Upper West Side Classic 5

Just steps from the park this prewar classic 5 has received 1268 web visitors in 7 days. While most open houses were cancelled today 32 West 82nd Street had over 40 visitors. There is obviously a shortage of inventory that many naysayers are not willing to accept. Most of them are posting on StreetEasy.com and giving false advise like bidding low etc.

360 East 72nd Street

One of the top coops on the Upper East Side! Since the building converted in 1971 there has NEVER been an assessment and the maintenance is well below $1 per square foot. The building has done extensive maintenance and is planning to put in a gym---all without raising the already crazy low monthly charges. There is a roofdeck, laundry, 24 hour doorman and it's a pet friendly building. The coop board is very reasonable and allows parents buying for children and guarantors. It's perfect for first time buyers who may need some help from parents and the low charges make it more affordable.

Is New York City Prepared for a Hurricane?

Want to know if your apartment building is in a hurricane evacuation zone? Go to gis.nyc.gov/oem/he/index.htm

Office of Emergency Management's hurricane evacuation map for New York City can be found at nyc.gov/hurricane. Click on the link "Ready New York Hurricane Brochure" at the bottom of the page then click map. It is available in 11 languages.

Federal Emergency Management Agency's maps of flood zones can be found at gis.nyc.gov/dob/fm/index.htm

plaNYC--the city's program for improving infrastructure and quality of life can be found at nyc.gov/planyc2030

Long Island City Condo

5th Street Lofts 5sl.com 3 bedroom 2 baths over 1500sf for $1,000,000+ and taxes only about $100 per month with fitness center, garage, roof deck, children's playroom. All 1 stop from Grand Central Station. Long Island City has just begun with many new condos popping up, it's just a matter of time and LIC will be the next Soho! Other great buildings are The Gantry, View 59, The Echelon, Queens Plaza, and the Badge Building, and Arris Lofts.

New York City Rents Out of Control

Renters are fed up with the astronomical rents in New York City and have now decided that buying is a better investment when factoring in tax deductions. It feels like 2005 all over again with renters jumping into the market out of frustration of high rents. That coupled with the still crazy low interest rates is once again driving the sales market and creating a shortage of inventory and bidding wars once again. I guess the naysayers were wrong and the people who waited on the sidelines for the crash made a big mistake. There is still hope for those people who missed the party as I believe Long Island City is going to explode in the next few years. The fact that it is one to two stops from Midtown will make it very attractive, it's the next Soho. So don't wait--get in now!

Psychology of Pricing

On the cover of today's real estate section I agreed with every word and strategy in that article except for the one from Barbara Fox who prices 5% higher to leave room for negotiation. In the new market that has emerged I believe in pricing at what it should be and even slightly lower because the more competitive pricing tends to draw more buyers which in turn leads to competitive bids while allowing the market to set the correct price without leaving money on the table. The first thing buyers ask "How long has it been on the market?" If it has lingered they think something is wrong with it or if no one else wants this place why do I? While biddings wars can be frustrating some buyers may feel if everyone else wants this apartment it must be good. Bottom line --unrealistic pricing just doesn't work anymore.

Customer Loyalty

What makes you loyal to one person besides just good customer service? How many people would work with their broker again and why or why not?