Monthly Archives: September 2011

Our First 12 Months at Brennan Realty Services

At Brennan Realty we pride ourselves on delivering the best customer service to everyone that we come in contact with. Yes, we’re a small firm, but that doesn’t equate to less exposure or capability; it means that we’re able to give our clients the undivided attention they deserve. We’ll sit down with each client that comes through our door and take time to understand their needs. With all available technology at our disposal we can generate as much exposure for our selling clients as the larger firms and see the all properties that may match up with our buyer client’s needs. We have time and again proven measurable results for not only the houses we sell, but also to all of our buy side clients.

Take a look at our track record. Over the past twelve months we have sold, bought and rented real estate for many satisfied clients. Below are examples of some of the deals that we made happen; in addition to these transactions we’ve also provided consultation services for people looking to renovate their homes or buy multi-family investment properties.

Sell Side:

36 Cambridge Place, Clinton Hill, Brooklyn
3,328 sq ft, 2-family, semi-detached townhouse
Closed September 2011
This 19th century townhouse is located on one of the most desirable blocks in Clinton Hill; it was lovingly restored and meticulously maintained. The property is a marketing success because we employed all our resources in making sure that this property was advertised to its fullest extent. Our marketing efforts generated multiple offers, which allowed us to deliver a buyer at a price that exceeded the expectations of our client.

39 Plaza Street West, 5A, Park Slope, Brooklyn
1,500 sq ft, 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, pre-war co-op
Closed September 2011
This is an elegant fifth floor Classic 6 with three exposures and an abundance of natural light and views. This Rosario Candela designed pre-war co-op is located in the heart of Park Slope. Walk just a few steps to Prospect Park, Grand Army Plaza, the Green Market and the 2/3/4 subway lines.

220 East 73rd Street, 3A, Upper East Side, Manhattan
1 bedroom, 1 bath, pre-war co-op
Closed December 2010
This is an elegant one bedroom co-op on a beautiful tree-lined Upper East Side block. The apartment was meticulously maintained and the new owners are enjoying the comfort and convenience of an oversized living room with room for dining, two large walk-in closets, entry foyer, windowed kitchen and bathroom, and courtyard view.

Buy Side:

40 Cambridge Place, Clinton Hill, Brooklyn
Closed September 2011
We had been working with this client since the spring of 2010. They brought significant knowledge and interest to the table in the pursuit of an opportunity to create their own custom home. Due to our success in marketing another Clinton Hill townhouse we got a first look at this “off market” deal. With patience and fortitude we were able to help our client acquire the project, which fit perfectly with their needs. We have strong relationships with many people in the real estate business here in Brooklyn so knowing about off market deals is something we use to our full advantage when it comes to helping clients find a home that is right for them.

1 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
Closed July 2011
This converted two bedroom was spacious and also included a private 500+ square foot patio that has plenty of room for outdoor entertaining. Closets and storage spaces are built in at every turn. The amenities include a full-time doorman, concierge, porters, on-site attended parking, meeting room, billiards room, children’s room, and direct access to a 30,000 square foot health club with indoor pool.

100 2nd Place, Carroll Gardens, Broooklyn
Closed February 2011
This three-bedroom and two-bathroom duplex condominium with a garden is located in Carroll Gardens. It is one of the best condo rehab projects in Carroll Gardens.

225 East 73rd Street, 4A, Upper East Side, Manhattan
Closed November 2010
We worked with our client to help them find the home of their dreams which they did with this two-bedroom pre-war home located in one of the Upper East Side’s most desirable buildings.

Rental:
Cobble Hill, Brooklyn
Move-in November 2010
This client was moving from New Jersey, she wanted to be closer to her job in midtown. We searched for many apartments for her and she eventually fell in love with a Cobble Hill apartment. It was an extra large one bedroom with the original detail and a working wood-burning fireplace.

Rental Listing:
441 Henry Street, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn
April 2011
This couple wanted to upgrade their space in Manhattan and wanted to move into Brooklyn. Unfamiliar with the different neighborhoods in Brooklyn, we explained the similarities and differences to them and now they are very happy living on the tree-lined streets of Cobble Hill.

441 Henry Street, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn
August 2011
This client was a Canadian native and had previously lived in Midtown, but wanted to move into Brooklyn.

At Brennan Realty Services are able to identify opportunities not apparent to the average broker and our clients are able to act quickly if the occasion should arise as we equip them with all the market knowledge they need to act with confidence.

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SOLD! 36 Cambridge Place, Clinton Hill


We’re very proud to announce that 36 Cambridge Place in Clinton Hill’s historic district has closed! After only 36 days on the market, this beautiful and unique property sold for $1,715,000, or $515 per square foot.

This beautiful 19th century two-family home was built in 1866 by John T. Barnard, in a French Second Empire style wood frame. Take a look at the genealogy report of 36 Cambridge Place.

This transaction was another marketing success for BRS and we’re very thankful that our clients entrusted us with selling their most prized asset – their home. We take pride in the fact that we’re a small firm as we believe that we are able to give our customers our undivided attention and the results speak for themselves.

When considering 11 other similar properties that were on the market at the same time we out performed our peer group by a mile. Average days on the market for the peer group was 66 days, we were on the market for only 36 days. The average discount of the closed sale price to the asking price for other brokers was -3.50%, we completed our deal at -0.58% discount to the asking price. And last but not least, on a price per square foot basis we sold the property for $515, which is a 5% premium over average sale price of the 11 other competing properties.

In summary, we helped our client sell their property in half the time it took brokers from the major borkerages to sell their client’s properties, we achieved the sale price that we recommended to our client and sold the property at a price above the average of the competitive set. Pretty nice results for our client if you ask me.

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Follow Donald as he makes his way through brownstone Brooklyn


Follow me on Twitter @Brennanrealty and get real time feedback when I am out looking at brownstone Brooklyn properties.

Also, you can get the inside scoop by “Liking” Brennan Realty Services on Facebook

Tap into Donald’s expertise as he attends open houses and gives his “2 Cents” about the Brooklyn Brownstone real estate market.

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My 2 Cents: Open House Feedback, Sunday 9/18

This past Sunday I previewed two townhouses located in Clinton Hill for my buyer clients. Not as many buyers out and about at these two addresses as there were at the two Cobble Hill properties I visited the previous Sunday but still a pretty strong turn out.

I previewed:

14 St James Place, Clinton Hill
2,392 sq ft approx, 14 ft wide, legal 2-family used as 1-family
Asking $1,759,000 or $735 per sq ft
New to market, 5 year old top to bottom reno

87 Cambridge Place, Clinton Hill
3,200 sq ft, 20 ft wide, 2-family
Asking $2,050,000 or $640 per sq ft
New to market, renovated kitchen and baths in primary triplex.
Listing broker says strong interest.

If you are in the market and have questions about these or any other property give me a call and I will share with you my thoughts on value, rehabilitation potential, estimated costs for improvements, etc.

Check back here for more in-depth analysis of each of these properties.
For additional “My 2 Cents” columns, click here.

Donald Brennan
(c) 917-568-6525 (e) dbrennan@brennanrealtyservices.com

Follow me on Twitter @Brennanrealty and get real time feedback from me when I am out looking at properties.

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My 2 Cents: Open House Feedback

This past Sunday I previewed three townhouses for my buyer clients. Heading into the fall the real estate market traditionally becomes more active and the buyer demand appears to have picked up where it left off before summer began. The optimism that was so present in the spring still prevails; despite economic fluctuations people are still buying, selling and renting. Foot traffic was mixed. There was a strong turn-out for two of the homes I looked at and less interest in the third, 82A Douglass Street. There were a lot of young couples with newborns and toddlers in tow.

I previewed:

177 Warren Street, Cobble Hill
3,360 sq ft, 21 ft wide, 3-family
Asking $2,100,000 or $625 per sq ft
New to market, delivered vacant
Out of the three properties I would consider this as having the most potential.

82A Douglass Street, Boerum Hill
1,732 sq ft, 16 ft wide, 2-family
Asking $1,295,000 or $748 per sq ft
130 days on the market, delivered vacant

331 DeGraw Street, Cobble Hill

2,180 sq ft, 20 ft wide, 2-family
Asking $1,200,000 or $550 per sq ft
New to market, delivered with tenant in place at lower duplex with lease thru 8/2013.

If you are in the market and have questions about these or any other property give me a call and I will share with you my thoughts on value, rehabilitation potential, estimated costs for improvements, etc.

Check back here for more in-depth analysis of each of these properties.
For additional “My 2 Cents” columns, click here.

Donald Brennan
(c) 917-568-6525 (e) dbrennan@brennanrealtyservices.com

Follow me on Twitter @Brennanrealty and get real time feedback from me when I am out looking at properties.

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36 Cambridge Place: A Marketing Success

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Meet Donald Brennan

Meet Donald Brennan from Brennan Realty Services on Vimeo.

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