Open House Picks

DIBS, I’ll be the first to concede that different neighborhoods (and blocks, and buildings, etc) hit the plateau at different times. Bed Stuy and (somehow) Carroll Gardens continued to appreciate past 2004… other neighborhoods did not.

In fact the reason I noticed this is that by 2005 or so the value of my apartment had just about tripled, and I started to think about cashing in and moving to Carroll Gardens. But as I thought about it, and continued to think about it (it’s not a decision I can make quickly), I became completely priced out of Carroll Gardens, while comps in my building did not move an inch (seriously).

Now I have no idea what do do. I might still cash out, to get peak price. Then maybe look in PLG or Kensington or somewhere. Or maybe rent for a while.

(Nothing wrong with buying at peak, by the way – as long as you can afford a place, and you love it, and you stay for a while, that’s just fine.)

“For $550K, you’re lucky if the house is clean for the showing, let alone the photo shoot.”

When we sold our PS coop for $600K a couple years ago I scrubbed the place for our broker and kept cleaning it constantly while we were selling it. Cleared every single piece of clutter on every surface for photos, and again for open houses and even for every single private showing we had. Bought flowers for photos and continually throughout the time we had the place on the market. Flowers are a minimal investment. $10 for some hydrangeas or roses at the flower market on 7th Ave next to the supermarket. I never see any reason for showing your place looking dirty and gross no matter what the price. It’s just lazy. And imagine what the apartment looked like while the people were living there, if it’s filthy while they’re trying to sell it. Consciously or unconsciously buyers will think there’ll be mice and roaches if they move in there.

when did we have the 2 bathrooms discussion? I thought I was like a voice alone in the wildnerness on that topic. Everyone loves their 2 bathrooms and new kitchen…

My sensitivity is triggered by photos so dark, you can’t tell what kind of room you’re looking at. How can anyone expect to get a positive reaction from that? You are very funny, dittoburg.

Pet peeve – I know all real estate agents aren’t historians, but surely, as people presumably living in New York City, they should know that this limestone was not built, in 1930. I know that is probably what is erroneously listed in ACRIS, but that doesn’t even make sense. I would have gone with a general “turn of the century”.