Real Estate Blogs: Double-Edged Swords
The opening sentence of the cover story of this weekend’s NY Times Real Estate section sets up the article with a false premise: “As unsold properties proliferate and encounters with the scalpel fail to move them, some New York City sellers are being undermined by an often nameless enemy.” See, we’d argue that the sellers…
The opening sentence of the cover story of this weekend’s NY Times Real Estate section sets up the article with a false premise: “As unsold properties proliferate and encounters with the scalpel fail to move them, some New York City sellers are being undermined by an often nameless enemy.” See, we’d argue that the sellers aren’t being undermined at all (except in the case when actually false information is put forth). Rather, in our view, sites like Curbed, Brownstoner and StreetEasy are just expediting the process of bringing sellers’ expectations in line with the market—and calling lazy brokers to task for providing insufficient information and sub-par photographs. Input from thousands of other market-savvy readers can also help to bring much needed transparency and frankness to the process, all of which—hopefully—makes the market more efficient. People are asking questions they can’t ask their broker, and they’re really interested in the qualitative perspective, in getting opinions of people,” said Dawn Doherty, the vice president for strategic development at StreetEasy.com. While there have been instances of brokers and owners identifying themselves and countering criticism successfully on Brownstoner in the past, some brokerages are clear gun-shy, and probably with some reason. We basically do not allow our agents to post comments without prior approval, because we think it’s a can of worms, said Diane Ramirez, the president of Halstead Property. Unless something is egregiously incorrect, it’s almost better to let it die, because if you comment on it, it takes on a life of its own. Some brokers realize that, more often that not, the benefits of publicity are worth the price of a few online pot-shots.
Snark Attack [NY Times]
I don’t expect Brownstoner or any other blog to live up to the standards of the NY Times. But I do expect full disclosure if the blogger is featuring a property that he was “invited” to feature by a friend, realtor, or anyone. Brownstoner has in the past indicated that an advertiser invited him to view a property. The same disclosure was required in this case.
Maybe it was for a “Friend With Benefits.” That would be an example of a snarky comment.
benson- I remember it very well- I also know some of the people involved and must reiterate, there is a lot of background, and the homeowner involved is partially responsible for the entire situation. When they say what goes around, comes around, this is the guy they have in mind.
I’m not disagreeing with you re full disclosure, for those issues and situations where it is proper. But why do you feel Jon owes it to anyone because this is a blog, not a newspaper. Blogs are personal websites- that’s a basic premise. I’m not trying to have a confrontation with you- I like debating with you, and you personally. But because I do respect your opinion (even when I’m not agreeing with it 🙂 ) I’m really interested in knowing why there is such animus.
i have no problem with mr. b featuring a property on request, whether it’s for a friend or random person. that’s his prerogative.
but that’s not all that happened. according to the article, once the ft. greene co-op seller got her home listed on the site as a co-op of the day, she praised the property anonymously without disclosing that she was the seller. all in all, a little sketchy.
here’s the thread (the seller is apparently “dianabanana”):
http://snipurl.com/hc6kb
“I’m not used to journals where the publisher complains about his regulars, delights in the mis-fortune of folks opposed to his way of thinking, and (apparently) can be approached about the use of his blog to help sell an apartment.”
The blogosphere is NOT journalism. This is the Wild West of communications.
“there are ridiculous assumptions and flat out lies.”
Yeah…that never happens here.
“benson- what interest would Jon have in the apartment?”
At the least, (presumably) he was helping out a friend. I guess that has all sorts of potential benefits and implications.
Jon has had the HOTD for years, and the COTD for slightly less time. I always felt that he was highlighting interesting properties because they were either 1)Indicative of changes/trends in the marketplace, both good and bad 2)Fine examples of period architecture in whatever neighborhood the house/apt was in 3)Way cool, different and/or interesting in their own right, and worthy of attention.
The house porn aspect of it appeals to me – I will never get into a fraction of interesting houses through friendship, business or tours, real estate photos let me see period detail, layout and decor in a variety of places. It’s harmless, and fun. Some people use the HOTD and COTD to get an idea of comps, and some people have actually gone out and bought these houses from seeing them on Brownstoner.
Throughout this process everyone who cares to has put in their $.02. Sometimes snarky, sometimes downright cruel, sometimes complimentary. Some very interesting discussions have come out of the House of the Day, sometimes pure drivel, sometimes hardly any comments at all. This is a real estate site. It’s good to actually look at real estate. I don’t see it being any more complicated, or sinister, than that.
Bxgrl;
Aw come on!!!!!! The article in question is only a few weeks old, but if you need your memory refreshed, here it is:
http://bstoner.wpengine.com/brownstoner/archives/2009/04/what_was_eugene.php#comments
He does NOT celebrate the victory in the landmark case. Rather, he invites all to “cop some schadenfreude” at the twentyfive percent cut in the asking price of the opponent’s property.
If you think that asking for full disclosure is “miscontruing the rules”, well, we’ll just have to disagree, and leave it at that.
http://instantrimshot.com/
Agreed, benson- snark or snide- it’s a slippery slope indeed.:-)