Propteries taken off Streeteasy

In some cases, it is rented. But that is typically accompanied by a rental listing over the same period.

Other times, a sale did happen but the agent did not update. Eventually, a sale record will show up if this occurred.

Most often, they didn’t get a satisfactory offer and simply pulled the listing. The tell-tale sign of this is a 3- or 6-month listing period, the duration of typical agent contracts .

Sometimes it goes away with none of the above signs, which typically means the seller changed their mind for other reasons.

To answer your last question: Since you know the address and the unit #, send the owner a letter asking if they'd consider a direct offer.

Also sometimes a listing that's been up for a while will get pulled and then relisted a few weeks later as 'newly listed' so it doesn't have loser stink all over it.

@inonada - thank you - makes sense.

@aaron2 - I'd thought of it. Seems kind of bold but I guess nothing ventured...

@pinecone - yes, I've noticed that sometimes - cheers

@MTH: Thanks. I think in real estate, boldness is rewarded, particularly in NYC. The best deals are generally not the ones done by shrinking violets constantly consulting their copy of Emily Post. A little initiative (even aggression) can go a long way.

@Aaron2 - I'd try it. How do you even do that? Contact the owner? There's a studio in Manhattan Valley that is a stunner and it was pulled from Streeteasy months ago

I know, I know... In the days of text messages, Twitter, and Instagram, people have forgotten the tried and true methods.

As I said, you know the street address and the unit #, so you could send a letter to 'owner', but that's not a very personal start. I'd use ACRIS to look up the building and find unit owner's name (or give the doorman $20), so you have some better chance of your letter being opened (also helps if it's handwritten, on good stationery).

"Dear Mrs. Bennington-Smythe -- I saw your lovely apartment listed for sale several months ago, but I wasn't able to arrange a viewing or make an offer at that time. If you are still interested in selling your unit, I would be interested in talking to you, with a view toward a purchase. If you are still interested, please let me know. I can be reached at (your street address, your phone, your email). Sincerely, Mauritius Terwilliger Habsburg"

Really, it's not that hard...

Oops, too much use of the word 'interested', and not quite aggressive enough at the end. It's the problem of editing in a small box.

"... I would like to talk with you, with a view toward a purchase. I can be reached at.... ... and look foward to hearing from you."

I ask as a broker: Is there some reason you're not reaching out to the broker the property was last listed with first? People hire me because they *want* an intermediary.

If they de-list, it might be because they fired me and are in an interim period before they hire someone else, but it's much more likely that their circumstances have changed. In that case, they might still be open to hearing offers, but if a letter came in the mail, 1) it would get kicked over to me anyway and 2) the offeror would be behind a half-step if it was perceived they were trying to do an unbrokered deal.

@Aaron2 - thank you! That all makes sense.

@front_porch - I see yes that could be one issue but I could just add a line stating 'or to be put in touch with your broker, if you prefer' or words to that effect. I will certainly need a broker myself although I have looked at two places owned by brokers - there are situations where sellers may not need one.

MTH, if you're not anti-broker I think that would be gracious.

Are you after the 14th Floor Studio? I liked that one.

I'm on the UWS, so ping me at upstairsrealty [at] gmail if you'd like my help. Just put "streeteasy" in the subject line so I can find it.

ali r.
[upstairs realty]