You are here:
- Home
- Real Estate
- Real Estate by Location
- Real Estate: New York
Real Estate: New York/Questions Answered by Expert Mark Shemel
| Subject | Date Asked |
| EST OPS | 1/26/2012 |
| Q: I am looking to lease a commercial office space. I was looking through listings attempting to ... A: I'm sorry for the delayed response, I just got out of a double hernia surgery and have been in my ... | |
| Janitors Union Vs. Board of Directors | 1/16/2012 |
| Q: Our handyman was promoted to 2nd in command superintendent and was offered a co-op on the premises. ... A: As this is a coop, I think the decision about whether to compensate him for not living at the ... | |
| tribeca loft space | 12/24/2011 |
| Q: Any estimates would be welcome. Thanks A: I don't have much information about the building from what you tell me. If I knew the address, I ... | |
| Utility Easement | 12/15/2011 |
| Q: I live in a 6 story walk up and we have a Verizon panel in our basement making us the hub for our ... A: If your building is a condo or coop and you are the owners of it, you would be within your rights to ... | |
| tenant foreclosure ? | 11/8/2011 |
| Q: I have recently received a foreclosure notice and summons from the sheriff stating the apartment I ... A: If you have not been contacted by a bank, receiver, or any other individual, it is likely that ... | |
| tenant foreclosure ? | 11/8/2011 |
| Q: I have recently received a foreclosure notice and summons from the sheriff stating the apartment I ... A: I see situations like this all the time. Even if a landlord is in default, they are still in ... | |
| COOP Conflict of Interest | 11/4/2011 |
| Q: A handy-man in my co-op started has stated a private contracting business. He works for the co-op, ... A: Technically, there is a conflict of interests. However, that does not mean you can really do ... | |
| apartments and organizations | 8/2/2011 |
| Q: I was reading your last question on apartment challenges I was wondering what organizations are ... A: For the first part of the question, there are many organizations, but it depends on what your needs ... | |
| Apartment challenges | 7/20/2011 |
| Q: This situation happened to my brother before similarly.Basement apartment as you may know are common ... A: Jose, First, you want to see if your apartment is in fact illegal. The following are things that ... | |
| problems with apartment | 7/16/2011 |
| Q: Our building has gone into foreclosure and it has been taken over by the Receiver who in turn has a ... A: Although I have answered this before, I will tell you some things. It is important to remember that ... | |
| Property Encroachment | 5/31/2011 |
| Q: My house in Brooklyn has a cinder block wall on the property line in my back yard. My neighbors yard ... A: Your neighbor is 100% responsible for fixing this problem. Being at a higher elevation, it was his ... | |
| Buying hoouse with section 8 tenants | 2/2/2011 |
| Q: What are the pros and con of this. I will appreciate your answer A: I have had a lot of experience with section 8 tenants as an owner myself of properties where section ... | |
| being asked to leave | 1/31/2011 |
| Q: My relatives dont have a written lease in a place they have lived in for 15 years and my brother is ... A: I'm sorry for the delayed answer, I have been out of work sick this week and am only just getting ... | |
| breaking lease during foreclosure proceedings part II. | 1/21/2011 |
| Q: I contacted you after reading your correspondence with a tenant whose problem was somewhat similar ... A: Sorry for my delayed response. I have been quite busy these past few days. Well it certainly seems ... | |
| Buying a sponsor condo unit | 1/13/2011 |
| Q: I read your response, and would like to follow up regarding the Tempo 300 condo in Manhattan. Do ... A: The Tempo has been a rough ride, they are about 1.5 years behind schedule. The sales reps at the ... | |
| heat and hot water problems | 1/11/2011 |
| Q: Our building is now in recievership and the bank is now in custody of the building we are great ... A: Nothing has to be in the lease, though sometimes there are protection clauses. If you signed a new ... | |
| heat and hot water problems | 1/8/2011 |
| Q: Our building is now in recievership and the bank is now in custody of the building we are great ... A: I should be able to help you. I will need the following information to better assist you. Where is ... | |
| risks in new condo purchase | 12/10/2010 |
| Q: Please comment on the various risks in purchasing a NYC condo apartment in a new, vacant building ... A: Mike, It would be a lot more helpful if I had the address. We keep a database of properties here, ... | |
| lease lengths in NYC for retail space | 11/28/2010 |
| Q: I am looking to open a bar/restaurant in Manhattan/Brooklyn area. My questions are these: How long ... A: First of all, I will say that I don't think using a web site as a source for NYC leasing issues will ... | |
| landlord/tenant new jersey | 11/26/2010 |
| Q: I rented an apartment in a two family home and signed a one year lease. My landlord does not live ... A: Ok, lets first assume that your first issue is either resolved or in the process of being resolved. ... | |
| landlord/tenant new jersey | 11/26/2010 |
| Q: I rented an apartment in a two family home and signed a one year lease. My landlord does not live ... A: Bernadette, While your smoking may violate the warrant of habitability for the upstairs tenants, ... | |
| noisy coop | 11/17/2010 |
| Q: I am the owner of a studio on the first floor, where I have lived for 20 years. The coop was built ... A: Martha, In my experience with coops, there is very little that 311 can do for you if the noise is ... | |
| noisy coop | 11/17/2010 |
| Q: I am the owner of a studio on the first floor, where I have lived for 20 years. The coop was built ... A: You certainly should not be treated in such a way. First of all, a horn like noise coming out of ... | |
| Lease Termination by Tenant due to Foreclosure | 11/4/2010 |
| Q: I read your Q&A Session with Patrick, and my situation is very similar. I live in Prospect Heights ... A: I'm sorry I didn't see the follow up here. Well, I do agree that you should speak to a lawyer about ... | |
| Lease Termination by Tenant due to Foreclosure | 11/3/2010 |
| Q: I read your Q&A Session with Patrick, and my situation is very similar. I live in Prospect Heights ... A: You seem to have yourself a difficult situation. That clause you quoted me, I'm not entirely ... | |
| housing | 9/2/2010 |
| Q: what is the best way for someone to get the most affordable housing oppurtunities in NYc?Is tit word ... A: There are a number of projects that have 80/20 set ups that are not in projects or inner city ... | |
| housing | 8/31/2010 |
| Q: what is the best way for someone to get the most affordable housing oppurtunities in NYc?Is tit word ... A: Nestor, It looks like you are looking for a rent to own scenario, but I cannot determine whether ... | |
| pre-war buildings | 7/19/2010 |
| Q: Are most or all pre-war buildings on the Upper East Side located on Park and Fifth Avenues? Thanks A: There are many well known prewar buildings on Park and Fifth Avenue, but I wouldn't say that most of ... | |
| Foreclosure in Brooklyn | 7/6/2010 |
| Q: I signed a lease for an apartment in Crown Heights in May with an person who runs two separate LLCs, ... A: A lawyer is always good. A law grad can take care of this for you at a reasonable price. I will ... | |
| Foreclosure in Brooklyn | 7/5/2010 |
| Q: I signed a lease for an apartment in Crown Heights in May with an person who runs two separate LLCs, ... A: It sounds like you are having a difficult time with this apartment. As I said before, because this ... | |
| Foreclosure in Brooklyn | 7/4/2010 |
| Q: I signed a lease for an apartment in Crown Heights in May with an person who runs two separate LLCs, ... A: Well lets start with the LLC issue you are concerned about. It does not matter which LLC you signed ... | |
| Foreclosure | 6/10/2010 |
| Q: I live in the Bronx and yesterday I found paperwork on my doorstep notifying me that my apartment ... A: Crystal, The answer to this depends on whether or not the owner is still the owner. In other ... | |
| questions about renting | 5/27/2010 |
| Q: Are renters ever allowed to make any changes to their apartment beyond paint color if they pay for ... A: Danielle, This is really a case by case basis. You need to check with your landlord. Some ... | |
| air conditioning | 4/22/2010 |
| Q: I have a question about air conditioner units in apartments. If there is a window unit currently ... A: I'm sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. Air condition systems are always tricky. Older ... | |
| Assessment on Condo unit | 2/16/2010 |
| Q: I wanted to ask you a favor. I received a letter from the management company saying that the Board ... A: Cristiano, Generally, condominium assessments must be paid by the unit owners. Some owners will ... | |
| New York apartment buildings | 2/14/2010 |
| Q: I'm not sure if you can answer this or not, but I have a question about the sound in New York ... A: Danielle, This is actually an interesting question, and something that I take great interest is ... | |
| Breaking lease due to noise--does warranty of habitablity cover this? | 2/8/2010 |
| Q: I am currently trying to break my lease in an apartment building. The lease runs through September, ... A: Shauna, The Warrant of Habitability does indeed cover this. However, the extent to which is ... | |
| Noisy Landlord | 12/30/2009 |
| Q: We recently began renting an apartment in a private home in Queens in October. Our landlord lives on ... A: Jess, Unfortunately, there is little you can do in these situations. You could take a chance and ... | |
| Easements | 12/30/2009 |
| Q: My parents have a property in Nassau county. They are looking into if they have a utility easement ... A: Steph, Though I generally would defer this question to another expert with more Nassau County ... | |
| Noisy Landlord | 12/29/2009 |
| Q: We recently began renting an apartment in a private home in Queens in October. Our landlord lives on ... A: Jess, First of all, I think its really a shame that the landlord had to put you through this ... | |
| construction dispute | 12/21/2009 |
| Q: In May we had a bathroom remodeled. We paid $7000 to have the contractor start. He walked off the ... A: If his time period has elapsed, I would still consult an attorney to see if this contractor has any ... | |
| construction dispute | 12/15/2009 |
| Q: In May we had a bathroom remodeled. We paid $7000 to have the contractor start. He walked off the ... A: Bob, First of all, I want you to know that I have had personal experiences with this outside the ... | |
| removing a joint owners name from a co-op deed? | 12/10/2009 |
| Q: Can you tell me what the process is on removing a joint owners name from a co-op deed?The joint ... A: Steve, Well, I would say that this is a difficult thing to do. First of all, if you are referring ... | |
| condo sub-lets | 12/8/2009 |
| Q: What regulatory restrictions (city-wide, local zoning, building rules) could prevent us from renting ... A: Jay, It is interesting that you ask me this question as my company manages several short term ... | |
| Long Term Care (LTC) | 11/12/2009 |
| Q: Q:Is it possible for out of state company to own or manage a Nursing Home Facility, or Assisted ... A: Stefan, While this is generally not the area of expertise that I can guaranty with 100% certainty, ... | |
| COOP Sublet Denial | 10/15/2009 |
| Q: I am trying to rent out my studio (coop, in Brooklyn). I found a person who would like to rent my ... A: Vadim, Let's look at your situation first. Let's rule out a few things. I don't think that ... | |
| common charges/taxes | 9/20/2009 |
| Q: When the listing price of a condo is lowered, are the common charges and taxes lowered too? Thanks A: If the listing price is lowered, the common charges and taxes will generally stay the same or even ... | |
| buying a condo | 9/15/2009 |
| Q: I recently asked you some questions regarding the purchasing and approval process for condos in ... A: It is completely possible. In order to move kitchens and bathrooms you need to shut the building ... | |
| Renter's rights during a foreclosure | 9/14/2009 |
| Q: We are renting a house in Wetchester County, and the landlord is not paying his mortgage on the ... A: I'm sorry to hear of your situation. Foreclosures can generally be quite trying situations for ... | |
| buying a condo | 9/14/2009 |
| Q: I recently asked you some questions regarding the purchasing and approval process for condos in ... A: Usually it is ok to do renovations in a prewar condominium. However, you should check with the ... | |
| buying a condo | 9/13/2009 |
| Q: I recently asked you some questions regarding the purchasing and approval process for condos in ... A: Usually, if there are enough apartments in the building, the unit owners could afford it. But like ... | |
| Condo Approval | 9/11/2009 |
| Q: Can you tell me what the typical process is for being approved by a co-op board in Manhattan? Does ... A: While the right may exist to interview you, the likelihood that they exercise that right is slim to ... | |
| Condo Approval | 9/9/2009 |
| Q: Can you tell me what the typical process is for being approved by a co-op board in Manhattan? Does ... A: Danielle, Sorry I did not get back to you on this sooner. I did not see the follow up question. ... | |
| prices. | 9/9/2009 |
| Q: Where in new york are the cheapest apartments? A: The cheapest apartments can be anywhere. That is assuming that it is rent controlled. The only way ... | |
| co-op boards | 9/8/2009 |
| Q: Can you tell me what the typical process is for being approved by a co-op board in Manhattan? Does ... A: Danielle, Unfortunately, in most cases it does not matter whether or not you are paying for the ... | |
Real Estate: New York
Answers by Expert:
Mark Shemel
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I believe I can answer questions in the following sub categories with respect to New York City: Residential Brokerage, Landlord Tenant disputes, Any type of lease questions, any definition pertaining to residential real estate, any questions about property management, most questions about development, construction codes, and housing laws, questions about Section 8, HPD and government sponsored housing. Also corporate and short term housing questions.
Experience
I am currently the President of Think Properties NYC, a residential brokerage firm in New York City. I am also President of National Property Management Group. We manage over 1000 Residential Units and 50 retail/commercial units, generally as tax payers or part of mixed use buildings. We handle project management, marketing, and rentals/sales of new construction properties as well.
Organizations
The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), Boutique Brokerage Firm Alliance (President)
Publications
New York Times, Real Estate Weekly, Wikipedia, Wiki-answers
Education/Credentials
Undergrad: Union College
Degree: Bachelors Degree, Double Major Economics/French
Graduate: New York University
Degree: Masters of Science, Masters in Real Estate Development
Licensed Real Estate Broker in State of New York
Awards and Honors
Undergrad: Phi Beta Kappa, National Honor Society, Magna Cum Laude
Past/Present Clients
Oakwood Worldwide, JP Morgan Chase (for Relocation), and several other firms.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.