Meet the Management: James Ferrari

James Ferrari founded Benjamin James Real Estate after a long a frustrating search for the perfect home in New York. He saw the need for a real estate agency that was capable of catering to a full range of New Yorkers. His aim was simple: to create a truly service-oriented real estate firm with expert agents that worked hard for sellers, buyers, renters, and landlords. Benjamin James was founded in 1993, and in its first decade, it became a leading firm in the New York City real estate market.

To see James’ listings, go to http://www.benjaminjames.com/index.cfm?page=agents&state=profile&id=247 and go to www.benjaminjames.com to learn more about Benjamin James Associates.

Check out James’ bio at Neighborhood NYC at http://neighborhoodnyc.com/author/jamesf/

Meet the Agents: Thomas Vojvodich

Thomas has lived in Chelsea for 7 years and worked in Chelsea for almost 10 years. When asked about the neighborhood, he is quick to point out some of his favorite restaurants Il Bastardo and Le Zie, and he knows the managers and head bartenders by name. At Il Bastardo, he recommends the veal Milanese and lasagna and claims that the spaghetti with meatballs and the short braised ribs at Le Zie are the “best in Manhattan.”…

To see Thomas’ listings, go to http://www.benjaminjames.com/index.cfm?page=agents&state=profile&id=213 and go to www.benjaminjames.com to learn more about Benjamin James Associates.

Check out Thomas’ bio at Neighborhood NYC at http://neighborhoodnyc.com/blog/agent-profile-thomas-vojvodich/

Meet the Agents: Christina Oden

Christina Oden is a native southerner who came here to the Big City from Kentucky just over 10 years ago. She first got her start in the F & B Industry where she opened 9 NYC multi-million dollar bars, restaurants, and lounges.

Recently, Christina is fully enthralled in the real estate market, and nothing makes her happier than finding the perfect home for her clients.

To see Christina’s listings, go to http://www.benjaminjames.com/index.cfm?page=agents&state=profile&id=244 and go to www.benjaminjames.com to learn more about Benjamin James Associates

Check out Christina’s bio at Neighborhood NYC at http://neighborhoodnyc.com/blog/agent-spotlight-christina-oden/

Meet the Agents: Catherine Adams

Catherine joined Benjamin James with over 20 years of combined business experience.

A New York City native, Catherine has lived and worked in several neighborhoods in Manhattan, combining the intimate knowledge of a resident with dedicated, quality service to assist you in meeting your real estate needs.

To see Catherine’s listings, go to http://www.benjaminjames.com/index.cfm?page=agents&state=profile&id=219 and go to www.benjaminjames.com to learn more about Benjamin James Associates.

Check out Catherine’s bio at Neighborhood NYC at http://neighborhoodnyc.com/author/catherinea/

James Ferrari: We are here to stay.

***UPDATE*** 12/4/09: Here is the article released in The Real Deal that was referenced below http://therealdeal.com/newyork/articles/james-ferrari-founder-of-benjamin-james-real-estate-says-firm-to-stay-in-business-try-new-model

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Here is James Ferrari’s response to an article in The Real Deal.

Yesterday I had a spontaneous conversation with Candace from The Real Deal. I am looking forward to reading some of what Candace and I covered. In the meantime, I wanted to convey my thoughts on Douglas’ departure and the firms’ future.  I respect Douglas’ life decision and wish him luck in his new venture, he is my bro! I also want to make clear that Benjamin James is still open and it is business as usual, actually its mission statement and mandate has entirely changed and all shall see this. Just like Douglas made a life choice, I decided 5 years ago to build a career in, social enterprise, films, music, art, etc; and now I am quite excited to be in the real estate chairman role at Benjamin James again.

I do have some clear cut business plans which I am initiating and look forward to the future of Benjamin James Real Estate as a formidable player in the New York rental market.  If you take our current agents/staff, Chelsea location, generous advertising dollars, solid landlord relationships, internet marketing with our online marketing specialist, 16 year old brand name and couple that with my future growth model (philanthropy, re-opening of SoHo, etc…) we are sure to rise above and become the quintessential “come-back kids”.

Please stay tuned for future updates and you can follow our growth via Facebook, Twitter or our Blog.

We would like to thank Candace Taylor and The Real Deal for their time.

James Ferrari
http://www.benjaminjames.com

Bleecker Street: The New “Champs-Elysees & Via Veneto”

BLEECKER STREET: The New “Champs-Elysees & Via Veneto”

Suzanne Belmont is a veteran agent with Benjamin James Real Estate and has watched the transformation of Bleecker Street over the years and here is her take on Bleecker Street; circa today!

Ralph Lauren

Bleecker Street has emerged as New York’s newest retail hot spot.  If it’s shopping you crave: look no further! An array of trendy and independent retailers has taken up residence on this Greenwich Village street west of Seventh Avenue.  Arguably New York’s most charming neighborhood, the area is also host to some of the best independent women’s clothing stores in the city, most of which are located in cozy townhouses. Formerly a stretch of offbeat boutiques, the narrow tree-lined street has evolved into a major shopping destination which in my opinion rivals Madison Avenue.  Along this five block stretch you’ll find five different Marc Jacobs boutiques, four Ralph Lauren stores, Tommy Hilfiger outpost, cutting-edge fashion at Intermix or Olive + Bette’s, and savvy shoes and accessories at Verve.  The Only Lulu Guinness and Cynthia Rowley boutiques in the United States are here, as well as the Coach Legend store.

On weekends Bleecker Street is flooded with tourists on foot from around the country and across the pond.  Delightful and charming restaurants, cafes and shops are scattered throughout the blocks with the best that the West Village offers; The Spotted Pig, Tartine, Extra Virgin, Chow Bar, Pastis, John’s Pizza, Murray’s Cheese, Matt Umanov Guitars, Biography Bookshop, Robert Marc and the yummy Magnolia Bakery famous for their mouth watering cupcakes.

Magnolia Bakery

JUST AROUND THE CORNER ON “CHRISTOPER STREET” is the LUXURY PRE-WAR DOORMAN BUILDING:

95 The Gansvoort, aka 95 Christopher Street

The Gansvoort; aka 95 Christoper Street

This full service, luxury, Pre-war Doorman Building boats a beautiful marble lobby and is owned and operated by BLDG Management.  BLDG has an excellent reputation for maintaining its properties. The staff is highly responsive with a full-time doorman and a team that devotes its time to meticulously cleaning and updating the property. The building maintains its pre-war charm with the arched hallways, intricate moldings, and high ceilings, yet it is modernized with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances.  There is a live-in super, laundry facilities and this is a pet friendly building so furry friends are welcomed.

To view available apartments in this building please contact Suzanne Belmont by
P:  212 645 4477 ext 221 
C: 917-885-7020
E: suzanne[at]benjaminjames[dot]com

21 Chelsea: 21st century luxury in the Heart of Chelsea

You can view more info here http://www.21chelsea.net and give us a call when you are ready to view an apartment or inquire about availability.

Benjamin James is the exclusive on-site broker for this building. 

Our contact info is here: https://benjaminjamesrealestate.wordpress.com/about-benjamin-james-real-estate/contact-benjamin-james-real-estate/

Rental Deals: Change is Underway

At a rental industry event today in Midtown Manhattan, executives from a major landlord with over 2000 residential rental units in Manhattan acknowledged a market recovery in its early stages. They talked about how they are responding to higher occupancy rates, more consumer traffic, and rental incentives that have fueled the declined rental market over the past year.  In the most prime locations, owner-paid broker commissions (also known as OPs) and free rent incentives are being taken back, leaving tenants to pay today’s market prices without the benefit of “net effective” rents.  This also puts the responsibility for the broker fee back in the tenant’s court.

This landlord, who graciously sent three of its top brass to discuss the marketplace with rental managers and principal brokers from the most notable brokerage companies in Manhattan, noted that the one sweet spot in the city for consumers to capture bargains is Midtown West.  They, along with Silverstein, Rockrose and Glenwood, have added hundreds of new residential units in the Hudson Yards district – with more now under construction.  Consumers can continue to expect the big discounts, bargain prices, free rent incentives and owner paid fees in this neighborhood for the foreseeable future.

It is interesting that since October 1, our listings department has identified major landlords such as Rockrose/TF Cornerstone, Archstone, Related Management, and Equity Residential, who have removed owner paid commissions and free rent incentives in prime neighborhoods such as Chelsea, Greenwich Village, TriBeCa and even the Financial District (in some cases).  Other major landlords continue to pay brokers and give discounts; however, the four landlords mentioned here account for more than 10,000 residential rental units in Manhattan.  It is clear that a change is underway.

This new disparity in the changing market makes it more important than ever for consumers to identify a good broker / agent and stick with them.  We offer a unique perspective on the marketplace, as we keep up with which landlords are offering the best values, and where the definitions of value are changing.  While it might seem like a good use of time for a consumer to canvas each of the major landlord portfolios in search of bargains and discounts, a simple phone call to a reputable broker could yield the same information in a single conversation thus saving you time and we all know “time is money”.

Best Apartment Deal – From the Ground UP.

I’m currently showing this gorgeous prewar apartment in the East Village and I want to make my case for living on a first floor. I get a lot of phone calls about well priced East Village apartments, but often callers hang up when I tell them it’s located on the fourth or fifth floor. I tell them, “Well that’s why it’s so well priced!” Walking up three to five flights of stairs will usually get you a bigger, better space.

Having stated my case, I urge everyone to consider life on the first floor in the East Village. Many people are avidly against living on the first floor of an apartment building yet this is a golden opportunity to get a great space at a discount, and you don’t have to climb hundreds of stairs to get there! In fact, you can come and go from long trips or with your laundry/groceries without any hassle.

This particular East Village apartment I am showing is a grand two bedroom, easily converted into three bedrooms. There is tons of prewar charm and original details: high ceilings, crown molding, beautiful herringbone floors, and large rooms. The bedrooms are large, much like the great sized rooms you get in those old prewar buildings on the Upper West Side, but in this case it is situated in the younger, much hipper East Village.

This is the only apartment like it in this building, and do you may wonder why?!?! BECAUSE IT’S ON THE FIRST FLOOR! Yes you got it, First floor apartments usually have higher ceilings and more room, because buildings are often configured with a standard layout that doesn’t apply on the ground floor. First floor apartments are an opportunity to have something different.

Let’s not forget that you get more space for your money. This apartment would easily be $4,000 or more just one flight up. So why pay more to walk up an extra flight of stairs when this first floor apartment is only $3650. That is a rhetorical question considering in this economic climate everyone is looking for a deal, and I say look at an even better deal right here. At least take a look, you might find your aversion to first floor living was imbedded in your brain long ago when you first moved to the city and your parents convinced you that east village crack heads that would come knocking on your door:) Well, to the dismay of many locals who remember when the Musical “RENT” was an accurate depiction of the local fare, the gentrification of the area actually makes the “RENT” scenario more of an anachronism.

You can view this listing here http://www.benjaminjames.com/index.cfm?page=details&id=66489

To Contact Pia Dubitsky you can call her @ (917) 882-6437 or email her @ pia[at]benjaminjames[dot]com

Ready for this season’s rental incentives?

Benjamin James Rental Agent Suzanne Belmont talks about this season’s rental incentive (deals) and a renter’s readiness.

Everybody knows Landlord incentives like free rent and paying broker fees has kept the New York City rental market going during the market decline of the past 16 months.  As fall sets in on Manhattan this year, landlords are getting prepared for a slower season.  The good news is incentives will remain for now, and in some cases they will be increased, just to keep tenants signing new leases as the market once again builds steam.

Anyone looking to rent in the fourth quarter of 2009 can expect some fair price negotiability, landlord paid broker fees – especially on high rise rental units, flexibility on occupancy dates, and maybe even free time as a motivator to induce new tenants to sign up in the cooler season. 

A softer marketplace doesn’t mean applicants don’t have to be prepared!  Landlords are acutely aware of people’s credit problems and employment issues, and because of the financial squeeze citywide, it is more important than ever for prospective renters to be ready with employment verification letters, pay stubs, most current bank statements and even landlord references to verify their good tenant history. 

Whether it is doorman buildings, walk ups, elevator apartment buildings, townhouse, brownstone, coop or condo, I can create a stress free and enjoyable experience because I am on the front lines of the residential market each and every day.  I will find you your best deal and your dream home!

To view Suzanne’s inventory please visit www.BenjaminJames.com or you can call her at 212-645-4477