around.

GREENWICH REAL ESTATE, Dunellen Hall - The Curse Continues?

Dunellen Hall, one of the "Great Estates of Greenwich" and former home of Harry and Leona Helmsley is back on the market. Originally for sale at $125,000,000 in May of 2008, the estate went through several brokers and numerous price reductions before selling in October of 2010 for $35,000,000.

Now it has returned to the market with a price tag of $42,900,000. Or the additional $7.9 the next buyer gets to customize the new kitchen and baths. Yet as fascinating as this 40 acre estate is, the new price would seem aggressive. You can view it here:

http://grw.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1210019061&s=GRW&t=GRW
Some previous owners of this fabled dwelling have come to sad ends or endured significant loss and travail one wonders if these owners will be joining the list. Time as always will tell all.

It got me to thinking; often we see a property coming back to the market with a list price above where it had been just a short time before. It may be listed with the same agent or the next agent. Disbelief immediately arises in most of us. What's different? What's been changed? If it did sell before at a lower price why the increase? Did someone not have a discussion with the sellers?

OK folks, here's how it is:

Real estate agents aren't the keepers of the keys OR the information anymore.

Virtually everything is online and searchable.

Potential buyers will know the listing history in short order.

As a seller, you have already announced to the market an acceptable price.

By raising the price you are telling the market: a. I've made changes to increase value and/or desirability or b. I'm going to be very difficult.

Is this the seller you want to be? Are you the agent afraid to have this discussion? If the home did not sell before at a lower price the market has told you loud and clear its' option of the price. Remember you have to sell the house three time - to the buyer agent, to the buyer and to the appraiser. You would do well to listen.

With Two You Get Eggrolls?

Jay Cooke (Coldwell Banker Previews International) — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 11:12:58 -0700

So, I'm doing a POH (public open house) tomorrow. I have the ads in; I'm ready to rock. Then the assistant of the agent I'm sharing the listing with lets me know that the owners are doing a tag sale at the same time!

They figure that the POH will bring folks in and the tag sale will bring in even more folks. I'm curious how it will turn out. Is this the "surf and turf" of real estate?

I know we have to think outside the box but . . . The common link is buyers looking for bargains. Will there be a crossover here? Will the tag sale folks look at the house, will the people looking for a house pick up a few odds and ends?

Anyone done this one before? Stay tuned.

They Walk Among Us

Jay Cooke (Coldwell Banker Previews International) — Thu, 19 May 2011 11:00:55 -0700

Just finished reading a post It Should Be Taught In Real Estate School by Karen Kruschka. Boy did that hit home as evidenced by the comments. It is sad but true that the classes folks take to get a Real Estate License prepares you to pass the test not succeed in the craft. Manners, courtesy and professionalism at sometimes lacking in some of the folks who practice in out industry.

I joke that is our business like others someone must have graduated at the bottom of the class. It's just that some days we seem to run into too many of them. And their bad practice is what people remember.

The basics of good manners, courtesy to others, promptness do not go out of style. They will however set you apart from others who don't use them. Time and economic challenges will usually weed out some of the sloppy, the inconsiderate and the inept. Hopefully their clients will edit out the rest.