The WORST thing a person can do if they want to sell

Didn't the Times do an entire article on this?

Who knows, but the OP is correct. No apartment suites everyone, so subjecting a listing to scrutiny on an anonymous internet forum is not productive.

Yes they did, and I mentioned that in the other thread. They actually specifically called out the PAS407 thread we discussed here.

"Who knows, but the OP is correct. No apartment suites everyone, so subjecting a listing to scrutiny on an anonymous internet forum is not productive."

Its RE suicide to be honest.....

I agree, fall silent.

I will disagree with this, UESBandit. Sometimes the flaws of an apartment would work perfectly for someone who might not otherwise have seen it. I don't particularly mind small bedrooms, for example, as long as there are decent closets. People could rail all they wanted to about the fact and it wouldn't change my stance. The NYT article was taking a particularly negative view of the SE discussion boards, and as discussed with some of the people interviewed for it the quotes were selected to back up that viewpoint.

"I will disagree with this, UESBandit. Sometimes the flaws of an apartment would work perfectly for someone who might not otherwise have seen it."

Let me put it this way; unless the apartment is a large 3 bed 3 bath, with a large south facing terrace, on the top floor, with an immaculate lobby, with LOW monlies, near the subway, near the park, in the best possible area, AND priced at less than $600 psf ITS A TERRIBLE IDEA TO POST HERE ABOUT IT!

I hope that clears up any confusion on the matter.

UESBandit: I dream of the day I see that listing first.

where is the link to the NYT article? do they specifically reference the 407 post or is it veiled? i have to see that.

i actually posted my FSBO open houses and website on here back in january...and to be honest i think i may have been the "inspiration" for 407PAS to post his open house listing because i did it several times prior to him ever doing it it and he mentioned it to me on a few threads (teasing me about how i dropped my web link in every post i made on a thread).

some people gave me shit but i think i posted about it in a good natured way ("warm cookies, scotch" etc.). people definitely were critical but i first started posting on here as a "sponge," looking to soak up any info i could get to help me come up with proper pricing and to help me market my place better. some of the criticism opened my eyes and i made changes that were probably for the better. i even got some great pro bono help on my website. when i didn't agree i did not get into long draw out battles over opinion.

my point is, it is a risky proposition to put it up for scrutiny but how you react to the slings and arrows can make a world of difference on your experience.

sniper, did your place sell?

If you seek opinion your own resolve will be diluted.

I disagree bandit, posting on SE or similar sites makes great sense if you are honest about the apartment. Every apt has it's pluses and minuses. Buyers are so inured to fantasy listings imagine how they would react to a seller or broker who actually was factual? In this market being honest and up front would make a listing stand out.

"where is the link to the NYT article? do they specifically reference the 407 post or is it veiled? i have to see that."

They thinly veiled it, however it was VERY clear to anyone who reads this board. I read the first few sentences and almost fell off my chair. If PAS407 saw it he most likely had a heart attack.

I so agree, UESBandit. Never id yourself or your property on this board!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kyle, I think he's in contract. I remember the warm cookies threads. PAS was a good poster; where did he go?

I've seen people here tear apart apartments that most of us can only dream about owning. I would never post a FSBO on SE Talk.

The WORST thing a person can do if they want to sell is to overprice their listing like most do!

Posting anything on SE about the building you live in (selling or not) is very risky. I agree with UESBandit.

evnyc: PAS disappeared. He was digitally lynched by some of the good folks here, who, no doubt will defend themselves by asserting he deserved it, asked for it by over pricing his apt. After watching what was done to PAS, ya realize there are some very angry & destructive people in this world who beat up on the naive. After watching what happened to PAS, I'd never id myself or my prop on this board, there's too many psychos out there who need a whipping boy.

correct evnyc. i am in contract.

kyle - if i remember correctly you had something to say that originally came on a bit harsh but was good advice that i took and was very helpful. you have to have a VERY thick skin if you put your place up here.

I think some here harsly criticize apts. that are posted since they are jealous that they can't afford it and it makes them feel all warm inside to viciously attack those who have what they want.

The worst thing a person could do when he/she wants to sell...price it incorrectly.

I'm not sure I entirely agree with you UESBandit. Where else can one go for some advice (impartial or otherwise), if not here? At least there's nobody blowing smoke up anybody's ass, and for some, the feedback could be invaluable. I think Valerie got some good advice this morning and is now acting upon it. A better approach is to forewarn posters that their listing could get trashed should they decide to put it up for scrutiny. A solid SE trashing could turn some people away, but on the other hand it could offer additional exposure to a great space and promote a sale.

As I recall, PAS refused to offer warm cookies. What happened to him after that is just never discussed by the townsfolk.

there is a big difference between unfair criticism and criticism. strikes me that most comments about valerie's place were fair. the square footage is clearly overstated and some other key components of the listing are misleading. the arguments given to support the fact that the price is too high were clearly laid out and she can decide whether or not she agrees.

Obviously the trolls who get their jollies by trashing apartments they cannot afford can be mollified with warm cookies. Now really, is that so bad?

PAS did get unfairly reamed, though. I wish him well. But Sniper and others have survived. I think part of the value of the boards would be that you're not so dependent upon one expert's opinion. Valerie's broker priced the place too high and dropped it a week later. Whatever the dynamics behind that decision, it doesn't suggest that the broker was too confident in the pricing, nor does Valerie posting it here indicate deep trust for her broker. She might not like hearing that her place has flaws or is overpriced, but it's good information.

yes, sniper, I think i said things about how to improve the photos if I recall. in any event, congrats on the contract. contrary to some opinions, sales are indeed taking place. my building had 4 apts go to contract in last 2 months and has virtually no availability now. that's largely becuase the layouts are good, the maintenance is manageable, location is great. my old building is another story: just ok location, way too high maintenance, some good but many poor layouts; in that chelsea building, the inventory is soaring and price reductions aren't doing anything to help.

Alan,
Always the voice of reezon. Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery", but with cold cookies.

This board isn't inveterately hostile to sellers or brokers. Mostly, it's just a smart group that doesn't suffer fools gladly. Minding a few simple DOs and DON'Ts seems to minimize trouble:

DO:
Clearly state your connection to the property in your initial post.
Correct factual inaccuracies posted by others, as concisely and clearly as possible.

DON'T
Start threads about your own property/listing.
Argue matters of opinion or taste.
Make statements you can't support with evidence.
Depart from your subject and deirect comps to engage in a debate about the market as a whole.

Yeah, the people that get whalloped are the ones who try and hide their agendas...

Actually there was a thread about a week or 10 days ago were the seller was roundly praised because he had changed the original floorplan with a better one in pdf, and was listing at a very reasonable price, and seemed candid and very level-headed. Maybe someone can unearth it.