Comments for True Gotham - New York City and Hamptons Real Estate

Comment on Dear Maura: Buyers, Trust Your Instincts and Take the Leap! FOLLOW-UP by Eric Estate

Eric Estate — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 03:29:16 +0000

It’s always surprising to see which properties are the “ones” and the “passes”

Comment on How To Raffle Your House by UNDERWATERNOMORE

UNDERWATERNOMORE — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 17:22:34 +0000

There’s only 1 safe and sure fire way to raffle or ‘contest’ your home off the books – Hire a big, big, fat, humungous attorney please. Otherwise, you’re at risk for lots of fraud, takers, and other District-9 types; including RE Agents.

Hire one, and have fun with profits.

Comment on Getting The Most From Your Real Estate Agent by Johnavon

Johnavon — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 22:41:30 +0000

It’s posts like this that make suirfng so much pleasure

Comment on Consider This: MANAR + REBNY = HARMONY by Michael Corley

Michael Corley — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:14:27 +0000

@Patrick Healy – I echoed the same point in an earlier comment that there are BIG interests that would go unsatisfied in the arrangement Doug advocates here.

As for the consumer, here’s where I come down on the opposite site of everyone here; there isn’t one industry in the U.S. that focuses on the consumer experience at the expense of revenue – and for the now less than 1 million card carrying members of NAR, neither one would agree to GETTING LESS for the sake of the consumer (real talk). Which makes most brokers and agents stance on things like “more transparency” and “broad exposure” ring a bit hollow.

Truth is, there are some nimble agencies out there who are leveraging the right technology and delivering a high value experience to consumers right now, tailored to their expectations and they’re the ones who are going to win BIG in spite of the “old guard”.

Comment on Consider This: MANAR + REBNY = HARMONY by Patrick Healy

Patrick Healy — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 18:10:45 +0000

I’m not an agent and am not held to any codes of conduct so I can say what I want. At the end if the day, it comes down to money, yes, but more so control. NYC is basically run by 4 or 5 brokerages who run REBNY. They continue to grow and thrive while the others try and keep up. Essentially it’s a cartel and needs to be investigated. The big two make billions and do whatever they want and if I were them I wouldn’t change a thing. What’s their incentive?

If StreetEasy could create a user experience that really owned the market and was THE definitive real estate experience like a Zillow or Realtor.com – both of which need work mind you – it wouldn’t even matter. The large brokerages still need to co-broke with everyone in the state and although the ‘say’ they play nice the reality is that they really don’t. This is why real estate is broken and overinflated in NYC – because there is no transparency or concern for the consumer – just the sale.

Comment on Consider This: MANAR + REBNY = HARMONY by Michael Corley

Michael Corley — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:01:41 +0000

Doug, I hear your plea and appreciate it. And furthermore, this has been suggested by a number of brokers and agents who’ve all made the same plea (in their own way).

Unfortunately, there are too many interests that would go unsatisfied in such a merger, both in Manhattan and City-wide.

But there is a way to force the outcome your suggesting … win collaboratively.

In order for MANAR to have leverage, they’ll need to convince more licensees to join their trade association and realize how valuable an association would be in NYSAR and NAR.

(in the spirit of full disclosure, I’m neither a member of NAR, NYSAR or REBNY)

And perhaps the reason why is I didn’t want any LIMITATIONS to growing my real estate practice (but that’s another blog post discussion).

Comment on Consider This: MANAR + REBNY = HARMONY by Douglas Heddings

Douglas Heddings — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:21:38 +0000

But it can’t JUST be ME is my point. Indeed a Herculean effort must occur but no one person will be able to effect change. And I hear you Phil regarding my wishes for MLS mergers but if a single committee can be created to oversee an MLS, policies can also merge and be re-written. A huge feat I know but something MUST happen for the consumer AND the local real estate industry.

Comment on Consider This: MANAR + REBNY = HARMONY by Malcolm Carter

Malcolm Carter — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:13:20 +0000

It’s a noble idea, Doug, and someone has to throw down the gauntlet. I’m glad it is you, but I have to agree with Phil that the struggle will continue to prove to be Herculean. Good luck!

Comment on Consider This: MANAR + REBNY = HARMONY by J. Philip Faranda

J. Philip Faranda — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:17:50 +0000

REBNY left NAR over money and the schism will always remain because it is a business. Access to data on a level playing field would be a wonderful thing, but it would take a massive re-education and deconstruction of entrenched beliefs to affect change. And when this current structure helps maintain market share for the big players, that makes things all the more difficult.

As for merging with the outer boroughs, be very careful of what you ask for. Having done business in all 5 boroughs (and belonging to virtually every MLS) I can safely tell you that professional standards vary greatly with region.

I love how you think, Doug.

Comment on Hamptons Market Philosphy is Bass Ackwards by Another Real(i)ty Sandwich in the Hamptons « Hamptons Real Estate Blog

Another Real(i)ty Sandwich in the Hamptons « Hamptons Real Estate Blog — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:33:12 +0000

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