Jury Duty Calls

So... Just when I thought my life would be getting back to normal soon, now that we are down to only 1 ( yes 1!) apartment at Columbia Commons - everything changed with a little thing called a jury summons. 

A couple of weeks ago I was "summoned" for jury duty. Sure enough, my name came out of that little bingo-esque twirly contraption not once ( as a potential juror for a specific case) but twice! - the second time resulted in me sitting in one of those very  uncomfortable juror chairs to be voir dire'd ( the legal term for being asked a lot of questions to see if I am someone both attorney's would accept as a juror on the case).

***Now a little background here - I have already served on criminal cases twice before. So, by now I know, if my name is called, and I wind up in that chair, I am pretty much going to be chosen. ( Why is it my name is never chosen to actually win something from all those raffle tickets I am forever buying each time I am asked?) And BINGO - sure enough, I am now I juror on this case. ( sorry, not allowed to disclose the deets - check back in a few weeks)   

And here is the best part (not) - The case is expected to last up to 6 weeks. Let me repeat that - SIX WEEKS!!! All of a sudden I have another job that I wasn't even looking for. (since it pays me all of $40 dollars a day, I can't say that I would ever be applying for such a job.)  But none the less I now spend every weekday ( except Thursday's when the judge has something else to do) in a courtroom, listening to testimony, while doing real estate (my real job) during breaks and lunch, and on Thursday's and weekends. 

So much for thinking I was getting back to spinning classes and regular gym workouts this month. Ugh! 

I did have a nice night out this week with the girls. We had dinner at the relatively new Beauty and Essex ( same owners as Stanton Social) - which I must say has just crept up the list to be one of my favorite dinner/lounge hang outs of the moment.  The food is very good ( drinks could be a little better) - the scene is nice - decor is excellent - and the best part free champagne in the lounge area of the ladies room! Ingenious! 

Here are a few shots from the inside:  

         

         

         Too bad the courthouse doesn't have free champagne in the ladies room!

Recent Real Deal Coverage - Columbia Commons

Columbia Commons was featured in the March 1st edition of the Real Deal. As the press lags a little behind when referring to numbers - the reality is we only have two apartments left! Here is what they had to say yesterday in their "Development Updates" column:

Cobble Hill 

Columbia Commons 

110 Warren Street 

The new condo, a joint venture of L+M Development Partners and the Urban Investment Group at Goldman Sachs, is now 88 percent sold after hitting the market in May 2010. Five units of between 609 and 848 square feet now remain up for grabs, with prices ranging from $399,000 to $650,000. The two-building complex has a shared courtyard, roof deck, fitness room and underground parking garage. Halstead Property Development Marketing is the agent. Contact: www.columbiacommonsbk.com. 

February Heym Report

Click on the title of this post to check out the recent edition of the Heym Report created by Halstead Properties chief economist. In it he discusses Wall Street bonuses, recent  mortgage rate trends, and job growth in NYC. All of which, have a direct effect my favorite subject - Manhattan Real Estate! 

Starting to feel almost like real me again- thanks to Curacao

So - for many of you know me, one of my most favorite things on earth is travel. I have been to many, many places already including India, Iceland, Thailand, most of Europe, Argentina ( several times - BA is my second favorite city after New York) Chile, Brazil, Costa Rica, almost the entire Caribbean, China, and more. 

Due to hip surgery in November 09 and my non stop work schedule since, I am very sad to say that I have not taken any "real trips" since shortly before then when I spent a week in Guatemala. BUT - Now that my current development is almost sold out and I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, the travel planning has begun! 

First up - I have always wanted to learn to Scuba Dive. It was actually on my New Year's resolution list this year - so for Memorial Day weekend, I will be doing just that - in Curacao! I figured it was a sign from the travel gods when exactly a day after spending several hours searching Expedia, Orbitz, and many other travel sites, a Curacao special popped into my inbox. With a $400.00 savings on hotel and air, a $200 food and beverage credit, and a free dive being part of the deal, I couldn't resist. 

So now I am booked at the Hyatt Regency which you can see more of here: http://curacao.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp?extCorporateId=

I am all tingly, and can't wait!!!!

But if you need me to sell any real estate before then... 

Almost sold out at Columbia Commons means more time to Blog!

Hello Friends: 

Once again time has passed with all good intentions to update this blog more regularly - but alas the wide world of NYC real estate always comes first. I am very pleased to announce that we are down to our last two apartments at Columbia Commons located in the Columbia Street Waterfront District -  steps away from the new Brooklyn Bridge Park as well as Court and Smith Streets with all their fabulous retail and restaurants. Last week, I checked our Char 4 ( pic above) on Smith Street and found it's BBQ/Southern Style dishes very yummy - especially the corn flake encrusted crab cake! When you are in the neighborhood - check it out: http://www.charno4.com/v1/

From Today's NY Post - More on Columbia Commons

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/realestate/residential/express_youself_68I1U5X4vd9TPIyQALIR8L

Columbia Commons is more than 60% sold!

Where have I been - you may be asking yourself?

The answer- knee deep in sales at our development in the Columbia Street Waterfront District of Brooklyn. Since opening in mid May - we are now over 60 percent sold  - and closing in fast on 65%- which is a great pace for a new development in this market.

We have had a fabulous response to all aspects of CC. Buyers have fallen in love with our wide plank oak floors ( imported from Holland) and quartzite counter tops, as well as the thought out floor plans which allow for very usable square  footage and practically no wasted space. Even our counter tops are extended and left open underneath which makes them an option to eat around, and saves the need for a dining table.

Amenities include a common roof deck, fitness room, bike storage, parking, a virtual lobby attendant ,and a  landscaped courtyard with seating. Nearby trendy restaurants and shopping ( I am talking about you - new Barney's co-op!) have made this area - the "new hip place to call home" according to the NY Post.

Click on the link in the title to find out more about the remaining homes at Columbia Commons.