Calling all FSBOS...A better idea?

email updates Rockrose is paying broker fee and free month in West Village...
38 comments
theburkhardtgroup
4 days ago
ignore this person I have not seen this in their West Village buildings for maybe 10 years. I'm upping the ante and throwing in either a $500 dollar or $1000 dollar gift card to Street easy users. Is self promotion frowned upon on this board?

theburkhardtgroup
3 days ago
ignore this person happyrenter and others thank you for pointing out the obvious. I understand there are reasons why one chooses to use a service or not use a service and most of the time money plays a role in that decision. But the anger and vulgarity associated with discussing this process is something I don't understand. We are just talking about the rental and sale of apartments and in this case the offer could be favorable to someone looking to live in the West Village. Through my company I am trying to address the inequity of brokerage commissions in NYC.

After 17 years I can assure you there are people that appreciate the service a good broker can provide, it makes there life easier...for them it's a justifiable expense. Like the maid, a garage for the car,travel agent, financial planner, private golf, first class seating and the list goes on. They don't want or perhaps have the time to search the classifieds, surf the web, run out at lunch to an on-site office or look at apartments on the weekend they have very little knowledge of. A good broker has first hand knowledge of what is available and all the particulars of the building, schools and neighborhood. This may not be worth 15% of a years rent, but it is worth something to some people, and so far my clients are pleased with my new fee structure. Real Estate is a service/relationship business that some people are willing to pay up for. Our services can really be very important to someone who has just been transfered to New York and doesn't have it all wired like some of you. Peace out.

The Roots of Anger
by Thich Nhat Hanh
Anger is rooted in our lack of understanding of ourselves and of the causes, deep-seated as well as immediate, that brought about this unpleasant state of affairs. Anger is also rooted in desire, pride, agitation, and suspicion. The primary roots of our anger are in ourselves. Our environment and other people are only secondary. It is not difficult for us to accept the enormous damage brought about by a natural disaster, such as an earthquake or a flood. But when damage is caused by another person, we don't have much patience. We know that earthquakes and floods have causes, and we should see that the person who has precipitated our anger also has reasons, deep-seated and immediate, for what he has done.

For instance, someone who speaks badly to us may have been spoken to in exactly the same way just the day before, or by his alcoholic father when he was a child. When we see and understand these kinds of causes, we can begin to be free from our anger. I am not saying that someone who viciously attacks us should not be disciplined. But what is most important is that we first take care of the seeds of negativity in ourselves. Then if someone needs to be helped or disciplined, we will do so out of compassion, not anger and retribution. If we genuinely try to understand the suffering of another person, we are more likely to act in a way that will help him overcome his suffering and confusion, and that will help all of us.

theburkhardtgroup
about 8 weeks ago
ignore this person
report abuse As owners and/or prospective buyers-sellers what do you think of this new business model. On the rental side it has been a success. I am considering dipping my toe back into the sales market as a sellers broker as well. And for all the bitter Betty's out there this is not another broker trick, just looking for some honest feedback. Thanks in advance.

http://theburkhardtgroup.com/about.php

theburkhardtgroup
about 7 weeks ago
ignore this person
report abuse I am a broker that offers discount fees, if you are unable to find something that works for you give me a call. My clients never have to sign fee agreements and my fee can be as low as half a months rent. I am also in the process of working out some arrangements with owners to be paid by them, it would be a nominal fee so the rent won't be anymore than going to them directly. www.theburkhardtgroup.com

theburkhardtgroup
9 days ago
ignore this person
report abuse I am already working off a new model and I have 17 years of experience as a broker in NYC to back it up,have handled transactions for David Schwimmer to first time studio buyers. Getting the consumer to work outside of the mainstream brokerage model is my biggest challenge, but I am making progress. I am not looking to change the market on my own, but I can offer my buyers, sellers and rental clients a new way to conduct business that is highly efficient and gives them more leverage in doing a deal.

You can not alienate the brokerage community and still do business here in a effective manner.But you can find a broker that has a flexible model that will allow you to work within the present system and not diminish your ability to complete a successful transaction.

A good example is how financial brokerages changed, it use to cost me $300 to buy $250 shares of GE. Then Schwab came along and I was paying $29 dollars now I pay $10. Believe me the guys at Merrill didn't think it would work...

I think for it to change here on a large scale will take a well funded major player to roll out a company that looks and smells like the big firms. This could happen sooner than later as I have had a meeting with such a person with just this idea. But ultimately for this to be successful the consumer has to get behind it. People may complain about the current model but most want to list with or work with a big firm. I know this first hand as when I worked for a firm that did not specialize in sales I had to work twice as hard to get a listing. Even though I could offer the same services, a better marketing plan, flexible exclusive agreement-it was a fight to keep their business. And these were mostly referrals from previously satisfied customers.

I think it's good that there are people out there trying to do things differently. I love what I do and have been making a good living and friends along the way. I am just trying to adapt to a changing market place, not re-invent the wheel. But I think things are changing and will have to change especially if our economy continues to deteriorate. Low interest rates and the "printing" of currency may not be enough to turn this train around and steer us into the next bull market. But give it about 3-5 years all will be forgotten and it will be like deja vu all over again. :).

FSBOS? Any feedback would be appreciated...good, bad and the ugly.