Hey Corcoran, Won't You Be Our Neighbor?
The Prospect Lefferts Gardens blog Across the Park is inviting the city’s powerhouse brokerages to set up shop in the neighborhood. A recent post notes that though name-brand brokerages sell properties in the area, none of them has a storefront: Almost every time there’s a big listing (sometimes a small listing) in PLG, it’s offered…
The Prospect Lefferts Gardens blog Across the Park is inviting the city’s powerhouse brokerages to set up shop in the neighborhood. A recent post notes that though name-brand brokerages sell properties in the area, none of them has a storefront:
Almost every time there’s a big listing (sometimes a small listing) in PLG, it’s offered by a larger, highly recognizable firm. In addition, we hypothesize that sooner or later, the big guys will want to expand into Crown Heights South and Wingate. Wouldn’t PLG make a stellar location to grow from? … We would also like to see one of the big firms locate in PLG because we think it would contribute remarkably to our commercial landscape and accelerate the addition of amenities – nothing fancy, we’re talking ATMs and some better stocked shops on Flatbush.
It’s an interesting question: Do big-time real estate offices beget gentrification, or is it the other way ’round?
Big Firms: Come on Down [Across the Park]
I can’t believe that it has been suggested that inviting a major RE firm to PLG “smacks of not so subtle racism”
In answer to the question of whether or not big time firms beget gentrification or the other way around, I would have to say it’s the other way round. At least initially.
You couldn’t have paid any of the big firms to list anything in Bed Stuy, Crown Heights, PLG, up until about 5 years ago. Less than 2 years ago, the Corcoran office in the Heights was being investigated for steering Caucasian clients away from Bed Stuy, along with other shady discriminatory practices.
Gentrification = big realtors is more of a circular symbiotic relationship now, but in the beginning, and still to a great degree, I see the large firms as poachers and colonializers, coming in and taking the best listings, making their money, and leaving. Why doesn’t one of them sponsor seminars on predatory lending, or economic empowerment, or put pressure on local pols or police precincts for better services? Form a BID and use their vast contacts to attract businesses to the area?
There is more to a viable neighborhood than just the real estate values of houses. If Corcoran, or any of the other white glove firms wants to move into PLG, CH, BS, they need to realize that, and work with the neighborhoods to become agents of change, not just real estate agents.
Like anyone else on this site, Bob is free to comment on whatever he likes, whenever he likes. He is justifiably proud of his home and community, and could probably care less what some anonymous troll who’s been plaguing this site for years now, thinks about either him or PLG.
BM only shows up for the PLG love-fests, it’s only fair to have some balance when discussing PLG, specifically. No businesses, no good schools, relatively high crime and, IMHO, relatively over-priced real estate. I’m tired of the “proximity to the Park” argument carrying this grossly under-developed hood.
I think the ATP is making a mistake here. Sure, the big realtors bring their monied clients into the nabe, but then what? For the most part, their realtors don’t live in that neighborhood, know little about the neighborhood, and care little beyond selling a property and getting their commission, which is taken out of the neighborhood, as well.
ATP would be better served in perhaps gathering all of the local brokers together, and trying to figure out a strategy for bringing not only money into the neighborhood by way of wealthier homeowners, but working on ways to keep that money in the area. Local brokers live and work in the area, and know the area well. Some of them may not be as tech and internet savvy as the larger firms, and perhaps ATP could sponsor some kind of seminar to help them reach today’s market. Finally, they could all work on getting more varied commercial ventures into the area, especially on Flatbush.
It would benefit everyone to do this. They don’t need Corcoran or any of the others to ride in and save the neighborhood. That smacks of elitism, and not so subtle racism. The means of improving PLG (and any neighborhood) lies in the community already.
To the other guest, would you like to describe what other hoods you think suck?
A lot of neighborhoods share the characteristics you abhore about PLG, yet you only appear on this blog and others to hate on PLG. Please follow up with vitriolic comments about CH, BS and other nabes going through growth periods and/or have similar flaws.
Well, that’s really uesless, anonymous Guest Douche 10:44. How’s tricks in Louisville?
Bob, I always appreciate your posts. I believe it was you who recommended Fireside for relining and converting fireplaces to wood– I had them out for an estimate and am thinking of going with them. Just need to do a little more Better Business Bureau type checking, due diligence, etc. So thanks.
BM, what a cop out – no pun intended. A PLG posting – it’s been a while – and your ego is so big that you can’t help but respond. Anyway, your neighborhood still sucks and the lack of any quality businesses is a testament to that fact.
Besides, there probably aren’t many brokers who’re prepared to take a bullet in order to sell some shoddy condo in PLG.