Category Archives: Tips & Advice

The Traditional Real Estate Brokerage Model is Broken

Posted on July 21, 2009 by Doug Heddings

The traditional broker better rethink the ways in which they do business or suffer extinction.  The business model is suffering and despite the facade that all is well in residential real estate, I’m here to tell you that isn’t the … Continue reading →

Posted in A Broker's Job, Market Insight, Tips & Advice | 4 Comments

Market Commentary from Real Estate Agent Greg Cooper

Posted on July 20, 2009 by Doug Heddings

Greg Cooper is a former radio personaility turned real estate agent in Carmel, Indiana.  So what does he have to do with Manhattan real estate?  Check out his commentary on "The Market" and se more of Greg at http://www.gregcooper.tv: That about … Continue reading →

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Independent Contractor Agreements and Company Policy Manuals

Posted on July 13, 2009 by Doug Heddings

It has recently become clear to me that my real estate colleagues and I need to stay abreast of changes in company policy manuals.  If something doesn’t sit well, agents should insist on changes to their independent contractor agreements or … Continue reading →

Posted in Tips & Advice | 2 Comments

Manhattan Real Estate Market Is A Paper Wasteland

Posted on June 26, 2009 by Doug Heddings

The Manhattan real estate transaction is ANTI-GREEN!  It is archaic!  It is wasteful!  It is insane how much paper is wasted in one single real estate transaction in a day when scanners and digital images are so readily available and … Continue reading →

Posted in A Broker's Job, Market Insight, Tips & Advice | 6 Comments

Where Should Buyers Search for Property?

Posted on June 16, 2009 by Doug Heddings

The lack of an MLS (multiple listing service) in Manhattan has been the source of heated debate for years.  It continues to be a major topic of conversation as more and more websites pop-up both locally and nationally that aggregate … Continue reading →

Posted in Market Insight, Tips & Advice | 7 Comments

Seller Beware: Is Your Agent Protecting Their Best Interest?

Posted on June 9, 2009 by Doug Heddings

Those who are regular readers of TrueGotham know that this blog was born out of the necessity in my mind to dispel the used-car salesman persona of real estate agents.  Before I go further I want to say that I’m … Continue reading →

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Carnival of Real Estate #145

Posted on June 8, 2009 by Doug Heddings

I’m honored to have been asked to host the Carnival of Real Estate again this week and I am pleased to say that there were a lot of great submissions to peruse.  I had hoped to come up with some … Continue reading →

Posted in A Broker's Job, Fun, Market Insight, Tips & Advice | 4 Comments

Team Approach a MUST in Today’s Residential Real Estate Market

Posted on May 20, 2009 by Doug Heddings

If you’re considering hiring a real estate professional to market and sell your home in today’s challenging environment, may I strongly suggest hiring a team as opposed to an individual.  An increase in inventory paired with a decrease in the … Continue reading →

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Invisible Rooms Can Be Costly for Buyers

Posted on April 24, 2009 by Doug Heddings

Regular readers of TrueGotham know all too well my irritation at the mis-quoting of square footage.  I even did a 5 Part Web TV series to address just that topic.  It has unfortunately been determined that measuring square footage is not … Continue reading →

Posted in A Broker's Job, Market Insight, Tips & Advice | 3 Comments

Fair Housing Advertising Word and Phrase List

Posted on April 10, 2009 by Doug Heddings

This partial Fair Housing Advertising Word and Phrase List was recently disseminated to real estate agents throughout the country and suggests that you "Describe the Property – Not the People." The Fair Housing Act prohibits certain categories of discrimination in … Continue reading →

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