House of the Day: A Lesson in Poor Marketing
Cardinal rule of real estate marketing: Don’t use a photo that implies that a property has been sitting around on the market for six months. People are going to get very suspicious. Is the price too high? Is the interior a disaster? Is the seller a crook? These suspicions are only compounded when there is…
Cardinal rule of real estate marketing: Don’t use a photo that implies that a property has been sitting around on the market for six months. People are going to get very suspicious. Is the price too high? Is the interior a disaster? Is the seller a crook? These suspicions are only compounded when there is a coincident lack of interior photos. Which brings us to today’s house of the day at 230 Greene. The 3 1/2 story (we’re only giving that mansard-roofed top floor half credit) house at Grand Avenue in Clinton Hill looks nice enough from the outside. But that’s all we’ve got to go on–except for our festering suspicions. We’re guessing that this is about $100,000 overpriced, though it could be more if it needs more than a tune-up.
230 Greene Avenue [Craigslist] GMAP P*Shark
Also listed here:
230 Greene Avenue [Aguayo & Huebener]
A year or two ago, the photo wouldn’t have mattered.
I do think that while B’stoner provides a valuable forum to share thoughts, his “opinions” can potentially be harmful when incorrect as they were in the case of the sale of my former house and unfortunately there is no accountability for that.
In my case Brownstoner commented that the original details of my former house must have been salvaged, which was WRONG, they were the originals and there were other inaccuracies. He also suggested that my former house could be had for less than the asking price. Although I don’t give him enough credit to say that he’s influencing the market, it’s possible/likely that he could be influencing a few potential buyers that take his opinions as gospel. I’m sure that everyone would agree that they wouldn’t appreciate someone else’s baseless speculation on their property because of the potential for harm.
It’s not illegal in the securities business because (a) there could be an increase in future value and (b) only a moron would rely on that quote in buying the property and courts don’t protect morons (they protect reasonable investors).
If you want to talk ethics, how about the A&H verbiage that claims the location in “Clinton Hill which assures an increase in future value.” Now that is unethical. In the securities business, it is also illegal.
A&H pics do make the place look more appealing.
I’m not out on a limb. I stand by my comments. And I tip my hat to Shahn Anderson who was at least able to come up with reasons to justify a price reduction.
Oh, and in terms of journalistic standards, it seems that b’er didn’t even have the current “411” on the listing.
Anon2, I hazard you are out on a limb here.
The premise of the House of the Day is this: is the offering price of aa property above or below the market price?
That is an intersting question — interesting at least to those who follow these sorts of matters, such as the readers of this board.
Let us remember that the offering price is not a secret. In fact, it is normally used as part of the marketing campaign by a realtor to communicate to prospective buyers information about the property.
In the future however you may want to put your finger on something that bothers you before you publicly question someone’s ethics.
reminder: it is aguayo & huebner marketing the place. they aren’t very good at what they do, but for the cheapskates out there who only want to pay 3%, you get what you pay for! if instead you went with a company that co-brokes, does floorplans and has a plethora of agents then you would have updated photos, hell you’d have sold the place by now, but….
It seems to me that any comments made by brownstoner regarding price are in the context of a Question. And its doubtful that a statement made by brownstoner would influence a serious buyer of this property.
Opinions are like A$$holes… Everyone’s got one!
Caveat Emptor!