Rebecca Blacker
As seen in:
U.S. News and World Report,
Habitat Magazine
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Articles by Rebecca Blacker
How Real Estate Agents Can (And Should) Use Social Media
Every broker today takes photos of a new property listing, plus video in many cases, and posts them to a multiple listing service (MLS) and sites like Zillow and Realtor.com, as well as their company’s website and the agent’s personal website if they have one. Job done, right? Wrong. In today’s crowded marketplace, if agents aren’t also turning to social media to promote their listings and themselves, they are losing out on a crucial way to market a home and target buyers.
Making Sense Of The Changes To Real Estate Commissions
Some major changes have occurred for buyers and sellers following the well-publicized settlement of a large antitrust case against the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and numerous national brokerages. The changes involve the often sensitive topic of commissions and “decoupling” the traditional way commissions are paid.
Co-op values decline as condos gain popularity
This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared in U.S. News & World Report. Rebecca Blacker is a broker at Coldwell Banker Warburg. As a New York City real estate professional for over 14 years, representing both buyers and sellers, I have seen a decided shift in the landscape over the past few years as condos have become increasingly more desirable than cooperatives.
The Most Common Questions Buyers Ask Real Estate Brokers
Beginning the search for a new home can be stressful. The more you feel in control of the process, the more confident you will be as you begin the journey. As a real estate professional who has spent thousands of hours with clients, I get asked a lot of questions. Here are some of the ones I hear most frequently. In nearly every case, there is some nuance to the answer, since no specific situation is exactly the same.
Common Seller and Buyer Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Many of us not only care about our residential property investments, but actively consume and absorb real estate data and trends, whether it be from the media or word-of-mouth from our personal networks. We want to navigate the real estate market smartly when presented with various choices. But it can be difficult to discern what information is true or false, timely or obsolete, relevant to our property or only to someone else’s.
An Insider’s Guide to Real Estate Negotiations For Buyers
In this busy spring season, real estate negotiations are the most important aspect of securing a deal for your new home. Even a small mistake can cost you a lot of money or dismantle the deal entirely. You need to have a seasoned pro by your side who is strategic, understands the psychology of both buyers and sellers and has a deep knowledge of the ever-shifting market to secure the best price. Ever wonder how your real estate agent does it and what goes into it?
How to Navigate the Spring Homebuying Season in New York City
Spring has traditionally been considered the peak homebuying season. As temperatures warm, buyers are ready to pound the pavement and view homes, with a goal of closing a sale by early summer and moving in before Labor Day. While this generally holds true in New York City, the recent real estate market has been somewhat less predictable.
Is It Cheaper to Live in Connecticut and Commute to New York City?
Living in New York City, especially in Manhattan and in some parts of Brooklyn, is expensive. In fact, it is often ranked as the most expensive real estate in the country – and the world. People who live in New York City frequently wonder how much money they would save if they lived outside the city and commuted to a job in Manhattan.
Navigating New York's High Mortgage Rate Environment
The current mortgage rate environment in New York City demands a recalibration of strategies for both buyers and sellers. (Getty Images) New York City’s real estate landscape is constantly evolving. The bustling market known for its resilience and dynamism is currently facing a significant challenge: the 30-year fixed mortgage rate hit a staggering 8% in October, something not seen since 2000.
How to Prepare Your Home for Sale in New York City
Keep in mind that rising mortgage rates have recently influenced many buyers’ ability to purchase homes in New York City.Getty Images Over 43,000 homes were sold last year in New York City, according to Statista. If you are expecting to sell your apartment or townhouse sometime soon in the unique New York City market, you will need to do some preparation in order to get the best price and have the most successful outcome. Here’s a guide to help you through this process.
How to Find a Real Estate Agent in New York City
The New York City real estate market is dynamic and complex. There are nuances in selling property in New York that you do not find in other places in the country. Therefore, it is essential that you choose a skilled real estate agent when buying or selling property. That decision is not always straightforward, especially because there are more than 80,000 active licensed real estate agents in New York. How do you choose the right one?
Remodeling Your Home for Resale in New York
In New York City, the neighborhood is often as important as the property. Tailor your renovations to match the expectations of buyers in your area.(Getty Images) In New York, where real estate is a premium commodity, it is wise to consider your resale value when doing a remodel on your home. Whether you're planning to sell your property in the near future or simply want to maximize its market appeal for eventual sale, strategic renovations can greatly impact its value now and in the long run.
How Your Real Estate Agent Should Be Marketing Your Listing
Video footage is continuing to gain ground as an excellent way to market your property, from clips on TikTok to a high-quality video tour, or even drone footage of the exterior of a property.(Getty Images) You want to put your home up for sale. You expect your real estate agent to write a great description, take some photos to post on their website, and add it to the multiple listing service, or MLS. Perhaps place an ad in a local print or online media outlet. Done. Right? Not anymore.
What Should You Consider When Deciding Between a Condo vs. House?
The decision to purchase a condominium or house may seem like an obvious one at first glance, but there are some pros and cons in each category that you should consider before investing in a condo versus a single-family house. Budget, life stage and lifestyle are all factors that might sway your ultimate decision. Most often, condos are part of a larger residential complex of attached homes that include shared amenities like a fitness room or pool.
The Guide for First-Time Homebuyers in New York
New York is one of the greatest cities in the world. It is also one of the most unique. It may not be surprising to learn that buying real estate in this special town is also different from nearly everywhere else on the globe. If you're considering buying in New York City, here's a guide to understanding the real estate landscape and navigating through some of the challenges that buying in New York City can present. Condo vs.
Should You Rent or Buy a Home?
In this ever-changing housing market, the decision to rent or to buy can be as confusing as ever. Remote work, climbing mortgage rates, rent increases and changing lifestyles are all now factors to be considered when making this critical decision. When it comes to the most significant touch points for deciding to rent or buy, some you may have already considered, but others may be factors to add to your thought process. Here’s what you should think about: Financial considerations.
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