Broker Specializing in UWS

Lisa Lippman... and it isn't close.

Awesome, thanks!

Actually, Geiringer at Elliman would be very good too, for your particular situation.

Of course, I could very well BE Lisa or Richard, and you would never know that I just recommended myself. Gotta love the Internet.

LOL! Well if you are Lisa, I look forward to talking to you later this afternoon!

You couldn't be Richard, since you suddenly discovered (and applauded) the pricing of 755 West End 5C.

I recommend myself!

h_g: I'd be happy to speak with you as well. Check out my listings at randny.com or my blog at nychousewhisperer.blogspot.com.

We focus most of our energy on the upper west side.
I'd be happy to provide references as well....

Nan Shipley

10023UWS: That post about 755 WEA was a pretty clever smokescreen, wasn't it? - R.G.

Seriously, though, a lot comes down to chemistry. Lippman's knowledge of the neighborhood is encyclopedic, and she's the kind of lethal genius you want on your side in a negotiation... as long as you can handle the nonstop ueber-broker barrage. Geiringer is more down-to-earth and patient, so if you're not a naturally decisive person and you don't want to feel railroaded, he might be a better fit.

West81st - Not only could you BE Lisa Lippman, but, you could also be h_g. Gotta love Streeteasy!

h_g, I would suggest meeting with a bunch of us before making any decision.

Well, I am going to speak to Lisa first and take it from there. My wife and I are both extremely indicisive (we couldn't even decide whether or not to use a broker!) so if she ends up being too pushy we will need to reconsider. Also, we are really in no hurry, which I think is the way to be in a market that seems like it will be down for quite some time (sorry other brokers).

lol. what is your price range h_g?

What do you guys think of the condos at 314 West 100th Street?

They're fine if you have lots of money and no clothes. Have you checked the closets? Also, I think the owner-occ percentage is quite low.

Nice work on the lobby, though. And the units are pretty.

Rachel FYI 500-550k.

h_g, would you consider Harlem at all? i know of a couple nice new bldgs where you could get a 2bed in that range.

Ha! Good one Rach..

no, no i'm serious! i assume you want at least 1000 sf, yes? I don't think you will find that below 110th st in that price range... for real!

800 sf is our minimum. Doesn't need to be actual 2 bdrm but has to have a usable extra office/nursery area (with a window). We are only interested in pre-war elevator buildings. And I agree our price is below asking on the UWS. But I have a feeling the right seller is there, nervously watching the carrying costs flow from their limited bank accounts ;) Luckily we are no hurry whatsover, and are happy to see 30 offers rejected before one gets accepted. But we are hopeful that a savvy broker will maximize our time.

Hey, looks like we found a buyer for 310 West 79th!
http://www.prudentialelliman.com/Listings.aspx?ListingID=964910

Two problems: High maintenance and the apparent need for quick action.

h_g, that is more realistic. u might have to put in a little work to it but you can find something 800 sf in that price range...

West81st, that is EXACTLY what we are looking for!! But maintenance is too high (and not pre-war)! Our plan is to find that apartment, with a similarly motivated seller, listed at $715 (down from 825) and get them to come down. It seems like this seller would take anything but unless they are paying our mortgage no thank you!!

It seems like a pre-war to me.

West 81st - why are you such a big fan of Lisa? I think she's okay - not terrific about returning calls. On par with Deanna Kory/Ann C Lenane.

nyc10023 - Funny you mentioned those two, because I would probably recommend them to somebody who needs to sell an eight-room apartment on 77th and CPW. This is a small, buy-side opportunity, and my impression is that Mr. and Mrs. h_g would wind up dealing mostly with a PYT underling. I understand your point about phone calls. Lippman and Moore do not seem to run the well-oiled machine that Kory does.

By the way, I've had no professional interaction with any of these agents for at least five years. I know one of them socially (not well, and it isn't Lippman). I'd rather not say anything more specific, for fear of outing myself.

Well, if I had to sell something at 77th & CPW, I'd pick Maria Pashby.

Never met her. Impressive market share on the Museum blocks, certainly. I just don't know her.

h_g, I admire your determination. Every broker will tell you "you have unrealistic expectations". If you don't hear that, you're not demanding enough.

I wonder whether, in fact, a savvy broker maximizes your efficiency. My strong feeling is that any broker will do the opposite, but I'll be interested to hear from you whether the broker you chose proves me wrong.

We expect to be in a similar position with a similar strategy (different apartment specs) in 6-12 months, and I'm open to using a buy-side broker if there's really value in it.

Another thought, h_g: If what you really need is a gentler (maternal?) touch, try Vicki Gershwin at BHS.

Take my feedback for what it's worth. In the prior life from which I am drawing these recommendations, I happen to have had much better experiences with BHS than Corcoran. Your mileage may vary, and probably will.

I met Deanna Kory at the open house for 41 West 96th Street #2C. She seemed nice, but I think she has some maternity leave in her future. Having not actually spoken to Lisa (expecting a call as I type) but exchanging numerous blackberry messages with her, I think we may have to find someone a little less intense.

Ok update. She is optimistic. However, she was talking about "doing a little work" in a 700 sf apartment, which is too small for us. But I think using her and working on our own may be the best of both worlds and that, even if we end up finding the place on our own, bringing her in to do the negotiation might make sense. Also, despite our recent obsession with street easy, you have to imagine she still has access to better information, especially word of mouth (does that even exist anymore?). So thanks for the reco West81st, more updates to come!

Good luck, h_g. Seems like you have a solid gameplan, and you have at least one very smart woman in your corner (probably two, counting your wife).