Author Archives: Doug Heddings

Slow Sales at 455 Central Park West are No Shocker

Posted on July 21, 2006 by Doug Heddings

Much has been written about 455 Central Park West, which is a developer’s bold attempt to make a top-shelf condo building out of a cancer hospital next to the projects on 105th street. (A big article in New York, for … Continue reading →

Posted in Market Insight, New Developments | 5 Comments

Real Estate Journal: Don’t Count on Home Equity as Retirement Income

Posted on July 20, 2006 by Doug Heddings

Marketwatch’s Amy Hoak reports at the Real Estate Journal: A recent Securities Industry Association retirement study identified a "wealth effect" that surfaced as homeowners amassed equity in their properties and perceived they had less of a need to save. Factors … Continue reading →

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Boston Agents Coached to Price Low

Posted on July 19, 2006 by Doug Heddings

The Boston Globe’s Kimberly Blanton reports: The hope is low prices will attract more prospective buyers, leading to faster sales. Other real estate agents in the Boston area report success with similar strategies in a housing market with an unprecedented … Continue reading →

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Pete Hamill: Big Things Come and Go, and That’s New York

Posted on July 18, 2006 by Doug Heddings

All over New York, there are people who are upset about this or that building coming or going. I totally understand that urge. But one thing always strikes me: it’s hard to make the case that anything in New York … Continue reading →

Posted in Market Insight, Neighborhoods | 1 Comment

I Don’t Know Much About Commercial Real Estate

Posted on July 17, 2006 by Doug Heddings

But I do know that, in the past, the state of commercial real estate market has often been an indicator of things to come in the residential market.  That is precisely why this piece from Globe Street grabbed my attention. … Continue reading →

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Manhattanite’s Top Complaint: Street Noise

Posted on July 14, 2006 by Doug Heddings

Outside our windows, we often are awakened, or just simply annoyed by the 5AM garbage pickup, the passing emergency vehicle, the rude honker impatiently weaving through the city streets, or the shouting and slurring bar patrons. So, it’s not at … Continue reading →

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Mr. Trump vs. Prince Bandar

Posted on July 13, 2006 by Doug Heddings

Donald Trump’s mansion in Palm Beach, Florida, on sale for $125 million, was expected to set the mark for the most expensive home in the US, but Saudi Arabia’s Prince Bandar has upped the ante. Christie’s Great Estates and Josh … Continue reading →

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Residential Property Auctions Gaining Steam?

Posted on July 12, 2006 by Doug Heddings

About 8 years ago I had the privilege of working with a buyer who was also a principal in one of Sydney Australia’s largest real estate firms. Not only was this gentleman stunned at the inefficiencies of the American housing … Continue reading →

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Prices Rising While Inventory and Interest Rates Do The Same?

Posted on July 11, 2006 by Doug Heddings

The Second Quarter Market Report prepared by Jonathan Miller of Miller Samuel Appraisers and released by Prudential Douglas Elliman shows that prices, inventory and interest rates are all climbing. Let’s not forget that The Corcoran Report prepared by Mitchell, Maxwell … Continue reading →

Posted in Market Insight | 1 Comment

City Streets: What’s In A Name?

Posted on July 11, 2006 by Doug Heddings

Have you ever wondered who or what streets are named after? If someone tells you to hang a right on Ludlow Street, don’t you, at least for a second, think "what’s a Ludlow?" The truth is there are tons interesting … Continue reading →

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