Posted by Leonard Steinberg on January 29th, 2012

To-day had to be one of the very busiest Sunday’s in New York real estate in a long time…at least since the 2007/2008 peak. I did 12 appointments, a record amount even compared to a busy week-day. The buyers were all 100% serious and focused. And the average price-point of property showed was about $ 4million. Heard during the appointments:

1)   How are all those sharply reduced banker bonuses going to impact the New York luxury real estate market?

2)  Are the BRIC BUYERS buying lots? What percentage of the market do they constitute? (The perception is that it’s 50%…..they are wrong: its closer to 10% at the most in my estimation).

3)  Why are monthlies/taxes all over the map? Who decides who pays more or less?

4)  (To a man with a large, long-haired dog)How can you live with that thing shedding all over your apartment? Answer: “I have a Miele vac!”

5)  Murphy beds are so much more comfortable that pull-out sofa’s for guests, although a too-comfortable houseguest can become an extended stay housepest…. scratchy sheets could fix that problem.

6)  Quartzite is much more durable/scratch resistent that marble, granite, limestone or stainless steel for countertops.

7)  Just-finished, empty white-walled apartments look sad and bare compared to furnished or staged apartments.

8) A super-unfriendly doorman sending prospective buyers away (Owners in building take note!).