Refer A Friend

Recently I have been thinking about the power of referrals. In my travels I am often amazed the many ethnic groups freely give referrals to their friends. "You should try my Doctor, they are excellent" or "My realtor found me a great apartment - let me give you his number," or "You get great clothes from my designer." I am fortunate to have a few friends that appreciate my work ethic and have referred me to friends and associates in the entertainment business and real estate.

In over the 15 years of being in the real estate business unfortunately only a handful of African Americans have given referrals to me yet my other clients and customers from other ethnic groups freely give my name to friends and family. I wonder why this is. At first I thought it was just me but recently I have been hearing more and more reports of the same thing. Two weeks ago I was speaking with a young black man who was living in a foreign country for the last six years. He started a very powerful business in Europe and was bringing it over to the US. He explained how frustrated he was with his people that they didn't seem to want to help him yet those from other groups welcomed him with open arms. Unfortunately, I didn't have an answer for him.

It is my hope that this trend can be turned around. Here is some steps to accomplish this.

• Listen to the stories of your friends


• If you believe they are talented refer a friend


• Be proud to know that by referring a competent individual you are saving both time and often money.


• Let people know what you do

Sharing resources is what made this country great. It got us through slavery and segregation. All referrals are great but it is always nice to know that your people have your back also.

Housing Our Dream Seminar

Thinking about how you can buy instead of rent. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to hear from the best. Real Estate professionals will be at this seminar to speak about how you can own a home or apartment. I will be there speaking about "Working with Brokers" also speaking will be a real estate attorney, mortgage bankers, recent homeowners, credit specialist and more.

If you live in NYC don't miss this one. It's free. Get there early because this is in the State Office Building. President Clinton works there so security is tight.

You too can live your dream. Do something about it today.

Presented by Community Board 10
Thursday - March 15, 2007 at 6:30PM
Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Building
163 W. 125th St - Gallery - 2nd Floor

What's New for the New Year

Every year I take time out to reflect upon the past year and plan for the new one. 2006 has proven to be a year of transition. In 2006,

• I moved from Brooklyn to Harlem after 6 years. Learning my new neighborhood has been an interesting experience and one that I continue to explore.
• My true friends have supported me like never before. I thank them all.
• After two international events in one year it has become clear that I need to change direction. Producing events has always been a challenge but doing them on an international scale has proven to be more work than it's worth to me and my partner. Hopefully those that attended but DIHII and the event in Bahia had a wonderful time.
• The real estate business in NYC is in transition. It is changing from a seller's market to one where the buyers have many choices and can negotiate terms like never before. For those that have thought of buying their first home or upgrading to a bigger place, now is an excellent time to start looking.
• I now work out of the Downtown office and the Harlem office. It's nice to have two homes.
• Hosted my family for a long vacation in the new apartment. It's always good to be with family to know what is really important in life.

For 2007

• I look forward to peace in the world.
• The troops coming home.
• Good health and prosperity.
• Increasing my real estate sales and servicing not only the celebrity clients but making a serious effort to help more first time homebuyers that don't realize that they also can have a part of the American dream.
• Developing the talents of SoundPerfected and getting them a deal.
• Developing two new websites that will launch in early 2007 that we hope will fill the needs of underserved markets. Stay tuned.
• Continue to raise money for the orphans of La Casa Rosada Orphanage, CAASAH orphange and the Batey Relief alliance.

I wish you all the best. May the new year bring you only the best of things.

Friday Here...and?

In my line of work the weekend is just another day. I work all the time. As an entrepreneur thats what you better do if you want to eat. Well today was great because we got two offers on the most recent property we listed.

Now, this is where the fun begins..negotiating the price and the terms. The world of real estate is ever changing. In the 15 years I have been in real estate I have witnessed the buyers market and the sellers market. Right now we are in transition from the sellers to the buyers but property still isn't cheap. This beautiful West Village two bedroom pre-war apartment is on the market for $1.3 million dollars. It is great to have people fighting over it. If you have some extra cash laying around, now is a great time to buy.