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February 14, 2007
Brownstoner Reader Survey Results
As promised, we've got the results of the reader survey that ran from last Friday morning through Monday afternoon. Based on the 882 responses (out of the 100,000 or so people who visit the site every month), 52 percent of readers are male and 48 percent are female (with at least one abstension). Exactly half are in their Thirties, two-thirds have household incomes in excess of $100,000 and more than 95 percent have a college degree or higher (we expect to see fewer typos going forward!). In terms of geography, 85 percent of readers live in Brooklyn, with the greatest numbers hailing from Park Slope, Clinton Hill and Carroll Gardens, in that order. Of the two-thirds of respondents who own their own home, 57 percent own a house, 26 percent own a co-op and 17 percent own a condo. It's also a conservative bunch: 71 percent have a fixed-rate mortgage, 19 percent a variable and 10 percent are debt-free. Lastly, more than 60 percent of renters plan to buy a place within the next two years (less than 4 percent plan on never owning). Anything surprising to you in those numbers?
Time for the Brownstoner Readership Survey [Brownstoner]
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Comments
I'd expect more condo owners than that.
Posted by: Anonymous at February 14, 2007 10:06 AM
Brownstoner wrote:
"Based on the 882 people who responded, 52 percent of the 100,000 or so unique readers who visit the site every month are male and 48 percent are female (with at least one abstension). "
I don't understand how you extrapolate the responses from 882 to the 100,000 unique readers.
Posted by: Anonymous at February 14, 2007 10:12 AM
10:12: You didn't get the quotation quite right. I don't think Brownstoner intended to extrapolate, but was just reporting on what he heard back.
Posted by: Anon at February 14, 2007 10:32 AM
"10 percent are debt-free" surprises me. It appears all the owners from the 70's, 80's and, even, early 90's are long gone. The relative youthfulness of the owners suggests that the new, leveraged owners are concerned about their investment and the daily visit to the site has become as familiar to these owners as checking their stock holdings in the newspaper.
Posted by: Brownstone Dreamin at February 14, 2007 10:36 AM
He will have website server stats already which track the numberof unique hits on the site.
Posted by: Anonymous at February 14, 2007 10:36 AM
I would have expected to see a larger number of non ownners.... In the position prepare for a purchase and getting more info. But as the last poster stated, I check Brownstoner as frequently as I check my stock portfolio....even more, because when the market is down, I can't bare to look at the stock portfolio. Especially since i've covered all my short positions!
Posted by: NewStoner at February 14, 2007 10:48 AM
Brownstone Dreamin',
Many of those owners are still there, it's just that the low-rates home equity loan boom of the last several years prompted many to cash some equity out of their house (for a 2nd home, renovations, kids/grandkids' tuition, vacation travel, retirement income, whatever the case may be).
So, those folks are no longer debt-free, as they took on a home equity loan or line of credit. But many that haven't yet sold to new arrivals still live in their homes.
So, they aren't gone. Just no longer debt free.
You can note this activity by sharking individual properties. There are satisfaction of mortgage notes, then after that you will see new loan/debt encumberances of various types.
hth
Posted by: webster at February 14, 2007 10:48 AM
That was me at 10:12.
"52 percent of the 100,000 or so unique readers who visit the site every month are male and 48 percent are female"
I'm no expert in statistics or polling, but it does appear to me that he is applying his results to the larger group.
Posted by: Hal at February 14, 2007 10:58 AM
No surprise here.
We're all a bunch of overeducated yuppies who have foregone spirituality and replaced it with the veneration of property. Hoo-rah!
Posted by: brownstone = temple at February 14, 2007 10:59 AM
The survey is likely for the benfeit of advertisers, so it makes sense that BS would want to extrapolate. I am sure there's a more scientific way to do it though...
Posted by: clinton hillbilly at February 14, 2007 11:03 AM
I dunno about looking on this site being analogous to checking stock portfolio.I look to find out what is going on in community... development, renovations, conversions, issues and discussions of quality of life, problems of being homeowner, etc, etc ,etc.
Also (not necessarily reflective of brownstoner readership) - but turnover of houses is very very slow - # of houses sold per year vs. size of housing stock. I would venture to guess average # of years current owners have owned houses in brownstone brooklyn is very high compared to USA in general.
Posted by: Anonymous at February 14, 2007 11:03 AM
Hal,
Mr. B is NOT saying 52% of 100,000. He's saying 52% of the 882 respondents. With atleast ONE Abstention! Just a sample size. He then indicates he gets upwards of 100,000 visitors to the sight per month.
Don't confuse the two.
Posted by: NewStoner at February 14, 2007 11:05 AM
how do you know you get 100000 unique visitors? i visit from at leat 3 computers. maybe only 33000 unique visitors?
Posted by: Anonymous at February 14, 2007 11:09 AM
Speak for yourself - I am no yuppie. As I responded in the survey, I am very very very curious about the ethnic and political affiliation percentages as well. Interesting stuff on the survey though.
College educated Clinton Hill co-op owner!
Posted by: Brooklyn Zoo at February 14, 2007 11:10 AM
All we can go on is what the server tells us, 11:09. At the same time as you're checking from 3 computers, there may be three housemates all reading from one computer...
Posted by: brownstoner at February 14, 2007 11:12 AM
I expected more responses. This is an active community that uses and appreciates this site, why is it so hard for us to help out when asked? It isn't even like public broadcasting stations, they ask for money, Brownstoner only asked for a couple of keystrokes.
Piss poor showing on our part.
Posted by: Gary at February 14, 2007 11:13 AM
Extrapolating from 882 (sample) to 100000 (population) would be ok if the sample was selected appropriately (randomly). However with this type of volunteer survey, sampling is not random, so the results are likely to be biased in one way or another. This is basic statistics, people reading this blog should know this if 95% of them have a college degree or higher.
Posted by: Anonymous at February 14, 2007 11:18 AM
I work in magazine publishing and whenever we do a survey, we offer a prize to incentivize response. BS might want to try that. With a good prize, he could probably triple his response rate (or more). BS--try approaching advertisers to barter for something that readers really want.
Posted by: clinton hillbilly at February 14, 2007 11:23 AM
I would like to see more information on historic homes in East New York (Brooklyn), there are many affordable brick and frame homes in East New York, and the community is improving alot.
Posted by: Dave at February 14, 2007 11:28 AM
Hmmm, we actually thought it was a pretty good turn-out. Obviously rife with sampling error though.
Posted by: brownstoner at February 14, 2007 11:28 AM
Maybe this blog could be called 'Parksloper.'
I also agree, that although I love the figures, the sample polled is probably nonrepresentative and cannot be used to make too many inferences.
But, keep up the good work!
Posted by: Anonymous at February 14, 2007 11:41 AM
Believe me, that would not help Brownstoner any. Calender Girls - not.
However, a calender featuring Brownstoner readerships' exteriors/interiors might have some more appeal.
Posted by: Crown Heights Proud at February 14, 2007 11:41 AM
Less than 1% isn't so hot. Even direct mail gets an average 3% response rate. If you want to use these results to increase ad revenue, you may want to try again.
Posted by: clinton hillbilly at February 14, 2007 11:42 AM
Buildings, that is.
Posted by: Crown Heights Proud at February 14, 2007 11:43 AM
Would it include "action" shots? Fisting?
Posted by: Anonymous at February 14, 2007 11:48 AM
"It appears all the owners from the 70's, 80's and, even, early 90's are long gone."
This is very different from my experience, living in PS, Caroll Gardens and WT. It is _still_ the case, especially in CG and WT that most (like 70%) of the people on the block have lived here over 20 years, with many many over 50 years (2nd, 3rd generations).
On my block in WT you can probably count on one hand the number of new owners in the last 10 years. It just goes to show you that all the talk of bronestone brooklyn being "just rich people" or other similiar stereotypes doesn't match with reality.
Posted by: OE at February 14, 2007 11:54 AM
Sorry to disappoint. the Miss America Pageant people won't let me wear my banner because of copyright issues, and they take the tiara back when the next person wins. I don't do nude without that banner. However I'm sure any one of my cats will be more than happy to pose (even action shots!)totally in the buff for that. we all do what we can. :-)
Posted by: Bx2Bklyn at February 14, 2007 11:57 AM
I'm not looking into this as pure statistical representation. I think it's nothing more than a rather large "Focus Group".
Posted by: NewStoner at February 14, 2007 12:05 PM
Interestingly, the percentages barely budged after the first hundred or so responses so not sure leaving it up for an entire month would have accomplished much. Maybe more of the infrequent readers would have participated, but they are less likely to anyway, since they presumably are less invested in the site and its community.
Posted by: brownstoner at February 14, 2007 12:11 PM
The results seem in line with the blogs. No surprises. And it doesn't surprise me that 10% are debt free. There are families in my area that have owned their properties for generations.
Posted by: donatella at February 14, 2007 12:29 PM
Brownstoner, surely you don't get 100,000 unique visitors each month, do you? Is it a total of 100,000 hits a month?
Posted by: Park Sloper at February 14, 2007 12:39 PM
Sorry- I only see them as pets. Obviously you have other interests- CACC will be arriving at your front door shortly to pick you up. Hope you get adopted before the 7 day waiting period.
Posted by: Bx2Bklyn at February 14, 2007 12:47 PM
doesn't the visitor counter tally ISP addresses- in which case wouldn't that number be hits, rahter than unique visitors?
Posted by: Bx2Bklyn at February 14, 2007 12:49 PM
doesn't the visitor counter tally ISP addresses- in which case wouldn't that number be hits, rather than unique visitors?
Posted by: Bx2Bklyn at February 14, 2007 12:50 PM
Nope, Park Sloper. That's uniques.
Posted by: brownstoner at February 14, 2007 12:55 PM
No surprise that Park Slope had the most respondents, given the sometimes caustic, condescending tone of the Forum.
Posted by: Fort Greener at February 14, 2007 1:27 PM
It's also geographically much bigger than, say, Fort Greene...
Posted by: brownstoner at February 14, 2007 1:32 PM
Interesting to see Carroll Gardens coming in at #3. Maybe more coverage of that part of the boro, along with Cobble Hill and Boerum Hill, would be a good idea? We don't get much on those nabes and I for one would be happy to see more -- and I don't even live there!
Posted by: NeoGrec at February 14, 2007 1:54 PM
OK, Brownstoner, you edited your blurb.
Posted by: Hal at February 14, 2007 2:01 PM
Furthermore it says "52 per cent of readers", when it would be more correct to say "52 per cent of respondents".
Also, I take exception to being called 'conservative' based on my mortgage alone. I'm liberal if not progressive, and I would guess that applies to other respondents as well.
So there.
;-)
Posted by: Hal at February 14, 2007 2:10 PM
Feels like it's 100,000 copy editors reading the site!
Posted by: brownstoner at February 14, 2007 2:17 PM
true dat brownstoner!
Posted by: 635Stuy at February 14, 2007 2:38 PM
double true!
Posted by: Bub at February 14, 2007 3:09 PM
Mr. B,
Where did Bedford-Stuyvesant rank? In fact, can you give us the ranking for all nabes?
Thanks!
Posted by: Anonymous at February 14, 2007 3:14 PM
All I have to say is you have an advertising gold mine..all those $100,000 plus earners just dying to dump more moullah into their Bstones... wow..
Posted by: Anonymous at February 14, 2007 3:23 PM
I'd love to see where the stuy came in!
and all the rest. Share PLease!!!
Posted by: Anonymous at February 14, 2007 3:24 PM
I would like to see Mr. B expand to East York Brooklyn, plenty pics to see of historic buildings to see here, mostly Limestone and Bricks, I have been posting on the site since 2005 and have met a few good people. Keep up the Good work.
Posted by: Dave at February 14, 2007 3:42 PM
Park Slope - 20%
Clinton Hill - 9.3%
Carroll Gardens - 7.8%
Prospect Heights - 6.8%
Fort Greene - 6.2%
Bed Stuy - 5.5%
Cobble Hill - 5.4%
Brooklyn Heights - 5.3%
Boerum Hill - 4.2%
Crown Heights - 2.4%
PLG - 2.4%
Greenpoint - 2.1%
Posted by: brownstoner at February 14, 2007 4:03 PM
PLG - 2.4%???!!!
You'd think they they were about 90% for all the brow beating and tantrum throwing they do on this site.
Posted by: Anonymous at February 14, 2007 4:23 PM
Whoa...Ditmas isn't even on the top 10. Maybe I'm just talking to myself.
Posted by: Argyle Road at February 14, 2007 4:23 PM
I do not understand why some of you would not be intersted in Cypress Hills. It is prime realestate. Everything is nearby. The highway and the train which is about 20 mins fromNYC. I would rather venture here than in Bushwick. Bushwick is a little to grimy for me. At least Cypress Hills stillhas tree lined streets. Bushwock only has streets fulll of rats and garbage. I have lived in a loft in Bushwick for one year and had to get out. Come on they had a dead dog in the middle of the street rotten over the summer. Just imagine the stench. I explored Cypress hIlls and I amhooked. It still needs help with amenities and things along those lines but I rather here than the Bush. And the prices of the houses are reasonable. Eventhough the houses are older they are better built then the modern ones (Fedders & otheres). ANd I was not out priced like in willamsburg which is ridiculous. I say explore the area. I would say stay before atlantic ave it is better. Arlington ave, highland blvd, Jamaica ave and I like this little dead end block called Schenck Court off of Jamaica ave it has these brownstone like homes that are realy nice and worth the $$.
Posted by: mike at February 14, 2007 4:24 PM
Cypress hills is only a twenty minute train ride to williamsburg marcy stop also you can take the j to the L train at broadway junction-Developers are salivating for land in cypress hills.Its a very nice neighborhood with a 122 acre park(Highland Park) for the amenities.There are alot of beutiful brick houses dating back to 1910. Housing prices in this area are going up fast.Don't be surprise when the corcoran group starts to sell houses in this area.
Posted by: Sparks at February 14, 2007 4:28 PM
I have done quite a bit of business in Cypress Hills over the years.
It was always a good area to buy a starter home with an FHA mortgage. Ahh, those were the days!
I haven't tooled around the area for over a year, but have always considered it the "next stop" once the wave moves out from western Brooklyn communities.
I still don't think it's ripe for the picking yet. Bushwick just to the west, is still developing and attracting new buyers, but even there, it's not anywhere close to being a Fort Greene, yet.
If a buyer is truly adventurous and seeks a decent price, then Cypress Hills is an excellent location.
The J train is there. The Jackie Robinson Parkway begins right there, so it's a short drive out to Nassau County or northern Queens.
The housing stock is older, needing improvement.
Posted by: Jason at February 14, 2007 4:31 PM
This survey doesn't surprise me at all. It confirms the obvious. Most Brownstoner readers are rich and already own their own home. No wonder they love to shout down any new development that occurs in the city. The only possible result of allowing development in this city is their property values will go down.
Meanwhile, 20 somethings like me who barely make 6 figures have poor parents will never be able to afford a place that is convenient to Manhattan.
Thank You Mr. Brownstoner. I shall link to this survey every time the crazy Anti-Atlantic Yard crowd of rich homeowners spews forth their selfish nonsense.
Posted by: Eryximachus at February 14, 2007 5:00 PM
5:00pm. i disagree with your semi-rant. i make about 40 thousand dollars less than 6 figures a year and in the last 3 months have bought and moved into a perfect (for me) studio apartment in the north slope. no rich parents to speak of. and i'm 30 years old.
i'm sorry you are having such a rough go of it apparently, but perhaps you aren't looking in the right place or simply not trying hard enough. i suggest you spend more time focussing on your own life than dismissing and generalizing the lives of others.
your generalizations are simply not accurate.
Posted by: anon at February 14, 2007 5:22 PM
I didn't know what to answer about the fix/variable mortgage issue.
I have a rate fixed for 5 years. what do you consider that, Mr. B?
Posted by: tripster at February 14, 2007 5:49 PM
Variable is not the correct term. I think the term you are looking for is adjustable. A five year mortgage with full payment at the end of five years is a balloon. If it adjusts after five years it is adjustable. Variable is not an industry recognized term.
Posted by: Anonymous at February 14, 2007 6:06 PM
'Meanwhile, 20 somethings like me who barely make 6 figures have poor parents will never be able to afford a place that is convenient to Manhattan."
You gotta love this guy's sense of humor.
If you can't make it on "barely" 6 figures the problem is you, not the market. Sorry about the parents too. Have you spoken to them about having had you when they really couldn't afford you?
Posted by: Bx2Bklyn at February 14, 2007 6:11 PM
not to be a noodge, but my rate is fixed for five years then it rolls over into an adjustable rate.
of course, i plan to see where the rates are closer to that date and probably refi, possibly for another five years . . .
my point is that the rate IS fixed -- just not for the 30 years that our parents wanted and many still feel attached to
Posted by: tripster at February 14, 2007 6:13 PM
Hey where's DUMBO? I filled out the survey and I live in DUMBO
Posted by: slighted at February 14, 2007 7:02 PM
I wonder how many of those Clinton Hill responders actually live in Bed-Stuy.
Posted by: Anonymous at February 14, 2007 7:58 PM
"in the last 3 months have bought and moved into a perfect (for me) studio apartment in the north slope"
How do you raise a family in a studio apartment?
Happy Valentines Day single person. Most feel great to be alone today.
Posted by: Anonymous at February 14, 2007 8:16 PM
Anonymous 8:16p,
That was totally cold. Have fun revelling in that.
As for that person finding a studio, he/she has a chip in the game, and you do not.
Have fun revelling in that, too.
Posted by: webster at February 14, 2007 8:45 PM
How many people are jerks who are on brownstoner? Did the survey reveal that?
Posted by: Anonymous at February 14, 2007 9:53 PM
by asking that, you fit the bill as well as any...
Posted by: Anonymous at February 14, 2007 10:50 PM
Studios are great when you are in your '20s. People in their '30s should really be looking into big apartments unless you are positive you are not hooking up.
Posted by: Anonymous at February 15, 2007 1:52 AM
1:52 who are you to decide what is right for someone in their 20's or 30's. by the sound of your post/s you are probably in your mid 40's, own no property at all and haven't gotten laid since reagan was president. your comments are completely heartless.
most people in this city never own anything. to own a studio at ANY age in nyc is an expensive proposition. and there are people who don't feel the need to shack up in their 20's. this isn't west virginia.
Posted by: anonymous at February 15, 2007 10:54 AM
8:16 jealousy is a VERY ugly thing.
we have all seen it in its truest form with your post.
funny how you were posting on brownstoner at 8:16pm yet made a comment about someone ELSE being alone on valentines's day.
and then you posted again at almost 2am. looks like you were the one alone, my friend.
Posted by: anonymous at February 15, 2007 10:58 AM
From what I can tell, all the 20 somethings can't save deposit money becase they're hanging out at coffee shops with their vast array of electonic appliances (computers, ipods, cell phone etc) or going out for dinner and drinking $10 "martinis" (the ones that have some sort of alco-fruit concoction and no gin").
Posted by: Anonymous at February 15, 2007 4:39 PM
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