Virtual Reno or Staged Furniture

George, This is your opportunity to criticize shady NYC brokers and perhaps reach out to the head of legal at Corcoran if you believe reno is virtual.

Here's what it actually looks like.

https://images.app.goo.gl/LZNFNyw2rc5uB5vT7

I'd welcome hearing anyone who wants to defend this practice.

Actually try this link instead. They did a good job scrubbing photos from the prior listing.

https://www.google.com/search?q=251+w+89th+st+4as&client=ms-unknown&prmd=msniv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiqgpGFtsftAhVix1kKHTKcAM4Q_AUoBHoECAQQBA&biw=412&bih=757&dpr=2.63#imgrc=Zpgpw15th12XaM

Or perhaps this one. For the same price as before, you can get a virtually renovated place.

https://streeteasy.com/sale/1442605

Wow that is brazen, even for the brokerage industry.

There has been lots worse (most of the 'architect's renderings of yet-to-be-built units, for starters), and Streeteasy has done away with their own policy of how absurdly fanciful listing photos could be, which should be to their shame. At least the brokerbabble clearly states that the photos are staged.

Well “staged” means furniture etc which is not for sale. There is nothing wrong with it and I do not think most people will have any problem with it. But when it is “virtual reno” as in kitchen shown in the pictures doesn’t exist, it should be “architectural renderings” or “virtual reno” or eqt disclaimer. This listing only says staged in the description at the bottom.

This is a farce. Broker should be ashamed.

If the copy says 'bring your architect', that's a strong clue. Looks like an old SRO.

Yes. If the copy says “bring your architect /contractor”, “ready for your vision” etc most people will understand. But it does not seem like enough people complain to senior people in the listing broker’s firm or Rebny or to licensing board.

How about a virtual un-renovation? https://streeteasy.com/building/potter-building/8a

It starts off simple enough, removing the owner's tacky LR additions in favor of the generic contemporary-minimal pieces you see in every other listing. But when you move upstairs, they start to sneak in wood flooring that's not present in the "before" pics. Tricksy.

Forgot to mention, 'shopping out the A/C units is also kind of shady. There's a reason this building has low maintenance for its size & age. (Still one of my favorites, but there are tradeoffs...)

(argh, mixed up my 19th-century Nassau St buildings -- Morse @ 140 is the one with low-ish maintenance, Potter @ 145 is grander but more expensive)