Category Archives: A Broker’s Job

Problems with Open MLS, and My Idea for a Healthier Industry

Posted on July 31, 2006 by Doug Heddings

We don’t have a multiple listing service here in Manhattan, so I’m not terribly familiar with it. But with the recent talk here of an open-source MLS, I thought it was only fair to pass along this insightful comment from … Continue reading →

Posted in A Broker's Job, Market Insight, Tips & Advice | 2 Comments

Friday’s Mixed Bag

Posted on July 28, 2006 by Doug Heddings

Doug’s boss, Prudential Douglas Elliman honcho Dottie Herman is talking about transparency in the industry. She talked about similar stuff a few years ago. Doug swears he has nothing to gain by raving about her, says this: "The primary reason … Continue reading →

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The Open MLS Institute

Posted on July 27, 2006 by Doug Heddings

I learned about this the Open MLS Institute the other day from the Inman Blog. Here’s what they do: The Open MLS Institute aims to bring competition to real estate markets in the United States by opening multiple listing services … Continue reading →

Posted in A Broker's Job, Market Insight | 1 Comment

How Not to Buy a New York Apartment

Posted on July 26, 2006 by Doug Heddings

Just got a disturbing email from a client. We have an exclusive agreement for me to sell her apartment. Last week, I showed the property to an attorney. He is representing his family, and by law attorneys are licensed real … Continue reading →

Posted in A Broker's Job, Dirty Real Estate Tricks, Tips & Advice | 3 Comments

Monday Evening: Douglas Heddings on WNYC

Posted on June 26, 2006 by Doug Heddings

WNYC’s Danyel Smith will be interviewing Toni Schlesinger and TrueGotham’s Douglas Heddings this evening for The Conversation. It should be at about 8:40pm on AM 820. You can listen online, too. The topics promise to include: the influx of new … Continue reading →

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How to Sell Your New York Apartment

Posted on June 26, 2006 by Doug Heddings

I have been friends with Douglas Heddings for years. And it’s a great thing to be friends with a good Manhattan broker–because if you need to make a big decision about buying and selling, you can call him for free … Continue reading →

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The Party is Over… Now Leave

Posted on June 23, 2006 by Doug Heddings

Despite the lull in the real estate market, large firms continue to hire like crazy from real estate agent courses that are still jammed with peoplewho signed up to reap the rewards of a market that was recently booming. For … Continue reading →

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Zillow Integrity

Posted on June 13, 2006 by Doug Heddings

Score one for open and honest dialogue. Regular readers will know that a few days ago I played around with Zillow, and found the newish Internet-based service to be a flawed way to price your property. That prompted a visit … Continue reading →

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When a Broker Falls in Love with a Penthouse

Posted on May 30, 2006 by Doug Heddings

When you do enough transactions in the real estate industry, the inevitable always happens… lost bidding wars, co-op board turndowns, and… well… um… uh… the expiration of an exclusive agreement before you have sold a property. Let me tell you … Continue reading →

Posted in A Broker's Job | 3 Comments

Pricing: Why Not Just Hire an Appraiser?

Posted on May 25, 2006 by Doug Heddings

Yesterday I stepped into the minefield that is defending real estate brokers. In the post and the comments, pricing your apartment is the big issue. I maintain a knowledgeable broker earns a good chunk of his or money with this … Continue reading →

Posted in A Broker's Job | 1 Comment