Posted by Leonard Steinberg on April 22, 2011 I have noticed all around us a distinct trend: fat is being trimmed in the biggest way in all arenas of our lives, including real estate. Here are my observations: 1) The New York Times reported yesterday how the desire for less bloated homes across the country… [Read More]
HIGHLINE CONDO SELLING PRICE BREAKS ALL RECORDS
Posted by Leonard Steinberg on April 21, 2011 We have heard through the grapevine that a non-penthouse, full floor unit at HL-23, the Neil Denari designed building that hovers over the Highline Park at 23rd Street in West Chelsea, just went to contract for over $ 2,600/sf without any outdoor space…..that would have to be… [Read More]
ENERGY SAVING NOW: DON'T WAIT FOR THE GOVERNMENT!
Posted by Leonard Steinberg on April17, 2011 New York City is a city large enough to showcase how smart business, common sense and critical mass can impact huge shifts in our daily lives: and now the focus turns to energy savings. While the world waits for ‘government’ to come up with some new invention to… [Read More]
UNREALITY REAL ESTATE
Posted by Leonard Steinberg on April 17, 2011 This week I was again shocked and amused by the power of a Reality TV show over the mind of a seller: Does a TV appearance really double the value of an apartment? I had met with an owner several months ago after a meeting a year… [Read More]
SUPPLY DISRUPTIONS
Posted by Leonard Steinberg on April 13, 2011 The world is learning the painful reliance we have on one another where because of Japan’s horrible disaster, many components manufactured there are slowing down the production of products made elsewhere around the globe. These supply disruptions affect pricing in a meaningful way. A similar supply disruption… [Read More]
ALL BUILDINGS SEEKING TO RE-FINANCE DEBT SHOULD KNOW THIS
Posted by Leonard Steinberg on April 11, 2011 Many buildings seeking to re-finance their debt to take advantage of the still historically low rates, come across a little problem …..pre-payment penalties. With the potential for rising interest rates increasing daily, those wishing to re-finance now cannot do so as the pre-payment penalties are often severe…. [Read More]
"I AM NOT WORKING WITH A BROKER!" ARE BUYER'S BROKERS DOOMED?
Posted by Leonard Steinberg on April 10, 2011 I have repeatedly heard the refrain “I am not working with a broker!” in the fifteen plus years I have been a broker. The words are said by some buyers almost with a sense of pride and accomplishment. And they are often heard by listing brokers who relish… [Read More]
MY WAR ON CABS
Posted by Leonard Steinberg on April 9, 2011 Cabs in New York City have become expensive. Still they are not nearly as expensive as those in London or some other cities. I don’t particularly mind paying for this service as it is one that I find extremely convenient and efficient. I had thought of getting… [Read More]
AMERICAN IDOL REPORTING
Posted by Leonard Steinberg on April 9, 2011 This week, Amercan Idol fans were shocked when one of the shows biggest talents, Pia, was voted off the show…..it was another reminder of the dangers of mass tastes dictating. Without Simon Cowell, the judges superficial, uneducated, Jenny-from-the-block evaluation failed us all. I feel the same way about real… [Read More]
THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD SLEEP AND A GOOD BEDROOM
Posted by Leonard Steinberg on April 6, 2011 The Wall Street Journal just reported on that small segment of society that thrives on very, very little sleep. However, out of every 100 people who believe they only need five or six hours of sleep a night, only about five people really do. The rest end… [Read More]