Nicole's review in April 2018 says it better than I ever could. If you are thinking of shopping for an attorney, don't! There are cheaper, but John ends up saving you money! I called John in 2017 for a purchase in 2017 and his fee was $3,250. I was selling a property in Staten Island, so I used someone the broker recommended. By the time I got done, it was almost $5,000 because I was charged extra for doing a 1031 exchange, charged extra because the closing took 2.5 hours and the attorney had in his agreement an extra fee if it goes over 90 minutes. So, I went back to John with an apology when I purchased the replacement property and he performed flawlessly. His assistants were cheerful and helpful, and most of the time he picked up the phone, but if not, it seemed like he called back in 2 minutes. I just finished another transaction with him and he is the real deal. It isn't the fee. He handles everything, makes jokes that take away your stress, and is just a gentleman. John is the perfect example of you get what you pay for. When you work with him, you work with him. I did not get legal advice from a receptionist, or have to talk to a paralegal because he was "busy". Very impressive and worth every penny.

Positively amazing communication and expert advice. John is as hands on and interactive as can be. When I spoke to his assistant, she was friendly and helpful. But John gave me his cell number and most times I would text or call to instantaneous assistance and cooperation. John answered all my questions and helped me throughout my transaction to relax my fears and anxiety as someone moving from CA to NY might. If I called at 5:30 am, it was 8:30 in NYC and John would usually answer. If I called on a Saturday, he would answer. He sent me a closing statement 3 days ahead of time and I knew what was happening before I got there. He reviewed everything with me, and the closing was a breeze. I do not know how I could recommend anyone higher.

I hired John Crane to handle the legal aspects of the recent sale of my parents' home. Since this was a long-distance transaction (I live in California, and my parents are in New York), it was especially important to have a reliable and responsive attorney. John was terrific--on top of the details, always happy to answer questions, a real advocate for our interests, and helped us navigate through a few tough issues. He was great at getting back to me in a timely manner, and always called or wrote back quickly--even with the time difference! This all gave us great comfort and confidence through the hard moments that inevitably come up during a sale, especially one as difficult as the sale of an elderly parent's home. I'm so appreciative of John's work and care. You'd be smart to hire him.

John is simply an outstanding attorney and I am relieved to have made the decision to hire him before other attorneys. From the beginning John was genuinely invested in understanding how to best represent me vs simply making a quick buck. Right away, John gave me the impression that my legal needs were going to be meet by someone with the right level of experience, but with a healthy touch of person-ability. When it's time to get an understanding in casual terms, he will explain things to you as if you were having a simply talk with a friend about sports at a barbecue; and when it's time to have the right representation and have someone side with you when facing other attorneys, he will show you his worth in every penny with strength and conviction. I am happy to have had John in my corner, and look forward to working with him again in the future.

I had already moved out of NYC when I got an accepted offer on my condo. I read the reviews of John and figured I would call. I asked him what his fee was and he said "that is really probably the least important question you could ask" and he was right. John proceeded to explain that he could save me money because I could give him power of attorney and not have to fly back for the closing. He also asked my plans for the money. I had the fake sales attitude up and said "why is that any of your business" and I got a 20 minute education that probably saved me 350,000 in taxes! Do not do what I did and look for a cheap attorney! All real estate attorneys are not the same. Despite my stupid questions, John patiently explained a 1031 exchange when I told him I would probably invest the money in a property in Nevada where I moved. John set up a conference call with my financial advisor and I and brilliantly explained how I could pay a little tax on money I wanted to keep liquid and invest the rest in a 1031 and defer the bulk of the capital gains tax until some time in the future. As a cpa, I knew about 1031's but didn't want to deal with tenants. John listened to me say I walk with a walker and patiently suggested a professional property manager and everything just clicked. He handled everything from start to finish and I was updated with every occurrence. Both he and his staff were absolutely professional and John wired money to my bank and the rest to the 1031 company so that everything was ready for my Nevada purchase. I have already referred my best friend and her son and will continue to send everyone in NY that I know that says they are buying or selling. I paid John $3,500 and honestly his service was worth double. When I told him I couldn't walk too good and my mailbox was at the end of the driveway, he sent everything by Fed Ex directly to my door. His service was really that exceptional!

John helped me through the process of purchasing my first home in New York City, which can be a very confusing and overwhelming process. I was anxious, but he was there with me every step of the way to be sure it went smoothly and to be sure that I understood. He is extremely thorough and responsive, and he helped me get the best outcome. It was a pleasure to work with him and his entire team. I am SO grateful that I found him, and I would definitely work with him again. Thanks John!

John was so helpful during the purchase of my condo investment property. I've heard the saying, "What separates a good attorney from a bad attorney? A good attorney answers their phone." This could not be more true. Being my first real estate investment property I had specific questions about resale, taxes, zoning, 1031, etc and John was able to field them all or point me in the right direction. Look forward to working together again soon.

The reason why we decided to use John's services in purchasing our first home was the initial phone conversation. We were calling to ask for his quote and it turned into a 30 minute conversation about the entire home buying experience. That level of detail and taking the time out for potential clients spoke volumes. John and his office were great throughout the entire process and kept us updated every step of the way!

All I can say is working with John is like going to the spa. You end up so relaxed! I called John's office, asked to speak with him, and his assistant put me on hold for about 10 seconds. A male picks up the phone and with a raspy type voice says "this is John Crane, how can I help you?" I then got to explain to him that I was selling a condo on the upper west side that I had not been living in for the last couple of years and was going to buy something else. Without hesitating, John asked if I had ever heard of a 1031 exchange, explained it to me, and had me motivated to purchase not only one, but two additional units so that I could have a primary and rental income. John then explained his process and how he was different, mentioning how he frequently closes for people overseas by Power of Attorney so that I did not have to worry about coming back for the closing. He even made a joke about how I would save more on airfare than he would charge in fees...which turned out to be true! Simply put, John kept me informed at every step of the way. He has an instinct (or maybe it is 20 years experience) in that every email he sent was either important or perfectly timed just to say "the only reason you haven't heard from me is because nothing is going on". My girlfriend (who is a real estate agent) wanted me to use some fancy firm. I called to speak to the attorney and was told that he would call me back. The following day his "associate" called me back and said he would be handling the account. After John explained the 1031, I asked this attorney about the 1031, and he said "you don't qualify because it was your primary residence and you never rented it out." John spent about 20 minutes on the phone with me that first time and I could not even get the fancy "partner" to pick up my call or call me back. I think this is what differentiates John from other law firms. It isn't just business, it is personal and caring. The associate at the other firm made it clear I was a "customer", "his partner was busy" and that they would make time for me when I had a contract that they could make money from. In making my decision, I called John back and he again got on the phone. He also called a 1031 company and had a conference call so that we could explain my situation and the owner of the company could verify that because I didn't live in the condo for the prior couple of years, that it would qualify for a 1031 because it was now viewed as an investment property as John had said. Needless to say, I selected John and his service was far superior to anything I have ever experienced. I knew what my expenses were well before each closing. He gave me his cell number and instructed me to text him. When I explained I would be out of the country a lot of the time, and asked if he would use What's App, he immediately agreed and I had an almost instant line of communication with him. The fancy firm quoted me a price of $3,750 and John's price, including the 1031 was $3,250 per transaction. He delivered more than I could ever have expected, was always professional and did everything ahead of schedule. John is as trustworthy as I could ever expect. His staff is very well trained and personable, but I had John's cell and never really spoke to the staff. They would send me emails and wiring instructions and make sure everything was on track at all times, but when you work with John, you get John and honestly, I just finished an estate proceeding with another firm and I can really see the level of service John delivers when comparing it to another firm. All 3 transactions were unbelievably successfully done and I cannot thank John enough.

The due diligence was thorough and everything went very smoothly after I gave John the power of attorney. But what truly amazed me was how responsive John is. There was never a single worry about why he hasn't reply, because he writes me back in 10 minutes all the time! I'm now writing this review from my newly-purchased UWS apartment, and being very grateful for finding John through Avvo.

Nicole's review in April 2018 says it better than I ever could. If you are thinking of shopping for an attorney, don't! There are cheaper, but John ends up saving you money! I called John in 2017 for a purchase in 2017 and his fee was $3,250. I was selling a property in Staten Island, so I used someone the broker recommended. By the time I got done, it was almost $5,000 because I was charged extra for doing a 1031 exchange, charged extra because the closing took 2.5 hours and the attorney had in his agreement an extra fee if it goes over 90 minutes. So, I went back to John with an apology when I purchased the replacement property and he performed flawlessly. His assistants were cheerful and helpful, and most of the time he picked up the phone, but if not, it seemed like he called back in 2 minutes. I just finished another transaction with him and he is the real deal. It isn't the fee. He handles everything, makes jokes that take away your stress, and is just a gentleman. John is the perfect example of you get what you pay for. When you work with him, you work with him. I did not get legal advice from a receptionist, or have to talk to a paralegal because he was "busy". Very impressive and worth every penny.

Positively amazing communication and expert advice. John is as hands on and interactive as can be. When I spoke to his assistant, she was friendly and helpful. But John gave me his cell number and most times I would text or call to instantaneous assistance and cooperation. John answered all my questions and helped me throughout my transaction to relax my fears and anxiety as someone moving from CA to NY might. If I called at 5:30 am, it was 8:30 in NYC and John would usually answer. If I called on a Saturday, he would answer. He sent me a closing statement 3 days ahead of time and I knew what was happening before I got there. He reviewed everything with me, and the closing was a breeze. I do not know how I could recommend anyone higher.

I hired John Crane to handle the legal aspects of the recent sale of my parents' home. Since this was a long-distance transaction (I live in California, and my parents are in New York), it was especially important to have a reliable and responsive attorney. John was terrific--on top of the details, always happy to answer questions, a real advocate for our interests, and helped us navigate through a few tough issues. He was great at getting back to me in a timely manner, and always called or wrote back quickly--even with the time difference! This all gave us great comfort and confidence through the hard moments that inevitably come up during a sale, especially one as difficult as the sale of an elderly parent's home. I'm so appreciative of John's work and care. You'd be smart to hire him.

John is simply an outstanding attorney and I am relieved to have made the decision to hire him before other attorneys. From the beginning John was genuinely invested in understanding how to best represent me vs simply making a quick buck. Right away, John gave me the impression that my legal needs were going to be meet by someone with the right level of experience, but with a healthy touch of person-ability. When it's time to get an understanding in casual terms, he will explain things to you as if you were having a simply talk with a friend about sports at a barbecue; and when it's time to have the right representation and have someone side with you when facing other attorneys, he will show you his worth in every penny with strength and conviction. I am happy to have had John in my corner, and look forward to working with him again in the future.

I had already moved out of NYC when I got an accepted offer on my condo. I read the reviews of John and figured I would call. I asked him what his fee was and he said "that is really probably the least important question you could ask" and he was right. John proceeded to explain that he could save me money because I could give him power of attorney and not have to fly back for the closing. He also asked my plans for the money. I had the fake sales attitude up and said "why is that any of your business" and I got a 20 minute education that probably saved me 350,000 in taxes! Do not do what I did and look for a cheap attorney! All real estate attorneys are not the same. Despite my stupid questions, John patiently explained a 1031 exchange when I told him I would probably invest the money in a property in Nevada where I moved. John set up a conference call with my financial advisor and I and brilliantly explained how I could pay a little tax on money I wanted to keep liquid and invest the rest in a 1031 and defer the bulk of the capital gains tax until some time in the future. As a cpa, I knew about 1031's but didn't want to deal with tenants. John listened to me say I walk with a walker and patiently suggested a professional property manager and everything just clicked. He handled everything from start to finish and I was updated with every occurrence. Both he and his staff were absolutely professional and John wired money to my bank and the rest to the 1031 company so that everything was ready for my Nevada purchase. I have already referred my best friend and her son and will continue to send everyone in NY that I know that says they are buying or selling. I paid John $3,500 and honestly his service was worth double. When I told him I couldn't walk too good and my mailbox was at the end of the driveway, he sent everything by Fed Ex directly to my door. His service was really that exceptional!

John helped me through the process of purchasing my first home in New York City, which can be a very confusing and overwhelming process. I was anxious, but he was there with me every step of the way to be sure it went smoothly and to be sure that I understood. He is extremely thorough and responsive, and he helped me get the best outcome. It was a pleasure to work with him and his entire team. I am SO grateful that I found him, and I would definitely work with him again. Thanks John!

John was so helpful during the purchase of my condo investment property. I've heard the saying, "What separates a good attorney from a bad attorney? A good attorney answers their phone." This could not be more true. Being my first real estate investment property I had specific questions about resale, taxes, zoning, 1031, etc and John was able to field them all or point me in the right direction. Look forward to working together again soon.

The reason why we decided to use John's services in purchasing our first home was the initial phone conversation. We were calling to ask for his quote and it turned into a 30 minute conversation about the entire home buying experience. That level of detail and taking the time out for potential clients spoke volumes. John and his office were great throughout the entire process and kept us updated every step of the way!

All I can say is working with John is like going to the spa. You end up so relaxed! I called John's office, asked to speak with him, and his assistant put me on hold for about 10 seconds. A male picks up the phone and with a raspy type voice says "this is John Crane, how can I help you?" I then got to explain to him that I was selling a condo on the upper west side that I had not been living in for the last couple of years and was going to buy something else. Without hesitating, John asked if I had ever heard of a 1031 exchange, explained it to me, and had me motivated to purchase not only one, but two additional units so that I could have a primary and rental income. John then explained his process and how he was different, mentioning how he frequently closes for people overseas by Power of Attorney so that I did not have to worry about coming back for the closing. He even made a joke about how I would save more on airfare than he would charge in fees...which turned out to be true! Simply put, John kept me informed at every step of the way. He has an instinct (or maybe it is 20 years experience) in that every email he sent was either important or perfectly timed just to say "the only reason you haven't heard from me is because nothing is going on". My girlfriend (who is a real estate agent) wanted me to use some fancy firm. I called to speak to the attorney and was told that he would call me back. The following day his "associate" called me back and said he would be handling the account. After John explained the 1031, I asked this attorney about the 1031, and he said "you don't qualify because it was your primary residence and you never rented it out." John spent about 20 minutes on the phone with me that first time and I could not even get the fancy "partner" to pick up my call or call me back. I think this is what differentiates John from other law firms. It isn't just business, it is personal and caring. The associate at the other firm made it clear I was a "customer", "his partner was busy" and that they would make time for me when I had a contract that they could make money from. In making my decision, I called John back and he again got on the phone. He also called a 1031 company and had a conference call so that we could explain my situation and the owner of the company could verify that because I didn't live in the condo for the prior couple of years, that it would qualify for a 1031 because it was now viewed as an investment property as John had said. Needless to say, I selected John and his service was far superior to anything I have ever experienced. I knew what my expenses were well before each closing. He gave me his cell number and instructed me to text him. When I explained I would be out of the country a lot of the time, and asked if he would use What's App, he immediately agreed and I had an almost instant line of communication with him. The fancy firm quoted me a price of $3,750 and John's price, including the 1031 was $3,250 per transaction. He delivered more than I could ever have expected, was always professional and did everything ahead of schedule. John is as trustworthy as I could ever expect. His staff is very well trained and personable, but I had John's cell and never really spoke to the staff. They would send me emails and wiring instructions and make sure everything was on track at all times, but when you work with John, you get John and honestly, I just finished an estate proceeding with another firm and I can really see the level of service John delivers when comparing it to another firm. All 3 transactions were unbelievably successfully done and I cannot thank John enough.

The due diligence was thorough and everything went very smoothly after I gave John the power of attorney. But what truly amazed me was how responsive John is. There was never a single worry about why he hasn't reply, because he writes me back in 10 minutes all the time! I'm now writing this review from my newly-purchased UWS apartment, and being very grateful for finding John through Avvo.

Nicole's review in April 2018 says it better than I ever could. If you are thinking of shopping for an attorney, don't! There are cheaper, but John ends up saving you money! I called John in 2017 for a purchase in 2017 and his fee was $3,250. I was selling a property in Staten Island, so I used someone the broker recommended. By the time I got done, it was almost $5,000 because I was charged extra for doing a 1031 exchange, charged extra because the closing took 2.5 hours and the attorney had in his agreement an extra fee if it goes over 90 minutes. So, I went back to John with an apology when I purchased the replacement property and he performed flawlessly. His assistants were cheerful and helpful, and most of the time he picked up the phone, but if not, it seemed like he called back in 2 minutes. I just finished another transaction with him and he is the real deal. It isn't the fee. He handles everything, makes jokes that take away your stress, and is just a gentleman. John is the perfect example of you get what you pay for. When you work with him, you work with him. I did not get legal advice from a receptionist, or have to talk to a paralegal because he was "busy". Very impressive and worth every penny.

Positively amazing communication and expert advice. John is as hands on and interactive as can be. When I spoke to his assistant, she was friendly and helpful. But John gave me his cell number and most times I would text or call to instantaneous assistance and cooperation. John answered all my questions and helped me throughout my transaction to relax my fears and anxiety as someone moving from CA to NY might. If I called at 5:30 am, it was 8:30 in NYC and John would usually answer. If I called on a Saturday, he would answer. He sent me a closing statement 3 days ahead of time and I knew what was happening before I got there. He reviewed everything with me, and the closing was a breeze. I do not know how I could recommend anyone higher.

I hired John Crane to handle the legal aspects of the recent sale of my parents' home. Since this was a long-distance transaction (I live in California, and my parents are in New York), it was especially important to have a reliable and responsive attorney. John was terrific--on top of the details, always happy to answer questions, a real advocate for our interests, and helped us navigate through a few tough issues. He was great at getting back to me in a timely manner, and always called or wrote back quickly--even with the time difference! This all gave us great comfort and confidence through the hard moments that inevitably come up during a sale, especially one as difficult as the sale of an elderly parent's home. I'm so appreciative of John's work and care. You'd be smart to hire him.

John is simply an outstanding attorney and I am relieved to have made the decision to hire him before other attorneys. From the beginning John was genuinely invested in understanding how to best represent me vs simply making a quick buck. Right away, John gave me the impression that my legal needs were going to be meet by someone with the right level of experience, but with a healthy touch of person-ability. When it's time to get an understanding in casual terms, he will explain things to you as if you were having a simply talk with a friend about sports at a barbecue; and when it's time to have the right representation and have someone side with you when facing other attorneys, he will show you his worth in every penny with strength and conviction. I am happy to have had John in my corner, and look forward to working with him again in the future.

I had already moved out of NYC when I got an accepted offer on my condo. I read the reviews of John and figured I would call. I asked him what his fee was and he said "that is really probably the least important question you could ask" and he was right. John proceeded to explain that he could save me money because I could give him power of attorney and not have to fly back for the closing. He also asked my plans for the money. I had the fake sales attitude up and said "why is that any of your business" and I got a 20 minute education that probably saved me 350,000 in taxes! Do not do what I did and look for a cheap attorney! All real estate attorneys are not the same. Despite my stupid questions, John patiently explained a 1031 exchange when I told him I would probably invest the money in a property in Nevada where I moved. John set up a conference call with my financial advisor and I and brilliantly explained how I could pay a little tax on money I wanted to keep liquid and invest the rest in a 1031 and defer the bulk of the capital gains tax until some time in the future. As a cpa, I knew about 1031's but didn't want to deal with tenants. John listened to me say I walk with a walker and patiently suggested a professional property manager and everything just clicked. He handled everything from start to finish and I was updated with every occurrence. Both he and his staff were absolutely professional and John wired money to my bank and the rest to the 1031 company so that everything was ready for my Nevada purchase. I have already referred my best friend and her son and will continue to send everyone in NY that I know that says they are buying or selling. I paid John $3,500 and honestly his service was worth double. When I told him I couldn't walk too good and my mailbox was at the end of the driveway, he sent everything by Fed Ex directly to my door. His service was really that exceptional!

John helped me through the process of purchasing my first home in New York City, which can be a very confusing and overwhelming process. I was anxious, but he was there with me every step of the way to be sure it went smoothly and to be sure that I understood. He is extremely thorough and responsive, and he helped me get the best outcome. It was a pleasure to work with him and his entire team. I am SO grateful that I found him, and I would definitely work with him again. Thanks John!

John was so helpful during the purchase of my condo investment property. I've heard the saying, "What separates a good attorney from a bad attorney? A good attorney answers their phone." This could not be more true. Being my first real estate investment property I had specific questions about resale, taxes, zoning, 1031, etc and John was able to field them all or point me in the right direction. Look forward to working together again soon.

The reason why we decided to use John's services in purchasing our first home was the initial phone conversation. We were calling to ask for his quote and it turned into a 30 minute conversation about the entire home buying experience. That level of detail and taking the time out for potential clients spoke volumes. John and his office were great throughout the entire process and kept us updated every step of the way!

All I can say is working with John is like going to the spa. You end up so relaxed! I called John's office, asked to speak with him, and his assistant put me on hold for about 10 seconds. A male picks up the phone and with a raspy type voice says "this is John Crane, how can I help you?" I then got to explain to him that I was selling a condo on the upper west side that I had not been living in for the last couple of years and was going to buy something else. Without hesitating, John asked if I had ever heard of a 1031 exchange, explained it to me, and had me motivated to purchase not only one, but two additional units so that I could have a primary and rental income. John then explained his process and how he was different, mentioning how he frequently closes for people overseas by Power of Attorney so that I did not have to worry about coming back for the closing. He even made a joke about how I would save more on airfare than he would charge in fees...which turned out to be true! Simply put, John kept me informed at every step of the way. He has an instinct (or maybe it is 20 years experience) in that every email he sent was either important or perfectly timed just to say "the only reason you haven't heard from me is because nothing is going on". My girlfriend (who is a real estate agent) wanted me to use some fancy firm. I called to speak to the attorney and was told that he would call me back. The following day his "associate" called me back and said he would be handling the account. After John explained the 1031, I asked this attorney about the 1031, and he said "you don't qualify because it was your primary residence and you never rented it out." John spent about 20 minutes on the phone with me that first time and I could not even get the fancy "partner" to pick up my call or call me back. I think this is what differentiates John from other law firms. It isn't just business, it is personal and caring. The associate at the other firm made it clear I was a "customer", "his partner was busy" and that they would make time for me when I had a contract that they could make money from. In making my decision, I called John back and he again got on the phone. He also called a 1031 company and had a conference call so that we could explain my situation and the owner of the company could verify that because I didn't live in the condo for the prior couple of years, that it would qualify for a 1031 because it was now viewed as an investment property as John had said. Needless to say, I selected John and his service was far superior to anything I have ever experienced. I knew what my expenses were well before each closing. He gave me his cell number and instructed me to text him. When I explained I would be out of the country a lot of the time, and asked if he would use What's App, he immediately agreed and I had an almost instant line of communication with him. The fancy firm quoted me a price of $3,750 and John's price, including the 1031 was $3,250 per transaction. He delivered more than I could ever have expected, was always professional and did everything ahead of schedule. John is as trustworthy as I could ever expect. His staff is very well trained and personable, but I had John's cell and never really spoke to the staff. They would send me emails and wiring instructions and make sure everything was on track at all times, but when you work with John, you get John and honestly, I just finished an estate proceeding with another firm and I can really see the level of service John delivers when comparing it to another firm. All 3 transactions were unbelievably successfully done and I cannot thank John enough.

The due diligence was thorough and everything went very smoothly after I gave John the power of attorney. But what truly amazed me was how responsive John is. There was never a single worry about why he hasn't reply, because he writes me back in 10 minutes all the time! I'm now writing this review from my newly-purchased UWS apartment, and being very grateful for finding John through Avvo.