Mirador’s Wellness Consultant Dr. Lynn Saladino featured in Brick Underground

Sharing Space can be Stressful. To Help Ease the Strain, Dr. Saladino Shares her Expert Tips on How to Pick the Right Roommate for You.

One of the first steps in nailing down an apartment is often finding a suitable roommate (or two).  While most of us have a repository of anecdotes about roommates who have come and gone over the years, there are always a few stories that we wouldn’t miss had they never happened.  Whether they’re eating your food or operating a few levels of spectacle above that point, holding steadfastly to some ground rules along with a healthy sense of self-awareness can help establish a congenial living environment.

Mirador Real Estate’s own wellness consultant Dr. Lynn Saladino has some handy tips for finding that balance.  “If you write a bit about the vibe of the living space you are looking for, you’ll likely attract a person who is looking for the same,” and finding someone who has similar expectations of the roommate relationship is crucial for maintaining an even keel while navigating the waters of apartment living.  A willingness to start conversations and face confrontations regarding the terms of your living situation can prevent conflict and frustration for those sharing their space with someone, be they a friend or stranger.  For more advice and even perhaps a few things that wouldn’t seem immediately obvious, head over to Brick Underground for more advice on harmonious living.

Mirador Real Estate’s Eydie Saleh featured in Brick Underground

Mirador’s Licensed Real Estate Salesperson and Appraiser Eydie Saleh Weighs in on Rental Qualification Process for Grad Students Looking to Live in NY

Living in one of the most populated cities in the world, it’s easy to forget that New York is also home to one of the largest student populations in the country.  While working toward that brass ring career, graduate students can face significant barriers in their search for an apartment.  The consensus among realtors is that while graduate students may find a landlord willing to work with transitional financial situations, many will be reluctant to accommodate students without a guarantor.

“It goes without saying that every landlord is different, but standard, larger management companies tend to be pretty stringent,” says Mirador Real Estate’s Eydie Saleh, but this doesn’t paint as discouraging a picture as one would expect.  There are still multiple avenues to finding a rental while you pursue your higher education so long as you’re willing to do a little extra legwork.  Eydie and others chime in on Brick Underground with a quick guide to qualifying for a rental through official and unofficial channels to help move you into a cozy study space so you can earn your higher degree with a lower degree of stress, read more here!

Mirador’s Exclusive Listings, Pan Am Equities Tower 67 and The Caroline, featured in this week’s episode of The Real Housewives of NYC!

In Her Search for a Home Away From Home, RHNYC Cast Member Countess Luann de Lesseps Turns to Pan Am Equities’ Luxury Residences.  

The bevvy of well-to-do beauty’s featured on BRAVO’s hit reality franchise the Real Housewives are known for living large.   So of course when they come home to kick up their couture heels, only the most opulent abodes would do.  After all, it’s not easy engaging in all that drama fueled fun each week.  It’s the type of outlandish glitz and glam that keeps viewers glued to their television as the reality series gives them a glimpse into the lifestyles of the rich and famous. 

The Real Housewives of NYC sip lush living from a crystal glass.  After all, Manhattan is home to some of the wealthiest women in the world.  Lucky for us, BRAVO gives us a peek into the lifestyles of some of the most prosperous and business-savvy women that the city has to offer, as they take a  peek into what the city has to offer them. 

So it’s no wonder  when cast member Countess Luann de Lesseps was searching for a pied-a-terre to complement her home in the Hamptons , only the finest would do.  She embarked on a search for a doorman luxury building with beautiful views, open space, abundant light, and a full spread of amenities – and Pan Am Equities Tower 67 and The Caroline fit the bill.   Known for listing premium Manhattan properties, Mirador Real Estate’s exclusive listings have become a go-to for many clients seeking spacious apartments with scenic views, without compromising quality or location.

First stop was Tower 67, where Luann was dazzled by the breathtaking views and the ample sunshine streaming into the 3-bed/3-bath high-rise apartment. She felt as if she had the city at her fingertips.

The main room could serve as the perfect dining area, where she could hold court and entertain guests.  Luann also marveled over the built in closet, fit for a Countess of course, where she could house her fabulous signature ensembles.  

With a prime location in the Flatiron district just steps away from Madison Square Park, the next stop was Mirador’s exclusive building downtown –Pan Am Equities “The Caroline” located at 60 W 23rd St New York, NY. 

While touring the Caroline, Luann and cast-mate Sonja Morgan were blown away by the posh penthouse they walked through, especially the one-of-a-kind gadgets displayed throughout and state-of the art bathroom amenities.

To view the full episode, featuring Tower 67 and The Caroline, view the full episode here.  To view availabilities, contact their exclusive agent, Mirador Real Estate.

Mirador Agents Anastasia Grusha and Melissa Trosterman featured in this week’s Brick Underground!

Feeling Harried in Your Home Search? Hear from Two of Mirador’s Top Licensed Real Estate Salespeople on How to Efficiently Hit the Market in a Hurry

When time is of the essence, hunting for your next home can be stressful. Since purchasing property is a pressure inducing process in itself, it’s important to perform an efficient streamlined search while minding the strict deadlines to mitigate the sense of urgency placed on a client’s shoulders.

Luckily, there are methods that are to keep in mind when hitting the streets. Mirador agents Anastasiia Grusha and Melissa Trosterman share with Brick Underground their secrets to a stress-free and rewarding home search experience, with the desired end goal of finding your perfect residence.

Anastasiia Grusha recommends, “gravitating towards apartments that are in ‘move-in condition.’” This will ensure a more seamless moving process, and if there are amenities not attended to, clients can use them as a negotiating chip to carve out a move in ‘as-is’ date, while tending to necessary accommodations.

Mirador’s Melissa Trosterman advises home seekers to come prepared with all necessary documentation, including potential guarantors; in hard copy form to expedite the process.

So whether it’s wearing comfy shoes or having the right documents, a plan of action will aid your efforts in finding that perfect property. To read the full story and hear more adept advice from Melissa and Anastasiia click here.

Mirador’s Co-Founder and Managing Partner featured in this week’s Observer!

The Great Space Debate: Is Volume-Based Pricing a Valid Means of Assessing Apartment Marketability or Merely an Alternative Method Falling Flat– Karla Weighs In

Imagine standing in the checkout line at a grocery store, contemplating the exact cubic footage of the food you are about to purchase before reaching the cashier. I mean, who really knows how many cubic feet are in a package of cheese?

Similar questions have been coming up over into the real estate world, with some brokers questioning the merits of the traditional methods of pricing properties. Some salespeople feel that relying solely on square footage for evaluating a space is not adequate when it comes to ultra-luxury listings. In these instances, some feel a volume approach towards pricing would be best when it comes to accurately evaluating distinguishing amenities, such as high ceilings.

Our Managing Partner, Karla Saladino believes this to be much ado about nothing. When broaching the subject with her landlord clients, Karla told the Observer “they literally laughed themselves to death.” She continued on to explain that the landlords “thought it was just more broker babble and ridiculousness,” she said.

There are so many components that go into determining the value of a listing. Basing calculations on something such as ceiling height without taking into consideration all of the other attributes, would be inaccurate, not truly reflecting the competitive pricing market.

Bottom line: Karla doesn’t believe buyers are going to fall for the hype when it comes to this alternative method of arriving at an appraisal. In the article, Karla describes that using volume is “like using the word ‘cozy.’ Clients will see right through it. It’s like listing in centimeters to get more numbers into my listing.”

To read more on what Karla had to say, check out the full article here.

Mirador’s Associate Broker Jeffrey Hannon Featured in this week’s DNAinfo!

Fire Escapes –Alluring Amenity or Something to be Absolutely Avoided

There’s a quietly quaint charisma surrounding the steel gratings of fire escapes stacked alongside many NYC buildings; becoming somewhat of an iconic feature. Even Hollywood has taken note, showcasing these rusty rails center stage in one of the most revered rom-coms of all time – Pretty Woman. I mean who can forget that final scene where Richard Gere rescues Julia Roberts from the fire escape, bouquet and all!

While we might not be Julia Roberts, we can appreciate the magic attached to that scene, and the attraction of buying or renting a unit featuring our very own fire escape. Not only does it grant extra outdoor space (a hot commodity in Manhattan), it also provides the safety of a quick and easy exit from an apartment in case of a fire. 

Whatever the aesthetic charm or outside appeal may be, the truth of the matter is some city fire escapes are dilapidated, leading to fatal disasters. This frightening fact has now got many New Yorkers wondering – are fire escapes a feature or foe?

Mirador’s Associate Broker, Jeffrey Hannon sat down with DNAinfo to share his thoughts on this very issue. He shares with the publication that “whether people see fire escapes as an amenity or a security risk depends a lot on the neighborhood they’re renting in.”

Jeffrey delves deeper into the pros and cons regarding having a fire escape outside your own home, covering everything from security issues vs. the enviable “Manhattan patio” space some New Yorkers feel it provides. Here’s everything you need to know before deciding if a fire escape is a feature for you and your family.

Mirador’s Licensed Real Estate Salesperson and Appraiser Eydie Saleh featured in this week’s Brick Underground

NYC Neighborhoods Buyers Can Invest In for a Nice Nest Egg

There are two things that you can count on when it comes to NYC real estate: the market acting awry and the cost of living continuously climbing (almost as high as those new luxury residential skyscrapers shooting up all across the city).

But fear not, first-time buyers! There is still much money to be made in Manhattan, especially when it comes to investing in real estate. The key to the money making castle, is recognizing when to pounce on a deal and when to opt out.   Knowing which neighborhoods to buy into is critical when the end goal is to generate more bang for your buck.

As an expert appraiser for the past eleven years, Mirador’s Eydie Saleh knows a thing or two about profitable property purchasing. Eydie shares her wisdom with Brick Underground, weighing in on which neighborhoods first-time buyers should steer towards, when it comes to making that initial investment.

According to Eydie, “Northern Manhattan is by far one of the best investments for first-time buyers. Columbia University is well into construction of their new Medical and Graduate Education building on Haven Avenue between 171th and 172nd Streets. It’s one of the most exciting monumental new developments happening in NYC.”

Read the full article featuring Eydie in Brick Underground here, and learn more about what neighborhoods are a must and which ones are a bust, when it comes to investing your hard earned cash.

Mirador’s Founder and Managing Partner Karla Saladino Featured in The Real Deal

The Upsurge of Airbnb Usage has Some Brokers Boggled – But Not Our Managing Partner Karla Saladino! Hear Her Proactive Stance on Airbnbs and What Brokers and Buyers Should be Doing

Airbnb has exploded on the rental market, even superstars like Queen B herself have utilized the service when looking for short-term rentals.  Who can forget the lavish images of the luxury Airbnb mega mansion splashed on her social media page while in town for her slay-worthy Super Bowl stint? Even oversea businessmen and techies are attracted to the allure of temporary rentals on Airbnb, as it allows them plush temporary housing for extended off-site work travel.

The recent rise of temporary rentals on Airbnb, especially in New York, makes it easy for ‘hosts’ to market their space as a temporary hotel and turn a profit, all under the radar.  In many cases this goes against building bylaws and New York State’s Multiple Dwelling Law (making it illegal to sublease for fewer than 30 days without the property owner or leaseholder present).

Our Managing Partner, Karla Saladino is not ok with this, and has recently shared her firm stance on the issue with The Real Deal.

“When it comes to rental buildings, the answer in New York is always no.  You don’t mess with it at all.  If they’re caught, the landlords are hit with tremendous fines.  If we catch people using Airbnb at the buildings we manage, we move to evict immediately.”

Karla and her colleagues at Mirador have tackled the illegal use and misuse of Airbnb head on by implementing tight screening methods to weed out would be short-term renters.  This not only prevents violations, it saves landlords hefty fines and the headache of a potential lawsuit.

Her methods have been so effective that Karla and her team were able to break up a “giant ring” of fraudsters that were illegally misusing the service.  Want to learn more about Karla’s proactive stance and the polices Mirador has put into place to protect against this issue?  Get the full scoop here.

News of Mirador’s New Office Space Featured in Citybizlist

It’s Official – We’re Expanding! We are Excited to Announce Our 4th Mirador Office Location on the Upper West Side

Spotted: Booming full-service residential brokerage opening its office doors on the 17th floor of prime high-rise building, Tower 67.

Due to our exclusive listing with the luxurious Tower 67 (located at 145 West 67th St.), it only seemed fitting to set up shop here.  The 800 square foot state of the art space boasts outdoor spaces and beautiful views.  Poised as the perfect outpost for our fourth office location, it provides quick and efficient access to better serve our Upper West Side clients.

Our Associate Broker Revin Kittles, a 15-year real estate industry veteran, will lead the new office.  We will house around 10 agents at this location.

Business is booming in this prestigious area making acquisition of this additional office space a natural necessity.

Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Mirador, Karla Saladino explains to Citybizlist that “because our business on the Upper West Side, Washington Heights and Inwood has been increasing exponentially, we felt the need to open an outpost to best serve that area’s clientele.”

As our business continues to grow so does our roster of agents (currently at 30 and counting), ensuring that we continue to provide personalized and professional services expected by our clientele.  Along with our new Tower 67 office, we have three other locations at 60 West 23rd St., 100 East 13th St., and 330 East 39th St.

Read more about the unique business model and record-breaking deals that led to our 4th office expansion, here.

Mirador’s Resident In-House Interior Designer Logan Yost Featured in DNAinfo

Logan Shares Expert Tips and Tricks for Getting Your Apartment in Tip Top Shape for Selling

Springtime has officially sprung.  Flowers are in bloom, harsh blizzards are behind us, and landlords and leaseholders are beaming as the rental season is officially booming.

The change of seasons signals a new start for many, providing the perfect opportunity to organize. And what better way to get so fresh and so clean, than by starting off spring by decluttering and deodorizing your space; especially if you are looking to sell!

Expert stagers and brokers take advantage of this busy season by buckling down and making apartments more appealing to potential buyers or renters, getting rid of all the funk and junk that accumulated over the course of the seller’s stay.  There is nothing more off-putting and nauseating than walking into an apartment and being engulfed in offensive odors, filth, slime, and grime.

Mirador’s in-house interior designer Logan Yost has great advice for avoiding these abominable stenches when showing your property.  When speaking with DNAinfo, he advised “if you’re hoping to get rid of smells, make sure you clean fabrics like drapes, throw pillows and zippered upholstery according to their cleaning instructions.”

Yost also reveals another secret touch to making a seller’s home more aesthetically pleasing to renter’s and buyers alike; fresh flowers and scented candles.  Nest candles are much more nose-friendly than the stench of stale pet urine and remnants of last night’s fish dinner lingering in the air. Bottom line: save the salmon for someplace other than your home while it’s on the market!

To hear more tricks of the trade from Logan, read the full article from DNAinfo here.  Even if you’re not selling, Logan’s tips can help your home smell enticing and inviting – and who doesn’t want that!

Mirador’s Neeta Mulgaokar featured in this week’s Brick Underground!

Free Rent Incentives – Fact or Fiction? Mulgaokar Weighs in on Why Comprehension is Critical When it comes to Concessions

Free rent is as enticing a proposition as retailers offering free designer duds Due to the alluring appeal of receiving something of high value for free, both elicit a comparable call to action.   Whether it’s scooping up an apartment for a comped month’s rent, or free apparel flying off the rack, the end result is the same; the inventory is occupied or sold.

But, as the saying goes; if it’s to good to be true, it probably is.  The truth of the matter is, this “free rent” concept that flooded NYC rental listings in February shouldn’t be taken at face value.  While it may offer some short-term benefits, the bottom line is renters need to read the fine print and be aware of their long-term goals and end results when leaving a lease.

Mirador’s Neeta Mulgaokar elaborates more on the nebulous meaning behind the bold statement of “free rent” when speaking with Brick Underground.  In the article Neeta articulates the pros and cons for this particular concession; and which clients can receive serious savings (short-term renters) and who should steer clear (long-term renters).

“For long term renters, [a free month] may not be the golden goose. You could be putting yourself in a precarious position,” Neeta shares. “I’m totally for incentives for some people, and totally against it for others.”

The same goes for “non-broker” fee bargains.  It’s common to see banners draped over buildings flaunting this no-broker fee policy attached to renting at this particular property.  But as Neeta explains, this is not really the case, as she explains “there is no such thing as a no broker fee.”

To avoid setting yourself up for future headaches, get the full scope of what really lays behind landlord and leaseholder incentives, by reading the full article featuring Neeta here.

Mirador’s Eydie Saleh Featured in this Week’s Luxury Listings Magazine

WITH AGENTS IN ANGUISH OVER THE RECENT COMPS CONUNDRUM FLOODING THE FINICKY STATE OF THE NYC SALES MARKET…ITS GOT US ASKING, ARE COMPS ABOUT TO BE COMPED OUT?

That is the million-dollar question on many NYC real estate agents minds, as they continuously mull through current comps in order to properly price new property. A fete, unfortunately proven futile, given that the devised data on file is stale, and not accurately reflective of present market conditions.

This is a sentiment shared by Mirador agent and in house appraiser, Eydie Saleh, telling Luxury Listing magazine that, “in today’s market, sale prices are more than ever a moving target.”

These ‘moving targets’ have made calculating comps for residential real estate exceedingly difficult – chalk it up to buyers not signing contracts as quickly as they once were – or the cloud of uncertainty looming over the current state of the market.

Whatever the cause of this comp chaos, one thing is for sure – brokers are frustrated and finding it increasingly ineffective relying on comps to convey accurate figures for a new listings.

So, are comps in, or out? Read Luxury Listings full story featuring Eydie here and get all the details on whether or not comps are simply becoming a waste of time.

Mirador’s Wellness Expert Dr. Lynn Saladino Featured in Brick Underground

NYC’S OBSESSION WITH HOARDERS

We can all relate to the Carrie Bradshaw’s of NYC – you know, using your stove to store your Stuart Weitzman’s and spare sweaters– I mean, totally normal, right? It’s all about that extra closet space – and sometimes you just got to get creative, as the luxury of walk in closets or even better, glam rooms are far and few between. And there’s always seamless.

But, there’s a big difference between storing stuff in an otherwise underutilized space and just plain, hoarding. Hoarding is a topic that continues to captivate the attention – and for those unlucky few who dwell in the vicinity of a hoarder, the stench – of many New Yorker’s.

Mirador’s in house wellness expert, Dr. Lynn Saladino weighs in on the lure of hoarding in a recent Brick Underground article. “There is definitely a huge fascination with it.   It’s such a visual representation that something is going on with a person.”

Remember the media frenzy that flocked around infamous hoarders Homer and Langley Collyer nearly 7 decades ago? Amazingly enough, there are still so many hoarders habituating in this city today and the interest in them, is just has high as it was all those years ago. Crazy to think that hoarders would choose Manhattan, of all places, to collect their clutter, considering the standard size of most NYC apartments – but they tend to live in larger, rent-stabilized units, for this reason.

Dr. Saladino delves deeper into the hoarding issue, giving insightful information about the patterns and misconceived perceptions people might have on hoarders. Read the full article featuring Dr. Saladino here and learn some of the secrets behind the chaotic walls of clutter within our own city – and sometimes our very own building.

Mirador’s Managing Partner Karla Saladino featured in Observer

Life is about to get a bit more difficult for commuting Brooklynites and Brooklyn-based brokers alike, if the MTA goes full steam ahead with its potential plans to interrupt the heavily populated L line subway service within the next several years.

Since news of this disconcerting disturbance slipped, many affected L line commuters are left feeling disgruntled, as it not only disrupts their current mode of transportation into Manhattan, but it could displace them out of their neighborhoods, as the attraction of being conveniently located near the L line stations would no longer be an appealing factor.

Just the potential of a temporary shut down already has affected areas taking action. People are putting properties on the market, that otherwise might not have been put up for a few years, and renters attention has begun to shift from Williamsburg and Bushwick to different neighborhoods and areas, more conveniently located to the JMZ lines.

This is something Our Managing Partner, Karla Saladino knows all to well, sharing her thoughts on this shift with the Observer. In the article, Karla elaborates on the momentum and boost that other areas, such as Astoria, have been seeing – in just this past month alone!

Read more about what Karla had to say on the issue here and see how you might be affected if the MTA’s plans come into fruition.

Mirador’s Christine McAndrews featured in this week’s Observer

That seems to be the current trend seen in today’s market, as many real estate professionals are finding that a client’s desire “to light, or not to light,” is just as prevalent a prerequisite as “pets, or no pets,” when it comes to finding that perfect place to Netflix and chill.

We all know the hazards that smoking can have on your health, but who knew the havoc it could wreck on signing or leaving a lease?

Christine McAndrews, Mirador’s top-notch salesperson, is starting to know it all too well, having seen firsthand the impact that the stench of smoke aired in apartments can pose on potential deals.

Christine delves deeper into this issue, facing brokers and buyers alike, in her latest interview with The Observer.

Bottom line – home is where the heart is, and while some find solace in the soothing scents of candles, others simply fancy the fumes of cigar and cigarette smoke.  Whatever diffuser and decor defines your space of sanctuary; McAndrews and Mirador cater to each client’s unique preference, from ashtray friendly to aqua de soi candles only.

Read the Observer’s full story featuring Christine here and see what she and Mirador have done to accommodate the well-being trend that has now trickled its way into real estate.

Mirador’s Managing Partner Karla Saladino Weighs in on Ground Floor Apartments

Starting to despise the hike up the stairs to your third-floor walkup? Ground-floor units starting to look appealing? Mirador Real Estate tells you everything you need to know about life on a building’s main floor in this week’s Buy Curious. 

Read the full article here.

Karla Saladino Talks L Train Closures in DNAinfo

BROOKLYN — If the L train’s tunnel connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn shuts down for a prolonged period of time — as is currently being discussed by the MTA — you can expect rents in neighborhoods along the line to dip, brokers said.

The areas hit would include Williamsburg and Bushwick.

But nearby neighborhoods that have easier access to other modes of transit — such as Greenpoint, South Williamsburg and Bedford-Stuyvesant — could see rents rise as would-be L train riders seek alternatives, said Jeffrey Schleider, a Williamsburg resident and founder of Miron Properties.

Click here to read the full article.

Should you Buy or to Rent in NYC? Karla Saladino featured in DNAinfo

Many New Yorkers often rack their brains over the question of whether to buy or rent.

Well, the data crunchers at real estate search engine StreetEasy believe they have the answer: It makes financial sense to consider owning if you plan to stay in the city for more than 5 years (and have the down payment to do so).

For Karla’s take, read the full article here.

Mirador’s Eydie Saleh Warns Against Buying Sans Broker in DNAinfo

MANHATTAN — Armed with abundant data about apartment listings and open houses from websites like Streeteasy, an increasing number of house hunters — especially first-time buyers — are opting to search alone and skip brokers.

Many believe it can give them a leg up in the process, thinking the sellers’ broker might favor their bid for a higher commission or that the seller could save on the commission if only working with one broker.

Brokers, obviously, disagree, claiming those perceived advantages typically don’t pan out in reality.

For their reasons why, read more here.

Mirador’s Dr. Lynn Saladino/Press/What to do When Hiding a Cat from Your Landlord

We often receive emails from readers asking for help in navigating their own real estate crises. In Realty Bites, we try to get them answers.

THE CONUNDRUM

“My landlord and lease specifically say no pets, but I’ve had a cat for the past 8 months, and no one has noticed or complained. I’m up for renewal this winter, however, and they’ll likely want to inspect when I re-sign. Should I re-sign and hide the cat; try to negotiate since it’s been here without causing problems; or stop pushing my luck and find a new place?”

Read the full article here.