by Chiara Spagnoli Gabardi

Vivaldi Real Estate is one of the first companies to assist Italian investors in Manhattan and has so far played a major role in defining and establishing a major world market. Co-founder, Guido Pompilj, civil engineer with a Masters in Business Administration at Columbia University, is the captain of a talented and diversified crew. On board are Eve Gittelson, cofounder of Vivaldi Real Estate, the young brokers Andrew Brenta, Piero Massimino and Gerardo Nobile; Luca Burato who deals with property management; collaborators Masa Ma and Helen Toscano; as well as Emiko Hayashi in charge of administration.

All the people working at Vivaldi Real Estate have an exceptional cultural preparation, great language skills, unconventional passions and a great care in selecting the deals for clients, with punctilious attention to details. Furthermore they are always attentive to the new trends of the real estate market, to anticipate the most convenient purchases for their clients. But ever since Vivaldi’s foundation in 1992 the rules of the game have changed.

To put it in Bob Dylan’s words “The Times They Are A-Changing” also in the world of New York’s real estate market. For example if in the past Manhattan was the “Borough To Be” now Brooklyn is the new chic. “Location, Location, Location” have always been the three determining factors to invest in real estate and if Park Avenue used to be the top-notch spot on the map – where prices would never fall – today, unless the building is of high luxury, Park Avenue seems to have lost part of its gloss.

Nevertheless New York City in general still remains a safe investment, especially for those countries whose currency is stronger than the dollar. Even more if the goal is to buy and resell. The current trend focuses on the development of new buildings and Vivaldi Real Estate selects high quality projects that offer low risk and a 100% opportunity of investment in the course of four years. To vouch the reliability of their work, Vivaldi demands for its commission only on the completion of the set goals.

The Brooklyn area that is close to Manhattan has become increasingly popular, for those who wanted more space, higher quality and more reasonable rates. This area includes Williamsburg, Dumbo, Clinton Hill and Park Slope, whose prices have now grown closer to those in Manhattan. If you invested in these neighborhoods eight years ago today you’ll find yourself with a pot of gold. So where is the location worth investing in today, that will become tomorrow’s hot spot? Vivaldi answers: Crown Heights. Nowadays with $800,000 you may buy an independent brownstone that can fit two families, that includes a private garden; or a two bedroom apartment with a large terrace in a building. Both options come with reasonable maintenance prices. You have Prospect Park nearby and if you want to go to Manhattan all you need to do is hop on the 2,3,4 or 5 train.

Bedford Stuivesant, close to the popular Williamsburgh, is progressively becoming gentrified, so that is another area to grasp before the prices hit the roof. But if like Woody Allen you are romantically and indissolubly bonded to Manhattan, the place where you’ll find bargain opportunities is the Lower East Side close to Chinatown, around Seward Park, where 1000 apartments are in the works with over 25,000 square metres of offices. No matter the time (the place stays: the Big Apple) Vivaldi always knows what is best to invest in real estate.