Laura T. Spagnolo, SRES

Associate Broker & Senior Real Estate Specialist

About Me

Laura T. Spagnolo helps make dreams come true. Laura has been a licensed real estate agent 1996 and became a broker in 2005. She is a part of Re/Max Metro has been awarded Seniors Real Estate Specialist or SRES, which she now specializes in. She tells us that it is this area that gives her the most satisfaction because she enjoys dealing with multiple generations. Specializing mainly in residential homes, condos, and co-op apartments, Laura likes to handle multi-family and mixed use properties, and estates. Although she specializes in Seniors Real Estate, she has always worked with all types of clients, first-timers, resales, and much more. Laura takes continuing education courses and attends lectures to keep her license active and to obtain valuable information for the “ever evolving real estate market” and has recently been taking classes on foreclosure auctions.

For a number of years, Laura had numerous jewelry stores in Brooklyn and loved dealing with people on a personal level. After she had her children, she was no longer able to keep the stores and quickly started missing interacting with people. Laura also missed the satisfaction she got from helping people find what they were looking for. It was this longing that led Laura into the real estate business, where she couldn’t be happier. When asked what her favorite part of being a real estate agent was, Laura responded: “I really can’t pin it down to one favorite part. I like educating those clients that have never been involved in buying or selling. I like negotiating a good deal. I like when I see that I’ve provided a level of comfort to a seller who is elderly, and can no longer safely live alone. There are a lot of children who are concerned for an older parent’s security and it is not always possible for them to be there during showings.”

The most challenging part of buying or selling in today’s market, according to Laura Spagnolo, is killing the notion that people are only selling due to financial distress. She tells us that although this is certainly a big issue for some sellers, it is certainly not true for every one. Laura recommends that a first time homebuyer needs to sit down with a good financial adviser and be completely open about their circumstances and what they can really afford. “Many first time buyers don’t take the time to go beyond an initial pre-qualification. They should look also at what they are planning in their lives. One example would be, if you’re planning on starting a family, and both spouses are currently working, will they be able to afford what they are purchasing if one spouse is no longer able to work. The second most important thing, when they find something they like, get a home inspection, know what you might expect down the road regarding repairs, etc.” Laura works with both Brooklyn and Staten Island markets and tells us that in Brooklyn prices have corrected and are holding up well. Properties there are selling. Staten Island is proving to be more challenging. “Many houses on the market are distress sales; prices are down and stay on the market longer.” Laura enjoys the appreciation clients show her when a deal is done and greatly appreciates when clients send you a referral.

Laura Spagnolo was born and raised in Brooklyn and continues to raise her two sons there today. She tells us that Brooklyn and Staten Island have some really wonderful attractions. “In Coney Island, we have the amusement area, the world famous Cyclone… wooden rollercoaster, and the Wonderwheel, and of course there’s Nathan’s, and Key Span Park, where the Brooklyn Cyclones are located. There are miles of beaches and boardwalks. Sheepshead Bay has fishing boats, and dinner boats. There’s horseback riding in Jamaica Bay. We have Prospect Park, Dyker Beach Park and Golf Course, and Owls Head Park complete with a Skateboard Park for the bmx biker or skateboarder in your family. We also have indoor and outdoor Ice Skating Rinks, multi-plex cinemas. Let’s not forget the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens or the Staten Island Zoo (they have one of the best reptile houses around) and the Coney Island Aquarium. There is literally something for everyone. There’s the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Grand Army Plaza library, and the Brooklyn Museum. We even have Greenwood Cemetary, a national historic landmark. There are some very famous people buried there and the cemetery has Trolley Tours and other events.” Brooklyn and Staten Island offer convenience and affordability. Brooklyn is just a train ride away from Manhattan and offers luxury condominiums with every amenity you could find in Manhattan. As Laura says “I couldn’t come up with reasons not to relocate here.” As for Staten Island, Laura tells us that it is also conveniently located to New Jersey and Manhattan. “Right now, there are some great housing opportunities in Staten Island and the property taxes are much lower than New Jersey. The Staten Island Ferry will leave you at Battery Park in Manhattan, and there are express buses that run all day.”

Dedicated to her work, Laura believes that real estate is about helping people and not about selling houses. “Yes, they are buying or selling property, and that is the final objective, but how you get there makes all the difference to the people you are working with.” She listens to the needs of her clients and walks them through the entire process, educating them and helping them make sound decisions. Laura works to make people’s housing dreams become reality.

In order to contact Laura Spagnolo, please use the following information:

Re/Max Metro - 9504 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11209

Re/Max Metro 585 No. Gannon Avenue, Staten Island, NY

Direct # 917-325-1439

Direct Fax # 347-673-8740

e-mail: lausline@aol.com