Does Using Lock Boxes “Lower the Bar?”
One of the Facebook discussion groups on real estate I frequent is the aptly titled “Raise the Bar” forum where we discuss best practices and making the industry better. Because real estate is local and customs and laws vary by region, opinions often vary. Many themes resurface from time to time, among them the the…Read More »
On the Ending of Corporate Titles for Agents and Brokers
Late last month, the New York Department of State issued an interesting opinion that effectively ended the practice of brokerages giving corporate titles such as “Executive Vice President” and “Managing Director” to their licensees. It was a practice mainly done in Manhattan (and we did name a VP once in full disclosure), and became so prevalent that it almost…Read More »
Marketing Wars in the Twitterverse
Inman News, the nominal online trade publication for the real estate industry, ran a contest last week for innovative marketing ideas on Twitter under the hashtag #MadRESkillz. It sounded like a bit of fun, and at the encouragement of Inman reporter Teke Wiggin, I offered a few of my own suggestions; I wrote about using…Read More »
The Broker’s Wife
Among the pitfalls of running a business with your spouse is the perception that the less gabby prominent or public half of the team is any less important or vital to the success of the organization. I am sure that this is the case in some businesses where the missus or hubby help on weekends…Read More »
The Wind at Our Backs
It has been weeks since I last updated this blog, and it isn’t writers block, indifference, or slow news days. I am busy. I don’t mean active, or experiencing the typical cyclical upswing of the spring season. I am busy. Really busy. I started the firm in late 2005, and it took me 9 months…Read More »
Hear it Direct, Forwarding the Real Estate Industry
This past Wednesday I had the privilege of being one of the industry panelists at a unique real estate conference at the Papermill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey called Hear it Direct. The format had group discussions with six home buyers, six home sellers, and six Generation Y buyers & sellers to discuss their experience and insights in the…Read More »
Think NAR Doesn’t Help You? Think Again.
The National Association of REALTORS is the largest trade association in the country. Most member Realtors join their association because it means MLS access, and don’t quite get the benefits of membership. This isn’t to say that everything local, state and the National associations do is right; I have been a vocal critic of NAR…Read More »
“Yours is the Hardest Business I Have Ever Seen.”
Weekends are busy in real estate, so you can imagine the feeling when my head sank into the couch pillow at 6:20pm when I remembered that I had to drive to New Rochelle meet with a client I promised to see. My client is a retiree, and straight shooter as well, and our conversations are…Read More »
Latest Stats Out of Philly Main Line
As the data below indicate, all is well in Villanova, Pa. I don’t hold a real estate license there, but a chunk of my heart remains. Go Wildcats. —————– Box Score for Villanova win over Georgetown GEORGETOWN VILLANOVA Points 57 67 FG Made-Attempted 23-50 (.460) 16-34 (.471) 3P Made-Attempted 7-18 (.389) 5-10…Read More »
January 2013 Westchester Real Estate Market Shows Health
Forget the fact that I’m busy. Forget the fact that we are seeing multiple offers far more frequently. Never mind that we have more buyers looking, more sales pending, and more offers being made. Ignore the 5 new construction listings the company now carries, which is an all-time high. Those are all anecdotal examples of…Read More »
Jenn Maher Joins J. Philip Real Estate
It is with great joy that we announce the addition of Jennifer Maher to the J. Philip Real Estate family. Jenn is among the most respected and admired names in the Westchester and Putnam real estate community. She is a current Vice president of the Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS, Chairperson of the Putnam Chamber…Read More »
I Am No Middle Man
AGBeat has an interesting article on how technology has eliminated many “middle men” from their respective industries, but that real estate brokerage has not been among the victims. It is a well done piece, and I agree that technology will never replace agents for many reasons. However, I do take issue with one thing:…Read More »
2012 Westchester Real Estate Market Wrap Up: Strong Finish.
More homes sold because prices same down. That would be one clear message in looking at the December sales figures for single family homes on the Hudson Gateway Multiple Listing Service in Westchester County. Transaction totals were their highest in six years with no special stimulus and buyer appear to be returning to the market in stronger…Read More »
State of J. Philip Real Estate 2012 Edition
With 2013 mere hours away I am pleased to close the books on another successful year that saw the company weather the challenges of the changing market and continue on the path of encouraging growth. We eclipsed some goals set in last year’s end of year report, fell short in others, and are set up…Read More »
Why the Journal News was Wrong About Publishing Gun Owner Information
In the aftermath of the Journal News’ recent publication of the identity of every handgun license in two counties, their claim that it would be good for starting a dialog on gun ownership is proving to be very wrong. There is discussion, not about guns, but about privacy and what constitutes responsible use of public…Read More »
Mark Zuckerberg is the John Wilkes Booth of Privacy
As a guy who is required by statute to respect the confidentiality of those who hire me, I can only shake my head at the violence done to online privacy by the current wave of popular Internet platforms. I don’t recall much of a hubub about privacy in the days that widespread use of the…Read More »
Equal Housing Opportunity. Equal Opportunity Employer. /
The Blind Spot in Consumer Research
We had our monthly company meeting today and discussed, among other things, how best to best help buyers in the purchase of their home. In the group discourse on what is important to a real estate consumer in 2013, the matter of consumer research was looked at critically. There are some basic truths: Brokers are…Read More »