A Whole Mess of Renters
In early ’09, when many owners of condo developments were having trouble selling units, they began offering them to renters instead. But now, the buyers are coming back and the tenants’ leases aren’t up yet, says the New York Times. In order to show an in-use apartment to potential buyers, a real estate agent needs…
In early ’09, when many owners of condo developments were having trouble selling units, they began offering them to renters instead. But now, the buyers are coming back and the tenants’ leases aren’t up yet, says the New York Times. In order to show an in-use apartment to potential buyers, a real estate agent needs permission from the renters, “who are not as motivated as owners to keep it in museumlike shape for viewing… there’s often a wife, a baby and a nanny at home — and the corresponding toys and other evidence of family life.” (Of course, “evidence of family life” is an altogether different beast from the, um, “evidence of bachelor life” pictured above.)
The article cites several Manhattan landlords who are facing this situation, but has anyone noticed that this is becoming an issue in Brooklyn, too? And while it’s certainly annoying for landlords and potential buyers to deal with occupied apartments, isn’t it just as unpleasant for the soon-to-be-ousted renters?
The Renter Roadblock [NY Times]
Photo by dalasv
The premise of this article is complete bs.
The NYC housing market has not picked. Renters are still in high demand by landlords.
It’s just more crap to sell papers and entertain idiots.
OK bklynlawyer, cool!
jessibaby: I know, it is a pretty obvious point (and is spelled out clearly in the NYT article). I was responding to Montrose’s (rhetorical) questions: “How are their lifestyle, any different from an occupied condo OWNER’S unit? No one selling their condo has a wife and kids?”
Montrose: I completely agree, there are renters who keep their homes in great condition (I like to think I am one of them) and owners who are slobs. My point – and that of the article – was a gross generalization.
Love it – renters are fine while they are subsidizing the mortgage – but once ‘staging’ has to happen sounds like they want your money but not you, or any of your stuff.
Montrose — the issue isn’t “clean” the issue is “staged.” Real estate folks and the sellers want their property to look pristine and *ideal*
I’ve been a renter in this situation… and I was asked to “help the out.” I responded by saying they could provide a 2x per week cleaning service along with storage and moving men for my “extra stuff cluttering the unit.” I never heard from them again.
BXGRL… I was referring to your use of $$. It goes BEFORE the number. That’s how it works.
wow… this was just a slice of life story about people’s decision whether to keep the place empty or rent it out. it’s not that deep. and, it’s a real thing, not just real estate agent babble. have a buddy who went through this exact scenario.
I will agree to fairly liberal open house hours, and to make myself scarce, in exchange for the owner/broker cleaning my apartment to their standards. It’s a win-win, right?
Gotcha, lawyer, but that assumes that every, or at least most, renters are either pigs, or going out of their way to sabotage poor l’il condo developers and/or rip off landlords in some way. I do not think most people have that much time or creativity on their hands.
Most people (by which I mean responsible adults) want a clean home because they have to live in it. Who actually owns it is irrelevent.