Finding raw spaces downtown

Please don't use the words 'trolling' and 'streeteasy' together in the same sentence, let alone the same post (or even thread, for that matter).

It's bad juju.

thanks for the helpful response.

this was my first post. still learning SE etiquette i guess

Why don't you get yourself a new broker then?

Front Porch, calling Front Porch.

It's tough mkt for raw spaces.....not much out there in Tribeca/Soho. Just continue checking streeteasy and the individual broker websites. I'm looking for a white box in Tribeca / Soho min 1700 sf actual living space and it's veeerrryyy hard to find.

dtown, as jakedavid suggests, inventory is pretty p-poor (and priced as though it were renovated when it comes up), but I'm happy to talk to you.

My firm is a Chelsea-based boutique (on The Real Deal's list of top ten boutiques in NYC) and we pretty much focus on downtown. We are members of the Real Estate Board of New York. Real estate is my second career (I guess it's everybody's second career) but I perhaps have more sense than the average broker.

ali r.
ali [at] dgneary [dot} com

read the threads that clearly detail why, certainly as a buyer, you dont need/want a broker--there is nothing postive they bring to the equation that you cant easily duplicate and likely improve on, via use of simple internet tools--SE, for example, with its great search/email alert features, and this very discussion board--in fact, as you have already learned, often buyers, these days end up directing their brokers re apts they want to see, based on the ease with which any old fool can find all listings at this point--in addition buyers brokers are expensive (3%) frankly, and, despite heartfelt assurances they will lay on you, have, by definition an agenda that will represent you poorly in negotiation

re pet policies, building financials, fin'l requirements for buyers, etc; a quick call/email (by you) to the listing broker will get you all info you need--not hearsay or filtered or steered based on some conflicting agenda; or , as is often the case, simple laziness or incompetence

For what it's worth (and it seems you understand this), it's extremely doubtful the board would lift its no-dogs policy for you--the whole reason to have a no-dogs policy is to keep dogs OUT; letting one or two sneak in here and there defeats the purpose... ;-)

I have been in you situation and have run the same search for 2 years.

Was finally successful on my own.

1) i am not sure what you describe is really out there now, but will/could be soon.

2) you need a really special broker.. i know only one but i am not going to throw his name out here

Wbottom it's clear you won't be using a buyers-broker, but I disagree that they don't offer a buyer anything positive. My model rebates 1.5-2% of the buy-side commission back to the buyer at closing. Our ability to be creative has also offset the cost of "flip-taxes" or a mansion tax. That along with being a valuable member of your team, including a CPA,attorney and lender. Our model guarantees you added value along with honest, transparent, knowledgeable (Ive been a broker in NYC for 20 years) representation, a true collaboration that rewards those buyers I call "Real estate quants" that participate in all aspects the transaction.

Keith Burkhardt
http://www.theburkhardtgroup.com/services-and-fees-c14358.html

"Only one"? That seems silly. Ruth Hardinger and Michael Norton could do this, Torsten Krines could do this, Richard Orenstein could do this, Tabak could do this, & Leonard Steinberg could do this, to name five people/teams who aren't me.

As far as the streeteasy point, I love the ease of looking at this data, but access to data ain't brokerage, by a long shot.

However let's not lose the larger point that inventory, while growing, is thin right now. Patience above all.

Ali r.
DG Neary Realty

"there is nothing postive they bring to the equation that you cant easily duplicate and likely improve on"

Sorry, that's just a silly one-size-fits-all approach to a "problem" that is simply different for everyone. Some (and many on this board obviously) can do just fine without a broker. Others may find their expertise helpful and time-saving. There's no question some brokers offer more than others, but to just flat-out say that "there is nothing positive they bring" is a shallow comment and not really helpful.

dtownloft, my suggestion would be to narrow your search down to those loft buildings that you would seriously consider buying in and simply save them to your buildings list on Streeteasy. It's not that there's a ton of inventory out there, but if you can narrow your focus to say a dozen buildings, you'll be in a good position to pounce if anything worthwhile pops up. Good luck!

dtownloft: what kind of resources do you have? Are you in a position to convert a property yourself?
http://streeteasy.com/nyc/sale/574020-multi-71-mercer-street-soho-new-york
The building has four IMD tenants, but there is a free market unit. I'm not super familiar with loft law, but I believe if there are fewer than 6 residential units you should catch a break as far as rent regulations are concerned.
Tina
(Brooklyn agent)

check out Manhattan Loft Guy, he's a broker that markets himself as focusing on downtown lofts. Or check out his blog..

-j